So far this season, it has been hard to believe that Jaime Garcia is a rookie. He once again showed the poise of a veteran as he bounces back from a terrible start to shut down the Milwaukee Brewers last night at Busch 5-0.
Garcia’s last start was one to forget. He would last only two innings in Kansas City on Sunday. He would give up five runs as the Redbirds went on to lose to the Royals 10-3.
Last night, Garcia was back on track. He would go seven innings, giving up just three hits while striking out seven. After getting out of a bases loaded jam in the third, Garcia would set down the next 12 Brewers he faced.
The Cardinals would get on the board in the first, as Albert Pujols ground into a double play that scored Felipe Lopez. Nick Stavinoha would then hit a single to score Matt Holliday, putting St. Louis up 2-0.
In the third, Pujols would drive in another run. This time a sacrifice fly that would once again score Felipe Lopez.
Tyler Greene, just called up from Triple A Memphis, would hit a home run in the fifth to stretch the lead to 4-0. Greene was playing in the Majors for the first time since May 16th.
The Redbirds would add more one run in the eighth thanks to an RBI single that would score Lopez. Lopez would finish the night going 3-4 and scoring three times.
Before the game, the Cardinals made some roster moves as reliever Fernando Salas was sent back to Memphis. It was thought that Ryan Ludwick, sidelined with a strain to his calf, might be able to play this weekend. That will not happen as he was placed on the disabled list after feeling pain in the calf while working out before last night’s game.
Game three of the four game series will be this evening as Chris Carpenter goes for his 10th win of the season against the Brewers Manny Parra. Game time is 5:35.
