Albert Pujols was not in today's lineup. The Cardinals didn't mind.
David Freese, Yadier Molina and the Cardinals defeated the Braves in St. Louis this afternoon, bringing the Braves losing streak to 9 games.
In the 1st inning David Freese hit a 3-run HR off the RF foul pole which was only the beginning of his excellent day at the plate. After Omar Infante doubled in a runner to cut the lead to 3-1, the Cardinals responded with a RBI single from Yadier Molina in the 4th and then a 3-run double from David Fresse to essentially end the game. Molina then drove in Freese to put the lead at 8-1.
Eric Hinske contributed for the Braves, driving in two runners with a single in the 6th. Jason Heyward also hit his 5th HR of the year with a rocket to RF off Dennys Reyes.
The Cardinals received insurance runs with a solo HR from Tyler Greene and an RBI-groundout from Joe Mather in the 7th inning.
That was your game. Red Birds win 10-4.
Good, Bad and Ugly after the jump.
The Good:
Yunel Escobar - He continues to hit from the top of the lineup. He went 2-for-3 today and raised his average to .215.
Jason Heyward - 2-for-4, HR(5)
Kris Medlen - 3IP 2H 1ER 2K 1B
The Bad:
Melky Cabrera (hitting leadoff) - 0-for-3, 1BB
Jair Jurrjens - He left with a strained hamstring after the 1st inning, but the 3-run HR he allowed probably crushed the Braves confidence. JJ needs to be healthy if this chance is going to have any chance of competing this year.
The Ugly:
Injuries - A sore hammy for JJ and a bad groin for Esco. Great!
Jesse Chavez - 2IP 5H 5ER 1BB/2K 1HR
Peter Moylan- 1IP 1H 1ER 2BB/1K
Nate McLouth - 0-for-4, 1K
What a mess.
Upcoming Game:
The Braves play the Astros tomorrow night in Atlanta to kick off a 3-game series. First pitch at 7:35EST. Tommy Hanson will be on the mound for the Braves and the Astros still haven't announced their starter. I'll be happy if there's more than 20,000 fans in the stands tomorrow night. I don't think I'd pay $5 bucks to watch this team play considering how they've played the last week. It's freakin embarrassing.
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Go Braves.