There are no ties in baseball…unless it’s spring training. The Marlins scored three runs in the 8th inning to tie the Cardinals at 5-5 and that’s how it would end in 10 innings in Jupiter, Florida.
Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus, and Rick Ankiel each had two hits and Ankiel drove in two runs. The Cardinals managed 14 hits, five walks, and reached on four errors, but left 34 on base and couldn’t take advantage of numerous opportunities.
Blake Hawksworth pitched 2.2 innings allowing no runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Royce Ring, acquired in the off season pitched an 1.1 innnings without allowing a run.
Comments from Tony LaRussa will be posted soon.
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Cards and Marlins tie 5-5
February 25, 2009 By
Strings could prompt Missouri to say "no thanks" to some stimulus dollars for unemployment
February 25, 2009 By
Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (R-MO) and legislative leaders are expressing concern over strings that are attached to the federal stimulus money that could be headed to Missouri to help with the unemployment situation. Kinder says no one really realized what was in the bill because no one had actually read it before voting on it.
Kinder was those taking part in a Wednesday morning news conference outside the Capitol say in order for the state to accept federal dollars for unemployment benefits, the state must change its unemployment compensation laws to put added financial pressure on businesses. Legislative leaders say they have no interest in taking money like this with strings attached.
"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stipulates that states must have permanent revised law in place to deal with unemployment compensation," says Kinder. "The Act calls for states to extend benefit periods beyond normal terms and also opens up unemployment benefits to persons not eligible under current state law."
Senate Leader Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) fears that while there will be some immediate relief to deal with the unemployment situation, the federal government demands much more in the future.
"There will be dollars that we turn away because there are so many strings attached that it creates problems within our state," states Shields. "And we can’t sustain something after those dollars leave our state, and this is perfect example."
Shields adds, "There are times when the cure is worse than the illness and this may be one of those cases where the strings that come attached to this create more problems than the money actually provides."
House Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) has no intention of taking money with strings attached.
"We’re not going there, and we’ve had a couple of Governors already say they’re not going to take stimulus money," says Richard. "This may be the first start we’re not going to take it on the unemployment side and the House is firm."
Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan, who took part in the news conference, takes exception to what he sees as a new mandate requiring businesses to put more money into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
"Employers pay a tax to fund the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund from which benefits are paid – that is the pot of money that funds unemployment insurance in Missouri," says Mehan. "So, it would be a tax increase … and it would be shouldered by Missouri’s small and large businesses."
Senate Republican officials have put together a summary of the federal stimulus provisions as they pertain to unemployment money. The summary states that while the time period during which benefits would be paid will be extended, along with an additional $25 weekly benefit, other unemployment-related dollars would only flow to Missouri and other states if permanent legislative changes are made.
Bears lose on Senior for first time in 20 years
February 25, 2009 By
On Senior Night at JQH Arena in Springfield, the Missouri State Bears took a 13-point lead on a jumper by Will Creekmore with 16:34 left in the game, but visiting Creighton stormed back with 42 points the rest of the way to win 65-59.
The Bears never trailed until a three-pointer by Casey Harriman at the 6:57 mark of the second half put Creighton (24-6, 13-4) up 48-47. On the Bluejays’ next possession, Harriman answered the bell again with another trey to extend the CU advantage to 51-47.
Missouri State (11-18, 3-14) fought back on a traditional three-point play by senior Wade Knapp just moments later to make it 51-50, but the Bluejays responded on the other end on a similar three-point bucket and free throw by Cavel Witter.
Senior Chris Cooks tied the game, 57-57, on a pair of free throws for the Bears with 1:59 to play, but the dagger came at the 1:15 mark when Harriman hit his third three-pointer during the comeback run to give the Bluejays a four-point lead, 62-58.
Cooks, who had 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds, got to the line with 56 seconds to go, but made just one of the two charity line opportunities to make it 62-59.
Witter then made the shot of the night with 20.3 to play to give Creighton a five point lead. Spencer Laurie’s three-point attempt on MSU’s next possession was off its mark, and Justin Carter made a free throw with four seconds left to help Creighton keep pace with Northern Iowa in the Valley standings with a 65-59 win.
Missouri State closes out the regular season Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at Indiana State (9-20, 6-11) before playing in the State Farm MVC Tournament opening round game as the No. 10 seed at 8:35 p.m. on March 5 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Story courtesy of Missouri State athletics
Mizzou-Nevada moved to Friday night
February 25, 2009 By
For the second time for the 2009 football season, the Missouri Tigers will be playing on another night other than Saturday. First it was Mizzou-Nebraska, now the Nevada game has been picked up by national TV.
Missouri’s football game at Nevada has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 26, to Friday, Sept. 25, so the game can be shown on ESPN. Kickoff will be at 8 p.m. Central time. The Tigers will also play Nebraska on Thursday, Oct. 8th.
9/5 Illinois (at St. Louis)
9/12 Bowling Green
9/19 Furman
9/25 at Nevada (Friday)
10/8 Nebraska (Thursday)
10/17 at OSU
10/24 Texas
10/31 at Colorado
11/7 Baylor
11/14 at K-State
11/21 Iowa State
11/28 Kansas (at Kansas City)
Baseball is finally here…sort of
February 25, 2009 By
The first pitch in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues will be thrown today as the Cardinals and Royals start their journey to opening day in April. Yes, the games don’t mean anything, but it symbolizes that we’re one step closer to spring and warm weather here in Missouri.
Royals manager Trey Hillman’s lineup today against the Rangers could feature many of the regulars we’ll see opening day, April 6 th in Chicago. Coco Crisp will lead off and play center with shortstop Mike Aviles batting second and David DeJesus in left. Newly acquired Mike Jacobs will DH and Billy Butler will play first. Alex Gordon at third, Mark Teahen gets his first shot at second. Miguel Olivo will catch and Willie Bloomquist who is competing with Teahen at second will start in right.
Horacio Ramirez, could be vital to this pitching staff will throw the first couple of innings. Ramirez can pitch long relief or even start which over the long haul of the summer could be a valuable tool for Hillman.
In Florida, Tony LaRussa’s lineup will look nothing like his opening day on April 6 th against Pittsburgh. Today, six outfielders will be in the starting nine.
Rick Ankiel CF, Ryan Ludwick RF, and Colby Rasmus LF will be joined by Chris Duncan who will DH, Skip Schumaker who looks to covert from outfielder to second basemen, and Joe Mather another outfielder who takes his stab at third as the Cards look for a fill-in until Troy Glaus returns from shoulder surgery.
Starting on the mound with be Blake Hawksworth, once a top pitching prospect who has had his share of injuries.
