.....................4thebirds...

On-deck: The Cards are off today. They will start a seven-game homestand tomorrow that will feature day's off after each set. Tomorrow night the Pittsburgh Pirates come to town for a 7:15 p.m. CT game. It will be the first of a two-game set before a day off on Thursday.

Probables: PIT-Ian Snell RHP (4-10, 5.91) vs. STL-Braden Looper RHP (11-9, 4.07)

Birds' Perch: The Cards currently hold third place in the NL Central, 7.5 games behind the division-leading Cubs. The Brewers are in second place, 5.5 games behind the Cubs.

Wild Card: The Milwaukee Brewers are currently the NL's leader for the Wild Card, the St. Louis Cardinals two games behind them.

Competition on tap: The Cubs are idle today, but the Brewers play tonight in Houston.

• Troy Glaus -- 10 (in six games)
• Felipe Lopez -- 9
• Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols, Cesar Izturis -- 8

Barton activated: Brian Barton has been activated, the Cardinals finding room for him on the roster when Chris Carpenter was placed on the DL.

Gulf Coast League Cardinals (GCL): Lost 11-8 to the GCL Mets.

• Jose Rada struck out eight Mets in 5.0 innings.

Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie): Lost 11-1 to the Kingsport Mets.

• Edgar Lara went 2-for-3

Batavia Muckdogs (Low-A): Lost 5-1 to the Auburn Doubledays.

• Colt Sedbrook went 3-for-4

Quad-Cities River Bandits (A): Lost 11-4 to the Beloit Snappers.

• D'Marcus Ingram went 3-for-5
• Domnit Boliver went 4-for-6 with a double and a homer run
• Carlos Pupo went 2-for-4 with a home run

Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A): Lost 10-1 to the Brevard County Manatees.

• Antonio DeJesus was 2-for-4

Springfield Cardinals (AA): Won 3-2 over the San Antonio Missions.

• Brandon Yarbrough went 2-for-4
• Adam Ottavino struck out six Missions in 5.0 innings.

In a recent 4thebirds poll, you were asked which Cards would reach the 25-home run mark by August 15th. Last night, Rick Ankiel hit a home run at the Great American Ballpark, but that wasn't enough for him to reach 25.

In fact, only one Redbird elevated is round-tripper stats to the 25-homer level: Ryan Ludwick.

Ludwick now has 30 home runs on the season.

Next is Pujols with 24, one shy of our poll's ceiling. Ankiel has 23, and Troy Glaus has 21.

You were allowed multiple votes on the 4thebirds poll and 94% of you were correct in choosing Ludwick.

Eighty-eight percent picked Pujols, who didn't quite make the mark. Other who you were less sure sure about, and rightfully so, were:

• Rick Ankiel 47%
• Troy Glaus 17%
• Yadier Molina 1%

photo by Barbara Moore

• Lopez went 2-for-3, scoring two runs with a triple
• Albert Pujols went 3-for-5 with two doubles
• Ankiel was 1-for-4 with a home run
• Ludwick went 1-for-5 with a double

The Cardinals play the Reds tomorrow night at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinatti, Ohio, game time 6:10 p.m. CT.

Joel Pineiro is slated to pitch for the Cardinals, pitching against the Reds' Aaron Harang.

photo by Barbara Moore

Gulf Coast League Cardinals (GCL): Game #1:Lost 9-2 to GCL Nationals; Game #2: Lost 8-1 to the GCL Nationals.

• Braulio Hirlado went 2-for-3 with a double
• Ted Obregan went 2-for-3

Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie): Lost 6-4 to the Kingsport Mets.

• Paul Cruz went 2-for-4 with a double

Batavia Muckdogs (Low-A): Lost 2-1 to the Tri-City Valley Cats.

• Colt Sedbrook went 2-for-4
• Pitcher George Brown struck out four Valley Cats in 5.0 innings

Quad-Cities River Bandits (A): Lost 6-1 to the Beloit Snappers.

• Domnit Bolivar went 3-for-4 with a double
• Pitcher Charles Fick struck out five Snappers in 4.0 innings.

Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A): Lost 6-4 to the Brevard County Manatees.

• Tyler Henley went 4-for-7 with two doubles

Springfield Cardinals (AA): Lost 6-5 to the San Antonio Missions.

• Donovan Solano went 3-for-5 with a double
• Jose Martinez went 3-for-4 with a double

Memphis Redbirds (AAA): Lost 3-0 to the Round Rock Express.

• Josh Phelps went 2-for-3 with two doubles
• Pitcher P.J. Walters struck out nine Express in 6.0 innings

On-deck: The Cards take on the Red in the first game of a three-game series at Cincinnati tonight. Game time is 6:10 CT.

