All good things must come to an end. Despite being held to just four hits, the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning, but Ryan Franklin blew his fourth save of the season already giving up a walk off homer to Matt Kemp as the Dodgers beat the Cardinals 2-1.
Both starting pitchers were dominating today. Chris Carpenter went seven shutout innings allowing just five hits while striking out six. Chad Billingsley was even better, giving up no runs on two hits and two walks while striking out 11.
In the ninth, Matt Holliday doubled with two outs off L.A. closer Jonathan Broxton and Lance Berkman was intentionally walked. David Freese followed with a single to score Holliday.
In the bottom half of the inning, Tony LaRussa called on the lefty Trever Miller to face Andre Eithier who led off with a double. LaRussa then went to Franklin who gave up the home run to Kemp. By LaRussa going with Miller instead of Franklin, it shows that Tony may not be completed confident in his closer in trying to get all three outs. After this latest bullpen implosion, I doubt LaRussa will have any confidence in Franklin.
