INSIDE PITCH
The
disappointment hitting coach Mark McGwire felt after a stretch of 12 games in
which the Cardinals scored three runs or fewer 10 times was eased by a visit to
cross-state rival Kansas City.
After scoring seven runs in three
games at Detroit, the Cardinals erupted for 30 runs in
three games against the Royals, sweeping the interleague series with an 11-8
wrap-up win Sunday.
The Cardinals had 42 hits in the three
games.
One of the few downsides was that
right-hander Lance Lynn wasn't able to post his 11th win with such offensive
largesse. He had leads of 3-0, 5-2 and 6-5 but got a no-decision when he gave up
six runs in 5 1/3 innings. Showing perhaps some weariness for the first time
this season, Lynn, in his first year as a major league
starter, has allowed 11 runs over his last 10 2/3 innings in two
games.
Manager Mike Matheny said of Lynn, "I don't think he
was delusional thinking he was going to roll through this league without some
bumps."
Lynn, who is 10-3, said he felt the
best Sunday that he had felt all season. However, he acknowledged the last two
games "were both really bad. They were the worst two starts of my
career.
"I'm giving up too many hits and too
many runs. I've got to pitch better, plain and simple."
After dropping to .500 for the fifth
time this season, the Cardinals returned to three games over for the first time
since May 31.
There were six home runs Sunday, four
by the Royals, but the key plays in the game were much quieter.
With the score tied at 6-6, Matt Holliday stole second with two outs in the seventh inning. Holliday then scored
the go-ahead run on a single by David Freese, who continued to star in the
bottom of the inning.
The Royals had runners at first and
third with two outs when Billy Butler hit a tough slider from right-hander
Eduardo Sanchez but didn't hit it very far. The
ball trickled toward third, where
Freese charged hard, made a barehanded grab and a strong throw to first to nip
Butler.
"Big turning point in the game,"
Matheny said.
NOTES,
QUOTES
DH Carlos Beltran,
returning to Kansas City for the first time since he was traded by the Royals to
Houston eight years ago, got the Cardinals off and running with a three-run
homer in the first inning Sunday. Beltran, who has 20 homers and 56 RBI, both at
the top of the charts of the National League charts, went 5-for-15 with eight
RBI in the three-game series.
RF Allen Craig knocked in
two key insurance runs in the ninth inning after SS Rafael Furcal was walked
intentionally to load the bases. Craig, who injured his left wrist in Detroit when he failed to make a diving catch, went into a
1-for-15 slide but finished the Kansas
City series by going 4 for his last 6 with five RBI.
Craig said the wrist injury "was not affecting my swing at all. I'm out there
playing. If I'm out there playing, there are no excuses." Craig also made a good
over-the-shoulder catch in the outfield Sunday.
RHP Chris Carpenter, who
has been out all season with a weak shoulder, will throw to hitters for the
second time Monday in Miami, and then he is expected to go on a
rehabilitation option. He might make three to four minor league starts before
potentially rejoining the team in mid-July.
1B Lance Berkman,
recovering from right knee surgery of last month, will meet up with the team
Friday at the start of the next homestand. "He's not too far from seeing some
baseball activity," GM John Mozeliak said.
The Cardinals' designated
hitters, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday, went a combined 7-for-15 with nine
RBI in the three-game series at Kansas
City.
By the
Numbers:
8-7 - The Cardinals'
interleague record this season.
Quote to Note:
"They're hitting my
mistakes, where before I was getting away with them. I've got to stop making so
many mistakes."
- RHP Lance Lynn, who has
had two rough outings in a row.
MEDICAL
WATCH
LHP Jaime Garcia (left
shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 6. After
further examination, it was determined that he has tearing in his rotator cuff.
He won't throw until at least late July and is out until at least
mid-August.
1B Lance Berkman (torn
meniscus in right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list May 20. He had
arthroscopic surgery May 25, and no ACL damage was found. He might be able to
resume baseball activity in late June.
RHP Kyle McClellan
(strained right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list May
18. He won't need surgery but likely will be sidelined until at least late
July.
RHP Chris Carpenter (weak
right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he
was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 10. He threw for the first time since
March on June 13 and then threw another 40 pitches on June 15. He threw to
hitters for the first time June 22, and he might be ready to start a rehab
assignment in late June or early July.
Link to boxscore: St. Louis 11 at Kansas City 8