Probables: STL-Brad Thompson RHP (4-2, 4.34) vs. CIN-Bronson Arroyo RHP (10-9, 5.44)

Birds' Perch: The Cards remain in third place in the NL Central Division, 7.5 games behind the division leading Cubs, and 4.0 games behind the second place Brewers. The Brewers are currently the leaders in the Wild Card race.

Whatcha done for me lately? Ryan Ludwick has done it all lately for the Cards in the RBI department, batting in all three of the Cards runs in last night's 3-0 shutout over the Marlins.

Dominican Summer League Cardinals (DSL): Lost 6-1 to the DSL Phillies.

• Santo Sandoval went 2-for-4 with a double
• Luis Pimental went 2-for-3

Gulf Coast League Cardinals (GCL): Lost 7-6 to the GCL Marlins.

• Steve Hill went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBIs

Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie): Won 1-0 over the Greenville Drive.

• Jarred Bogany went 3-for-4
• Edgar Lara went 3-for-4 with two doubles
• Osvaldo Morales went 1-for-3 with a double

Batavia Muckdogs (Low-A): Won 5-2 over the Tri-City Valley Cats.

• Brett Lilley went 2-for-5 with a double
• Beau Riportella went 2-for-4 with a double
• Edwin Gomez went 1-for-4 with a double
• Scott Gorgen stuck out four in 3.1 innings

Quad-Cities River Bandits (A): Won 5-3 over the Beloit Snappers

• Brett Wallace went 3-for-5
• Francisco Rivera went 2-for-3 with a double
• Oliver Marmol went 2-for-4 with a double

Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A): Won 4-3 over the Brevard County Manatees.

• Luke Gorsett went 1-for-5 with a home run

Springfield Cardinals (AA): Won 6-2 over the San Antonio Missions.

• Brandon Buckman went 4-for-5 with a double
• Brandon Dickson struck out four Missions in 4.1 innings.

Memphis Redbirds (AAA): Won 2-1 over the Round Rock Express.

• Jarrett Hoffpauir went 1-for-3 with a double
• Mark Johnson went 1-for-3 with a double
• Jess Todd stuck out six Express in 6.2 innings

Seven solid innings from St. Louis Cardinals' starter Braden Looper and two rookie relievers managed to take the respectable output of their team's offense and turn it into a win versus the Florida Marlins last night.

In a 6-4 victory, Looper improved his record to 11-9, allowing five hits and two runs in 7.0 innings. Reliever Kyle McClellan, the rookie who doesn't seem like a rookie, did get knocked around a bit last night, giving up a couple runs. McClellan's appearance was uncharacterisitic of his usual performance, and he looked somewhat tired, as if his pitches didn't have the movement they usually do.

Reliever/sometimes closer/but never named as official closer/closer Chris Perez went the last two innings under what appeared to be a La Russa strategy that says, if it ain't broke, don't take him out of the darned game. This, even though Perez walked the first batter he faced. He pitched through the hindrance, still relying heavily on his mid-90s fast ball, which he threw at 97 mph five times in a row at one point.

The offense came through with probably just enough support for a Cards' win on a day when starter does okay and goes beyond five innings. Six runs was the tally, with Jason LaRue delivering what was probably the biggest impact swing of the game, a 2-RBI double to right-center in the seventh inning, a tie-breaker at the time, putting the Cards up 4-2.

Adam Kennedy probably couldn't wait to get back in a game after an atypical error on a ground ball a few games ago that cost his team a big inning. Last night, Kennedy went 2-for-2 and scored a run, but also contributed two sacrifice flies that accounted for two RBIs.

Other big offensive games were turned in by Skip Schumaker, who was 3-for-5, and Troy Glaus, who suddenly went perfect again with a 4-for-4 game.

Joe Mather, who by now is probably a hero in both St. Louis and Memphis, made a spectacular leaping grab to steal away a Marlins' home run late in the game.

The Cardinals have taken two out of three games from Florida so far as they attempt to win the four-game series tonight at Dophin Stadium.

photo by Barbara Moore

On-deck: The Cards play the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium in Florida at 6:10 p.m. CT. This is the last game of a four-game set, in which the Cards lead 2-1.


Probables: STL-Todd Wellemeyer RHP (9-4, 4.01) vs. FLM-Scott Olsen LHP (6-7, 4.04)

Birds' Perch: The Cardinals are in third place in the NL Central Division, 7.5 games behind the first place Cubs and 4.0 games behind the second place Brewers.

Wild Card: The Cards are 4.0 games out of the Wild Card leader right, who happens to be the Brewers.

Carp's return: Chris Carpenter has a mild injury to his pitching arm, and will miss his regular spot in tomorrow's rotation. He will return to the rotation after on the next time around.

Thompson fills vacancy: Pitcher Brad Thompson will fill in the vacancy of starter Chris Carpenter tomorrow in Cincinatti.

Whatcha done for me lately? Last night's game...

