Fighting what a lesser team might look at as insurmountable odds, the Cards came out swinging Wednesday, dominaing all aspects of the game in a 10-0 win. Braden Looper shut down te Cinncincatti offense, throwing a 3-hit shutout. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ offense jumped all over Johnny Cueto, dusting him for 6 runs through 5 innings. Rick Ankiel and former Red Jason LaRue each hit big home runs in the top of the 1st to put St. Louis up 5-0 and Ryan Ludwick continued to mash himself out of a mini-slump with a solo shot to puncuate the win in the 7th.
Unfortunately the Cards could not close out the series in style, dropping the final game to the Reds 6-2. Joel Pineiro was solid in his first game back from the DL, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits over 5 innings. The bullpen let him down, however, as Mark Worrell (who got the loss) and Randy Flores each gave up 2 runs in relief. Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, meanwhile, was on his A game, allowing only 2 hits through 6 innings and adding a solo home run in the 5th for posterity. Yadier Molina was the only Cardinal hitter to manage multiple hits, going 2-4 to push his average to .298 in what is shaping up to be the best offensive season yet for the defensive standout.
