I worked on air Saturday morning and reported to Missourinet affiliates and listeners that it would be difficult for the Cardinals to keep their string of five straight games of 14 or more hits alive against L.A.’s young ace Clayton Kershaw. I was right. They only managed 13 hits. The team is on a power surge, blowing out the Dodgers for a third straight game with a 9-2 final.

Allen Craig filling in for Lance Berkman did a great job, hitting a three run homer off Kershaw ending the lefties’ night in the fifth inning as he got tagged for five runs on six hits with five walks allowed.

Ryan Theriot went 3 for 5 from the leadoff spot and Albert Pujols picked up two more hits to bump his average up to .254. Craig didn’t miss a beat as Berkman was given the night off. He was the big hero with that three run blast and two more hits to go along with his three RBIs.

Kyle McClellan is 2-0. He went seven innings allowing a run on six hits. A very efficient night, throwing just 94 pitches wiht no walks.