Todd Wellemeyer continued to be the biggest of several big surprise contributors for the Cardinals this year, allowing only 1 run on 6 hits over 7 innings to put his record at a dazzling 6-1 on the year with an ERA of 3.16. The bullpen had some trouble with the Pirates’ hitters but held on to secure a 5-4 win last night. Ryan Franklin earned his 5th save of the year by recording the final out in the 9th, despite giving up a run on 2 hits in the process.
Albert Pujols led the offense, going 2-3 with 2 RBI on the game to push his average to .364 and hit his 14th home run of the year off Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke in the 1st inning. Joe Mather, one of the Cardinal’s top outfield prospects, went 1-4 with an RBI in his first big league appearance since getting the call after Chris Duncan’s demotion. Wellemeyer and Cesar Izturis each chipped in with an RBI while Yadier Molina was 2-4 with a run scored.
With Joel Pineiro on the 15 day DL with a pulled groin, Mike Parisi (0-1, 2.87 ERA) will get his first big league start tonight at 6:15pm (Central time) against Pirates lefty Paul Maholm (2-5, 5.11 ERA). On a side note, Chris Carpenter, Jason Isringhausen, Brad Thompson, and Matt Clement will all be throwing simulated games over the next few days as they begin to rehab their various injuries. For Carpenter and Clement, it will be their first time facing live hitters this season. Another injured Cardinals starter, Mark Mulder, has announced that he will retire if his most recent arm injury forces him into a 3rd surgery. Despite the fact that this group of injured pitchers includes 3 of the team’s projected starters, Dave Duncan and the group of misfit toys he has collected in his pitching staff have the second-best ERA (3.77) and second-most wins (25) in the National League.