• Skip Schumaker went 3-for-5, scoring a run
• Jason LaRue went 1-for-4 with a 2-RBI double
• Albert Pujols went 2-for-5 and scored a run
• Felipe Lopez went 1-for-1 in a pinch-hitting role with a triple and scoring a run.
• Adam Kennedy went 2-for-2 and scored a run
• Troy Glaus went 4-for-4, hitting a double and scoring a run
• Joe Mather made a great catch at the left field wall
• Braden Loope went 2-for-3

Gulf Coast League Cardinals (GCL): Lost 4-3 to the GCL Dodgers.

• Rainel Rosario went 2-for-3
• David Medina went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run
• Braulio Horaldo went 1-for-2 with a triple
• Pitcher Chris Notti struck out five in 3.1 innings

Johnson City Cardinals (rookie): Pounded the Greenville Drive 19-8 in a slugfest.

• Curt Smith went 3-for-5 with a double and a triple
• Travis Mitchell went 3-for-5 with a double
• Ivan Castro went 2-for-4

Batavia Muckdogs (Low-A): Won 3-2 over Tri-City Valley Cats.

• Charles Cutler went 2-for-3
• Beau Riportella went 2-for-3 with a double
• Pitcher Adam Veres struck out eight Valley Cats in 5.0 innings

Quad-Cities River Bandits (A): Lost 4-2 to the Clinton LumberKings.

• Domnit Bolivar went 1-for-5 with a double
• Oliver Marmol went 1-for-3 with a double
• Pitcher Richard Castillo struck out seven LumberKings in 6.0 innings

Memphis Redbirds (AAA): Won 7-4 over the Round Rock Express.

• Nick Stavinoha went 3-for-5 with a double and a home run, collecting 3 RBIs
• Jarrett Hoffpauir went 3-for-4 with a double

On-deck: The Cards will play the third game of a four-game series with the Florida Marlins tonight at 6:10 p.m. CT at Dolphin Stadium in Florida.


Probables: STL-Braden Looper RHP (10-9, 4.20) vs. FLM-Ricky Nolasco RHP (11-7, 3.92)


Birds' Perch: The NL Central hasn't changed in the last few days, the Chicago Cubs atop the division, three full games ahead of the second place Milwaukee Brewers and seven games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.


Carp's quandry: May not be as bad as Cardinal Nation had feared. Chris Carpenter underwent further medical scrutiny in St. Louis yesterday by Cardinals' medical staff, affirming the strain to his right triceps. Carpenter will miss a turn in the rotation, but is expected to return to action on the next time around.


Whatcha done for me lately? In the theft department, these are the Cards' team leaders:

1. Cesar Izturis -- 15
2. Skip Schumaker -- 8
3. Adam Kennedy -- 7
4. Albert Pujols, Felipe Lopez, Brendan Ryan -- 6
5. Ryan Ludwick -- 4
6. Brian Barton -- 3
7. Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan -- 2
8. Joe Mather, Aaron Miles -- 1

Dominican Summer League Cardinals (DSL): Lost 11-3 to the DSL-Mariners.

• Wader Perez went 2-for-4 with a walk and a double
• Jaun B. Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a home run

• Joseph Hage went 4-for-5
• Curt Smith went 3-for-5
• Kevin Thomas pitched 5.0 innings, striking out three
• Reynier Gonzalez pitched 4.0 innings of no-hit ball, striking out six

• Arquimedes Nieto pitched 3.0 innings, allowing no hits and striking out four

• Domnit Bolivar went 1-for-4 with a home run
• Jared Bradford pitched 5.0 innings, striking out four
• Jameson Maj pitched 4.0 innings of no-hit ball, striking out four

• Daniel Descalso went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run, tallying four RBIs
• Paul Vasquez went 3-for-4 with a double
• Luke Gorsett went 3-for-5
• Shaun Garceau pitched 7.0 innings, allowing only one run on four hits, walking three and striking out seven

• Casey Rowlett went 4-for-6 with a double
• Donovan Solano went 3-for-5 with a double
• Justin Fiske struck out three
• Fernando Salas struck out five

• Brian Barton went 1-for-4 with a triple
• Jon Jay went 2-for-4 with a double
• Adam Wainwright struck out two
• Mark Worrel struck out four

Recently, a comment was left with a post:

"I love baseball, my husband hates crowds. Our Daughter bought us tickets
for our anniversary on Aug. 23. I have had cancer of the tongue twice, and I
wish the young players wouldn't use that chaw, because their at risk."

This is a great reminder of sorts that the tobacco products used orally by ballplayers (or anyone!) can lead to bad medical situations.

The good news about the observation made is that many of the "yound players" are actually using bubble gum, which is supplied by the barrel in the dugouts. For those others, we can only hope they abstain from the nasty habit, and though it is not their job to role model for youthful viewers, it is that very audience that is likely to follow the players' example.