INSIDE PITCH
There
are some pretty daunting numbers to illustrate the Cardinals' colossal four-game
nosedive, which began in Pittsburgh and continued in Washington the last two nights.
One number is 36. That is the number
of consecutive innings in which the Cardinals have trailed in those four games.
That is also the total of number of innings played. In every game, the Cardinals
starter allowed at least a run in the first inning -- Adam Wainwright gave up
two on Friday in a 10-0 loss to the Nationals.
The second number, or set of numbers,
is 32-1. That is the aggregate score in those four games, and the only run
scored by the Cardinals was unearned.
There has not been a streak of
futility like that since 1958.
The starting pitching has gone nine
games without a quality start and six games without completing six
innings.
But it is the offense that is the most
puzzling. It has combined for only 16 singles and three doubles in those 36
innings.
"We face good pitching all the time,"
said manager Mike Matheny. "This shouldn't happen to us one day, let alone
four.
"These guys are embarrassed right now.
We're all embarrassed. This is not the team we are. It's baffling to them as
much as it is to all of us."
But what should the first-year manager
do? "We shake things up," he said. "It's not like we're sitting around on our
hands.
"But as far as reinventing the wheel,
you've got to be careful. There's no reason to do something drastic."
Somehow, the Cardinals still hold the
second wild-card spot in the National League.
NOTES,
QUOTES
SS Rafael Furcal is out
for the remainder of the season, as the Cardinals feared. Furcal, who heard
something pop in his elbow while making a throw on Thursday, has a torn ulnar
collateral ligament in his elbow and might require ligament-replacement surgery,
which would entail a six- to eight-month recovery time. Furcal is under contract
for next season at $7 million. The tear was found during an MRI on Friday
morning in St.
Louis.
SS Pete Kozma was called
up from Class AAA Memphis when Rafael Furcal (torn ligament in right elbow) was
placed on the disabled list. Kozma, the club's first-round pick in 2007, went
0-for-2 on Friday. Daniel Descalso is likely to get most of the time at
shortstop with Furcal out although INF Ryan Jackson is expected to be recalled
from Memphis
after that club's season ends on Monday. Jackson saw some time at second base for the
Cardinals earlier in August.
RHP Adam Wainwright
lasted just 2 2/3 innings on Friday, tying the shortest start of his career.
Wainwright, lacking fastball command, gave up nine hits, most of them after he
was ahead in the count, and six runs after going 5-0 with a 1.47 earned run
average previously in August. After losing 10-0 to Washington, he said,
"This definitely was a loss you can pin on my shoulders. I did a horrible job of
putting guys away. I didn't pitch well, and it was a bad time not to pitch
well."
C Yadier Molina is not
moving well. He allowed three wild pitches on Friday after suffering sprains to
his upper body in a home-plate collision on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Manager Mike
Matheny, noting Molina was still having trouble with his left side and neck,
said he would sit Molina on Saturday after taking him out early in the first two
games he played upon his return.
INF Matt Carpenter, who
hurt his leg making a double-play pivot at second base during batting practice
on Thursday, largely has been unavailable the last couple of days. Carpenter had
X-rays, which were negative.
RHP Chris Carpenter, on
the fast track from July surgery to alleviate a nerve condition affecting his
right shoulder, threw two simulated innings of batting practice Friday. He might
pitch for the first time this season by the end of
September.
By the
Numbers:
1 - Number of runs the
Cardinals have driven in with a hit in the last five games. That was by RHP Kyle Lohse in a 4-3 win at Pittsburgh on Monday.
Quote to Note:
"We haven't showed up the
last couple games, especially me."
- RHP Adam Wainwright on
the sagging Cardinals.
MEDICAL
WATCH
SS Rafael Furcal (torn
ligament in right elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 31 and is
out for the season. He might need Tommy John surgery.
C Yadier Molina (strained
upper back, left shoulder and neck) was injured in a home-plate collision Aug.
28. Concussion tests were negative, but he didn't play on Aug. 29. He was back
in the lineup Aug. 30 but still was moving slowly Aug. 31.
1B Lance Berkman (right
knee inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 3. He began a rehab
assignment with Class AAA Memphis on Aug. 24, and he is expected to be activated
Sept. 1.
RHP Kyle McClellan (torn
labrum in right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 18 due to a
strained right elbow, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 30. He
threw on flat ground for the first time July 3, but he subsequently felt
shoulder pain. He had season-ending shoulder surgery July
10.
RHP Chris Carpenter (weak
right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he
was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 10. He threw for the first time since
March on June 13 and then threw another 40 pitches on June 15. He threw to
hitters for the first time June 22 but then had a setback June 25 when he felt
renewed weakness in the shoulder. He said it felt better the next day, and he
had an extensive throwing session off flat ground June 27. On June 28, he was
told he has thoracic outlet syndrome, which can cause, among its effects,
weakness in one's shoulder. He underwent surgery July 19 to relieve thoracic
outlet syndrome.
Link to boxscore: Washington 10, St. Louis 0