INSIDE PITCH
The
Cardinals thought they actually got a hit against New York Mets left-hander
Johan Santana Friday night, but they weren't really whining about the foul ball
call made by third base umpire Adrian Johnson in the sixth inning when center
fielder Carlos Beltran's liner down the third-base line appeared to kick up
chalk.
"I thought the ball was fair," said
Beltran. "But at the end of the day, one hit doesn't make any difference in the
ballgame. We needed to score runs and we didn't do it tonight."
The Cardinals were beaten 8-0 in a
game that wasn't quite as one-sided as the score might appear.
Third-base coach Jose Oquendo disputed
Johnson's call but didn't criticize Johnson afterward.
"The ball hit the line," said Oquendo.
"But there's nothing you can do about it. We didn't lose the game on
that.
"I know (Johnson) is doing the best he
can."
Manager Mike Matheny, frustrated by
his team's recent slide (six losses in eight games), lamented that Beltran's
drive, had it been a hit, would have given the Cardinals a man at second in the
sixth inning of a 2-0 game.
"We're right in the game," said
Matheny. "We get somebody on base and things start to change."
But Matheny had high praise for
Santana and his signature changeup. "His changeup was too good," said Matheny.
"It made his fastball look like 100 (miles an hour)."
Besides, said Matheny, "It isn't like
there's going to be an asterisk by it (in the record book). We aren't spending
any time thinking about (the foul-ball call)."
NOTES,
QUOTES
LHP Jaime Garcia, who is
missing a start after having some inflammation in his left elbow, still is in
St. Louis being treated and might well miss his next scheduled start Tuesday in
Houston. The Cardinals had RHP Brandon Dickson, a potential starter, on their
club, but he was optioned to Class AAA Memphis on Thursday and would have to
remain there for 10 days unless somebody is put on the disabled list. General
manager John Mozeliak said the team will determine Monday if Garcia has
recovered enough to pitch in Houston.
CF Jon Jay has been told
not to swing a bat for at least the next week. Jay, who has been bothered by a
shoulder separation suffered on April 19, was going to do some rehabilitation
work at the Cardinals' spring training camp in Jupiter, Fla. But Jay had an
adverse reaction to an anti-inflammatory shot before heading to Florida. That caused the
pain that sent him for a second opinion in Miami. He likely is out for 10 days or more.
Jay, hitting .343, hasn't played since May 14.
CF Carlos Beltran, who
used to play center field for the Mets, made his first start at that position in
nearly two years on Friday. He was unable to catch up to a wind-blown double by
Mets 3B David Wright that led to a two-run inning in the
fourth.
RHP Adam Wainwright had
pitched hitless ball until the fourth inning but gave up two runs in that
inning, three more in the sixth on a homer by RF Lucas Duda and two more in the
seventh as he suffered his sixth loss against four wins. Wainwright had given up
only one run in his previous 15 innings.
LHP Sam Freeman, recalled
from Class AAA Memphis earlier in the day, made his major league debut in the
seventh inning, walking two, striking out one and allowing one run on one
hit.
RHP Maikel Cleto, brought
up from Class AAA Memphis, fanned two in a scoreless eighth and got his fastball
up to 98 miles an hour.
By the
Numbers:
8 - No-hitters pitched
against the Cardinals. The last one before Friday was by LHP Fernando Valenzuela
of the Los Angeles Dodgers in June 1990.
Link to related article: ”Cardinals no-hit for 8th time in team history”
Quote to
Note:
"I'm not happy about it.
But, at the same time, he's a good man."
- CF Carlos Beltran on
the no-hitter pitched by New York LHP Johan Santana, a former teammate with the
Mets.
MEDICAL
WATCH
2B-OF Skip Schumaker
(strained right hamstring) was injured May 30 while playing right field. He went
on the disabled list June 1.
3B David Freese (mildly
sprained right wrist) did not play May 28-31. He was back in the lineup June
1.
LHP Jaime Garcia (left
elbow) experienced discomfort after his May 26 start. An MRI showed no damage,
and after missing a turn, he might be back June 5.
OF/1B Allen Craig (left
hamstring strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 17. He was
activated June 1.
CF Jon Jay (separated
right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 15. He was told to not
swing a bat for a week, which means he'll be inactive through about June
7.
INF Matt Carpenter
(strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list May
23.
1B Lance Berkman (torn
meniscus in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list May 20. He had
arthroscopic surgery May 25, and no ACL damage was found. He might return in
mid- to late July.
RHP Kyle McClellan
(strained right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list May
18. He won't need surgery but likely will be sidelined at least late
July.
RHP Scott Linebrink
(right shoulder capsulitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to
March 30. He felt tightness during an April 30 bullpen session, and he didn't
appear close to a return.
RHP Chris Carpenter (weak
right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He
probably won't pitch until at least late July.
Link to boxscore: New York 8, St. Louis 0