The Cincinnati Reds pounded Cardinals’ starter Joel Pineiro for three home runs as the Cardinals lost 7-2 to fall a game behind Philadelphia for home field advantage in the opening divisional playoff series.
Pineiro hasn’t given up two home runs in any start this year, but outfielder Jay Bruce took Pineiro deep twice…once on a three run shot in the second and a two run homer in the sixth. Pineiro also gave up a solo home run to Joey Votto in the third.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals couldn’t do much against Homer Bailey who went seven innings while allowing just one run on seven hits, while striking out seven. Bailey is 5-1 in his last eight starts. His turnaround started just after his August 12 th start against the Cardinals was cut short in the first inning due to an injury.
David Freese hit his first major league homer, which came in the ninth inning. Albert Pujols went 1 for 3 and drove in his 133 rd run back in the fifth inning.
Bruce pounds Pineiro with 2 HR, 5 RBI night
Farnsworth"less" blows a save opportunity
The New York Yankees scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning off Royals’ reliever Kyle Farnsworth on the two hits that never made it out of the infield as the Royals lose 4-3 Wednesday night.
With one out in the ninth, Farnsworth was late getting to a slow roller. Then a single by Eric Hinske gave the Yankees first and third with one out. A sac fly tied the game at three. Hinske then stole second base and went to third on John Buck’s throwing error. Farnsworth intentionally walked Johnny Damon to take their chances on rookie Juan Miranda who scorched one back up the middle that hit Farnsworth’s shin and rolled into foul territory allowing Hinske to score the winning run.
That blew an opportunity for Anthony Lerew to pick up his first major league win who left in the seventh inning up 3-2. Lerew allowed two solo homers; one to Mark Teixiera, the other to Nick Swisher.
The Royals took the lead in the seventh when they scored two unearned runs that eventually came around after pitcher Phil Coke was charged with a throwing error at the start of a potential double play ball.
Rams Vobora suspended
David Vobora of the St. Louis Rams has been suspended without pay for the team’s next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Vobora’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Rams’ active roster on Monday, October 26 following the team’s October 25 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Vobora, was the NFL’s "Mr. Irrelevant" back in the 2008 draft when he was selected with the last pick by the Rams. Vobora was also featured on one of my Pressbox Podcasts after he was selected.
In a statement released by the Rams, head coach Steve Spagnuolo said, "Dave’s situation is unfortunate, he has been a vital part of our team, and we are disappointed that we will be without him for the next four games. However, we respect the League’s decision in this matter."
Gary Pinkel tries to use bye week to his advantage
In Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel’s weekly teleconference with the media, he said he doesn’t plan on setting up a schedule that has a Friday game, off week, followed by a Thursday game, but he’s making the best of the situation.
Pinkel said he and his staff have discussed since early in the year how they would approach practices and preparations for the Nebraska game on October 8th. He will some of this time for his players get over any bumps and bruises, but will also have some practices this week.
Happy with the way quarterback Blaine Gabbert has developed, Pinkel will turn to fixing the running game which has struggled. Listen to what Pinkel had to say below.
MU professor co-authors book to help choose elder care
A book co-authored by a University of Missouri professor helps when people need to make quick calls in finding long term care for their loved ones.
Marylin Rantz is a professor at the University of Misssouri school of nursing who began her research more than 15 years ago. The newest edition of her book, "How to Find the Best Eldercare," focuses on telling people the best ways to find long-term care, and in a short amount of time. She says the book covers common sense topics.
Rantz says other topics tackle tough decisions that might not be so common sense, others might take people by surprise.
She says the biggest change in long-term care over the past few years is the number of options available regarding in-home care, nursing home care and assisted living.
She says families need to weigh their care wishes with their savings. Elder care ranges between five and seven thousand dollars a month. In some cases, but not all, Medicaid kicks in once personal assets have been exhausted.
The book — "How to Find the Best Eldercare: A 20-Minute Guide to Assisted Living, In-Home Care, Nursing Homes & Senior Housing in Your Community" — is available through most retail book stores.
She says the book is both for those who are planning ahead for themselves and others, as well as those who are faced with the task of having to make a quick decision.
The book takes a "series of studies to learn about the best ways to help nursing homes do the best possible care," she says. "We’ve also learned a lot about how to judge the quality of care of nursing homes, what the best quality of care is and what that really means to consumers and healthcare providers. We’ve been able to summarize it so people can actually use it and make judgments."
