Hurray! At last! Today really was the day! Our long Cardinals nightmare is over! That’s finally a winner!

And what a way to break out of a slump — 13 runs on 17 hits, while holding the Pirates scoreless and only allowing five hits. The 13 runs are, of course, more than the Cardinals scored in total during the entire seven-game losing streak.

The streak that thankfully is now in the past. And hopefully the cold bats are as well.

Here’s a quick recap of the game from Jenifer Langosch at Cardinals.com.

Despite all the (very welcome) offense, let’s hear it for Joe Kelly — although, with two hits and a run scored, he was definitely part of that too. But he’s now had back-to-back scoreless outings totaling 12 1/3 innings. He is staying in the rotation, right?

Here’s hoping he’s doing a little of this in the locker room tonight too.

The Cardinals now take a happy (and short) flight to Cincinnati, where they begin a three-game series Friday night against the Reds. Best thing about that (to me, anyway)? I’ll be there — and hoping to see Shelby Miller triumph over Bronson Arroyo. Game time is 6:10 p.m. Central Time.


Christine Coleman is the creator, lead writer and editor of Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.