The last time he blew a save, I said it might be time for the Cardinals’ thinktank to start coming up with a contingent plan for closer Jason Isringhausen. After his 5th blown save of the year (and 2nd consecutive), it is Isringhausen, himself, who is saying it is time to “figure out what to do.”
The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a solo blast by Albert Pujols, a bases-loaded single by pitcher a Todd Wellemeyer then walk by Cesar Izturis. Wellemeyer pitched well on the day, giving up 2 unearned runs over 6 innings and the rest of the bullpen held the lead until they handed it to Izzy in the 9th. He got 2 quick outs, looking like he had shaken off the rust of his previous blown save, but his 3-2 lead fell apart just as quickly as he gave up 2 runs with those 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and the Cardinals left the game with their first 3-game losing streak of the season.
The Cards will try to get back on track this afternoon at2:40pm (Central time) as they send Joel Pineiro (2-2, 4.43 ERA) to the mound against Brewers’ ace Ben Sheets (4-0, 2.29 ERA).
