The feeling... you know what I'm talking about? That feeling that's in the air as you leave the stadium, turn of the T.V., log off MLB.TV, and your team is getting away from the series sweep. Everyone is smiling, funny jokes are heard on the parking lot, everyone is a gentleman in the subway, and it's all because their team won three games in an exciting sweep. Yeah, I don't have that feeling. Last night was a heart-breaking, soul-crushing, moral-killer loss against the Houston Astros. My feelings of revenge for the Astros reach an intensity strong enough that I ended up boycotting my Minute Maid juice this morning and go with a Budweiser (actually I just had a glass of water, but the Budweiser would be nice).

Tuesday's game didn't hurt as last night's game did, we lost and had no chance of getting back those runs we trailed, finishing the night in a 11-6 loss. Last night we lost 4-3 in a nail biter ending in a walk of RBI for Miguel Tejada. If it came down to pitching alone, the Cards won the game. Chris Carpenter threw an amazing game, going eight strong innings allowing only two runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out five and said: "These guys over here can play." He added later on that it was going to be a tough battle the rest of the season. I strongly agree with him.

Mark DeRosa put up the first run of the game with a solo homer off Roy Oswald in the fifth; that was his third home run in two nights. Two innings later with the game tied 1-1, Molina hit an RBI double bringing in Ryan Ludwick that scored when Iván Rodriguez couldn't hang on to the ball. As the game went on the ninth inning, the Cards had a one run lead; which Chris Coste quickly tied when Rodriguez came in on his RBI double. Then with Coste on third and Jeff Kepinger on first, came Kaz Matsui to the plate. He hit a grounder to second base, where Joe Thurston was playing as a defensive substitution. What came up next was the decision that produced the outcome of the game. If you see the play, when Thurston gets the ball you notice that Brendan Ryan moved up to second base, waiting for the double play, Kepinger stopped mid way afraid of being tagged, and Matsui was starting to run towards first. In my opinion Thurston had the double play in the bag. Instead he threw towards home to get the sure out; however, that brought Miguel Tejada to the plate that went on to hit a walk off RBI to end the game.

Molina hits an RBI double to take the lead 2-1 in the 7th

After the game Thurston said "it looks like we might have had a chance at two." He went on to add to his explanation of his decision, "but when I got it I kind of bobbled it a little bit. And I wanted to make sure. If we don't turn it, game over. I just wanted to make sure I got the sure out." Thurston was in the best position to make that decision, and one of the reasons we can't criticize him is, if baseball where so easy, why aren't you out there in the Majors. He did get the out, in a moment of doubt he made the decision that surely kept the game going and giving his team a chance in extra innings.

Coming into the series everything was A.O.K. perfect. We had a 'strong' two game lead and little to no fear of seeing that lead wiggle away. Currently with 51-46 record, we have a one run lead on the Chicago Cubs (48-45) and the Houston Astros (49-46). The only positive thing I can think of right now, is that we are playing one game tonight against the Nationals (28-66). After that it scares me heading into Philadelphia for an away series against the defending champs. Adam Wainwright (10-6, E.R.A. 3.01) faces rookie pitcher Collin Balester (3-7, E.R.A. 5.51) tonight at 6:10 CT. The Nationals have lost seven of their last ten; I'm hoping it is rather easy to win the game. Like Carpenter said, it will be a tough battle to win the division. The Redbirds have a good team, and if we could afford to get swept and still be in the lead we must be doing something right, that's why,

With these Cards, I'll go all in.

- Andy

One likes to think that my team is better then yours and that there is no way you can beat me with that talent on your team. Sometimes I make this mistake. But the thing is, a team's victory-winning streak-loosing streak does not really come from great players. Look at the Yankees this past couple of years, I'm not saying their a bad team, just that with the kind of names on that roster, they should have at least won once, maybe this year is their year. Still, a team with heart and that's hungry for the title will get it. Just like the Astros are doing moving up the standings and threatening the first place Cards. I want to present to you a video, made by the writers of Red State Blue State, an awesome blog you should all check out. They did this video called JESUS HATES THE CUBS which is pretty funny, you should watch it when you want a good laugh.

Carpenter doing work

Before I speak about last night's game, I'll give a brief summary of the games I haven't written about. I apologize to my four loyal fans, but I'm getting better at what I do, at least trying. I'm reading a book about Tony La Russa, and another about Roger Angell's work. Hopefully I will be done by the end of this week and there is some improvement to be seen in my writing. It all takes time, I'm new at this and I'm no expert, just a humble amateur baseball enthusiast.

Since the All Star game the Redbirds have won and lost two games. We started the series against Arizona with a great victory, Pujol's hitting two home runs and Carpenter pitched eight shutout innings ending in a 6-1 victory. Saturday's game did not go as planned, with the Diamondback's ace pitcher Dan Haren on the mound, there was little offense the Cards could produce. They fell 4-2 to Arizona and lost the second game of the second half of the baseball season. Sunday's game was an incredible performance for the Puerto Rican pitcher (nice!) Joel Piñeiro, who helped his own cause by hitting a 2 RBI double to get some runs on the scoreboard. On the mound he was nothing but heat, allowing one run on five hits and striking out three in seven innings.

Last night was bad luck for the Redbirds, as all their chances of getting back that one run lead failed. But they did not fail horribly or it wasn't the case that they had no chance. They were close; it's just that the Astros played a better game. The Cards lost 2-3 in a heartbreaking failed attempt to score in the eight, and the last inning ending in a double play. Kyle Lohse couldn't keep the runs down allowing three of them on five hits. The Cardinal's attempts to get the offense running weren't strong enough and came short. The good thing is that the Astros were four games behind, and the Phillies, allowing the Cards some wiggle room with their loss, pulverized the Cubs.

Mark DeRosa is back from the DL and the Cards are still leading the NL Central followed closely by the Chicago Cubs with a two game deficit and the Astros and Brewers with a three game deficit. With so many games left, the division is still up for grabs with four teams so close to each other. I would say this is what we want to see in baseball, obviously with your team the one who comes out number one, but it is still great to see a race for winning the division.

Tonight we face the Astros again with pitcher Todd Wellemeyer (7-7, E.R.A. 5.56) facing Wandy Rodriguez (9-6, E.R.A. 2.81). Pujols is still the leader in home runs and RBIs and the Cards still have an amazing lineup. Mark DeRosa was a great addition and with Troy Glaus recovering in the minors I am interested to see how Tony La Russa handles having both players on the team. We have a great manager being one of three that have 2,500 victories under their belt, and the leader in the Bigs with 34 HRs and 90 RBIs, that's why,

With these Cards, I'll go all in.

- Andy

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