Joel Pineiro did not have his best stuff today, lasting only 5 innings and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, but the Cardinals played well enough to win until the 8th inning, when, with a 5-4 lead, recently-demoted closer Jason Isringhausen imploded, giving up 4 runs (3 earned, although the unearned run scored on an error by Izzy) in 1/3 of an inning and leaving with his 5th loss of the year in what would turn out to be an 11-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Offensively, Chris Duncan, Albert Pujols, and shortstop Brendan Ryan were each 2-5, Duncan with 2 RBI. Yadier Molina continued his strong play, going 203 with an RBI and 2 walks, pushing his average to .302 on the year. Troy Glaus also continued warm up at the plate, going 3-4 with an RBI while Rick Ankiel added the Cardinals’ other RBI on the day.
The road doesn’t get any easier for St. Louis after dropping a series to the Pirates as they welcome one of the hottest teams in the AL to Busch Stadium to open up interleague play. Righty Andy Sonnanstine (5-1, 5.07 ERA) and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay …Rays come to town to face BRaden Looper (5-2, 4.21 ERA) tomorrow night at 7:15pm (Central time).
