Tag Archives: Milwaukee Brewers

In September, Matt Means BAMF For Cardinals

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9-21-13

Matt is really coming through for the St. Louis Cardinals this month.

Take your pick of which Matt — same story for all three. Each has been a slugging BAMF, though all three in different ways, throughout September.

And Matts Carpenter, Holliday and Adams all played a role in last night’s 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. All had at least one hit, which is the 10th time that’s happened in the 18 games all three have played in this month

Adams hit a two-run homer in the first inning — Holliday was not surprisingly on base — to put the Cards on the board. It was Adams second straight game with a two-run homer (and guess who was on base Friday night too?)

In the fifth inning, Carpenter doubled for the 11th time in September and 54th time this year. That set a new season record for left-handed hitters, as he surpassed the 53 hit by none other than Stan Musial in 1953.

Combined, the three had five of the Cardinals nine hits for the game — and just continued what they’ve been doing all month.

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Who’s Your Choice For Closer Now?

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Click to vote at the bottom of the post!

First, let’s start with the positive: the Cardinals won, the Pirates lost, the division lead is now two with eight games remaining in the regular season.

Getting to that win … yeah.

screen shotNot exactly easy to say “all’s well that ends well” when Edward Mujica melted down yet again and turned a 6-4 Cardinals lead to 6-6 by allowing three hits, a walk and the game-tying runs — all while getting just one out (even though the box score “officially” shows John Axford with the blown save). Mujica’s September ERA (to follow up on what I wrote about yesterday) is now 9.45 and he’s blown three of his last five save chances.

After Carlos Beltran hit a sacrifice fly to put the Cards back on top in the 10th — off former Card Michael Blazek, who was traded for Axford and thus produced this odd notification on my phone once the game ended — it was Carlos Martinez who pitched the bottom of the inning and recorded a 1-2-3 save following a quick talking-to from Yadier Molina after going 2-0 to the first batter he faced.

That was excellent to see. Could he be the new closer? Today’s his 22nd birthday. That would be a nice gift.

Or is it be time for Trevor Rosenthal, who so many have been clamoring for all season?

There also is the option — gulp — of John Axford, who was Matheny’s choice once he removed Mujica.

What do you think? Vote below.


Maybe tonight’s game can be a little less drama-filled … then again, Lance Lynn is starting. He faces Yovani Gallardo starting at 6:05 p.m. Central Time.


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

Lance Lynn Lives!

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There was a chance. After giving up a single and a walk, he had a moment … a small one, but a moment, nonetheless. In his defense, most anyone would have had a moment when the throw from Tony Cruz to Daniel Descalso ended up in center field, allowing the first run of the game to score.

Lynn is certainly allowed a moment of frustration there.

More often than not, though — at least as of late — that “moment” turns into a catastrophe. The frustration steals away his focus and BAM. It’s all over.

LynnI’ll admit it — I was ready for it. I was bracing for “in play, run(s)” to flash across my iPhone screen. I was even more resigned to it when Lynn promptly walked the next Milwaukee batter to put two on with two outs in the second inning.

Whether he wants to believe it or not, he was pitching for his rotation life last night. Based on the rumblings from the top of the food chain (i.e. John Mozeliak), the organization isn’t entirely pleased with the repeated “maturity” struggles. No one has ever questioned Lynn’s stuff. But, keeping the attitude and emotions in check? That’s been in question for a while now. Continue reading →

Lynn And Co. Can’t Quiet The Crew

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Apparently, the Brewers did their homework since the last time they faced the Cardinals. Of course, things have changed quite a bit for the Redbirds since then, too.

One inningLance “First Half” Lynn is tending toward the late-season struggles we hoped were a thing of the past. Jake Westbrook can’t seem to hold it together. Michael Wacha hasn’t been the rotation savior we’d hoped for. Neither has Carlos Martinez. Even Shelby Miller has shown signs of vulnerability after taking that line drive off his elbow a few weeks back.

And, the Brewers are the least of this rotation’s concerns over the next few weeks.

Last night, many will argue, was not really Lynn’s fault. A litany of innocent singles and a few less-than-stellar defensive plays quickly turned a 3-0 Cardinals lead into a 5-3 hole.

But, he had good stuff! They were only singles! Twice a double play could have/should have/would have been made if that slouch David Freese wasn’t manning third! Continue reading →

The Bird’s Eye View: Hey, Remember the Brewers?

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You do remember the Brewers, right? The team in Wisconsin, the one that was good in 2011, where this guy played until he got suspended for the season … (That gif will never get old.)

Since it’s been three months since the Cardinals played the Brewers, you might have forgotten about them. Did you know they’re not in last place in the National League Central right now? Learn more about that and catch up with the Brewers in the latest issue of The Bird’s Eye View from the United Cardinal Bloggers — I happened to write this one. If you don’t yet subscribe, click here. You’ll get a preview e-newsletter before each Cardinals series.

Birds Eye View HeaderSt. Louis Cardinals (71-52) at Milwaukee Brewers (54-70)
Aug. 19-21, 2013
Miller Park, Milwaukee


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Sixth Cardinals Win A Fitting Tribute To No. Six

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What better way for the St. Louis Cardinals to honor Stan Musial than with six hits and their sixth win on the night to honor No. 6? Perhaps there was one thing better: the pitching of Shelby Miller. The future of the Cardinals definitely triumphed over past Cardinal Kyle Lohse as the Redbirds beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0.

5168e5ba790b4.preview-620Beyond the game, the pregame tribute to honor Stan and the No. 6 in the outfield grass were pretty amazing as well.

Here’s a look at the good, better and best of the game.

Good

Let’s start at the end. On a night when pitching ended up the story, it was good to see Mitchell Boggs get his second save of the season. It was neither pretty nor easy as he gave up both a walk and a single with one out and had to face Ryan Braun as the potential go-ahead run. But Boggs struck him out for the second out, then Rickie Weeks for the final out. Whew …

Also good to see: Trevor Rosenthal with three quick outs in the eighth.

It was good as well to see Kyle Lohse do well in his return to Busch Stadium. The fans gave him a very nice, mostly standing ovation. And his final numbers in the loss — two runs, six hits, two strikeouts, no walks — would have pleased us all during his Cardinal days. Continue reading →