Todd Wellemeyer provided the Cardinals with exactly what they needed last night: a shut-down performance from their starting pitcher. The offense is still stranding a lot of runners and the bullpen still makes the calmest of Cardinal fans bite thier nails but none of that matters when you get the type of quality start Wellemeyer threw yesterday.
Wellemeyer gave up only 2 hits over 7+ innings and allowed one run, which was scored after he allowed a leadoff hit in the 8th inning and the runner came around on a hit allowed by Randy Flores. Offensively, it was the middle of the lineup doing the damage, as Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwick, Troy Glaus, Yadier Molina, and Cesar Izturis (the 3-7 hitters, respectively) each had an RBI. Rick Ankiel was 2-5 and Izturis was 3-5 but each stranded 3 runners, while Ludwick stranded 4. Troy Glaus had a nice game at the plate, going 3-5 with a run while Pujols continued his strong play with a 2-3 night, scoring a run and chalking up yet another intentional walk.
The Cards will look for another clutch performance from Joel Pineiro (2-2, 4.05 ERA) at 12:15pm (Central time) as he faces Pirates’ righty Ian Snell (2-2, 4.53 ERA).
