INSIDE PITCH
One of
the reasons the Cardinals have scored only one run in the first three games of
the four-game series in New York is elementary. They aren't hitting
the ball.
After LHP Johan Santana fanned seven
(walking five) in no-hitting the Cardinals on Friday night, Cardinals hitters
struck out 23 times, including 14 on Sunday night, and drew just three walks in
the next two games.
Good news: After 26 2/3 scoreless
innings, rookie CF Adron Chambers singled in 3B David Freese with two out in the
eighth inning. The two had nearly combined for a run in the sixth inning after
Chambers singled with two out but Freese was thrown out at home by Mets center
fielder Andres Torres.
Bad news: The Cardinals suffered their
fifth straight loss, 6-1, to the Mets. Against the Eastern Division, they now
are 3-11, including losing eight of their last 10 games to Eastern Division
teams.
"It's a little bit of everything. I
think they're pitching great. We're not hitting the ball; we're not getting on
base," right fielder Carlos Beltran said. The Cardinals were a season-high nine
games over .500 not so long ago. But most of that had been achieved against the
woeful National League Central Division, of which the Cardinals are
members.
While the Cardinals are 17-12 against
the Central and 7-4 against the West, they are eight games under .500 against
the more competitive NL East.
But at last the Cardinals avoided
being shut out for a third consecutive time since October, 1976.
"We ran into some pretty good
pitching. We ran into some at-bats that I think some guys would like to have
back," manager Mike Matheny said. "It's just one of those runs. The only way to
get out of it is to work."
NOTES,
QUOTES
CF Shane Robinson was in
the original lineup but was scratched when he experienced a migraine in the
afternoon. Rookie Adron Chambers, a later insertion, got two hits and drove in a
run.
RHP Fernando Salas passed
a kidney stone upon his arrival at Class AAA Memphis a few days ago. Salas has
pitched more comfortably since then.
LHP Jaime Garcia may yet
take his start in Houston on Tuesday after missing one because of
some elbow tenderness. Garcia was able to throw on flat ground in St. Louis over the
weekend.
RHP Jake Westbrook gave
up five runs and nine hits over five innings as he dropped to 4-5. He has worked
only 25 innings in his last five starts, none of them wins, and has given up 39
hits and 23 earned runs. He allowed a pair of hits to Mets LHP Jonathon Niese on
two-strike pitches, with the second one costing him a couple of runs on a homer
by LF Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
3B David Freese ended a
nothing-for-14 dive when he singled in the eighth and came around to score.
Freese's average, over .300 much of the season, has dipped into the .250s and
one wonders if his injured right hand, which cost him a few starts, actually has
healed.
By the
Numbers:
89-89 - Career record of
RHP Jake Westbrook, who suffered 6-1 loss at New York on Sunday
night.
Quote to
Note:
"I'm looking to make an
impact on the second part of the season."
- 1B Lance Berkman, who
had right knee surgery but hopes to be back around the All-Star break in July.
MEDICAL
WATCH
2B-OF Skip Schumaker
(strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May
31.
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 for his June 5
start.
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 6, St. Louis 1