May 16, 2012

Rain Shuts Out Game 5

For the second time this NLCS, rain has postponed a game between Tom Glavine and Jeff Weaver. Both pitchers were scheduled to pitch in Game 1 that was rained out and both were set to start again last night. The rain gave players on both teams a bit of needed rest. Due to the series opener being pushed back, the teams were supposed to play five games in five days. They did manage to get in four games in four days with the two teams splitting two games apiece. Now, it looks like they will have to play the final three games all in succession. Game 5 is rescheduled for tonight in St. Louis, while Games 6 and 7 are to be played in New York on Wednesday and Thursday.

The bad weather might have helped both Weaver and Glavine who will be pitching on regular rest now instead of short rest. But, there are other injury concerns in the Cardinals dugout. Albert Pujols is nursing a tight right hamstring and Scott Rolen is still suffering from a bad shoulder.

Pujols’ nagging pain has limited his ability at the plate. The reigning National League MVP has only four hits and no RBI in the four games.

Talent Turns Aggressive in Springfield Debate

Senator Talent took an aggressive tone during his debate with Claire McCaskill in Springfield. Talent, a Republican, criticized McCaskill during his opening statement for not paying property taxes for three years on property she owned in Jackson County, for what he termed a lackluster performance as Jackson County prosecutor, noting that a person in the office was accused of abusing meth. Talent also renewed criticism of McCaskill for not fully disclosing the sources of her husband’s income. McCaskill responded by saying that Talent took a lot of time attacking her, because he doesn’t have issues to talk about. McCaskill said she wouldn’t spend the time to attack Talent or even attempt to correct what she perceives as mischaracterizations of her record. Talent, though, made no apologies for his aggressiveness, which he displayed throughout the debate sponsored by KYTV, Ozarks Public Television, KSMU and the Springfield News-Leader. He returned to the theme in his close, stating that her record as an auditor and as a prosecutor is relevant, because she’s running on it. Talent says McCaskill’s record is questionable in many respects.

McCaskill defended her record during her close. She stated the property taxes weren’t paid during a period when her brother lived in a condominium her family owned. McCaskill said she paid the taxes as soon as it was brought to her attention. She insisted that she called for the special investigation into her office when she discovered that someone had been abusing meth in her office and she said that the special investigation cleared the office of any wrongdoing. McCaskill also said that crime went down in Kansas City during her tenure as Jackson County prosecutor.

The debate was held in the studios of KYTV. The two meet for one more debate, on Wednesday, in Kansas City.
Related web sites:
Talent for Senate
McCaskill for Senate