Joel Pineiro’s return to the rotation got off to a solid start, but went south in the 4th inning, leaving Brad Thompson-the man whose spot he took-to come in and stop the bleeding. Despite the bullpen’s best efforts, the damage was done and the Cardinals leave San Francisco with a split after a 7-4 loss to the Giants this afternoon, falling to 9-4 on the year.
Pineiro held a 2-1 lead going into the 4th, when everything seemed to go downhill. Already having scored 2 runs in the inning, the Giants got a lucky bounce when Brian Bocock’s 2 out grounder bounced off the glove of third baseman Rico Washington, who was making his first major league start. With the inning extended, the Giants would score 3 more runs to put the lead at 6-2, ending Pineiro’s day. In his first start of the year, Pineiro gave up 6 earned runs on 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Brad Thompson came in and shut the Giants down for the next 2 1/3 innings, but Ron Villone gave up a run in the bottom of the 7th. The Cards would score 2 runs in the 8th, one coming off a Ryan Ludwick homer, but it was too little too late as Giants starter Tim Lincecum had been able to hold an Albert Pujols and Troy Glaus-less Cardinals offense in check for most of the game.
The Cardinals will get a day off before returning to St. Louis to face Central Division foe Milwaukee Tuesday at 7:15pm (Central Time). The Cards will send Adam Wainwright (1-1, 3.60 ERA) to the hill against Brewers right-hander Dave Bush (0-2, 8.44 ERA).
