Tuesday News: Carp, Rasmus, Ryan, Craig, and Waino

Here are the top news tidbits from the past couple of days in the easiest way to read them, bullet pointed:

• Cards lost Monday to Red Sox 7-6. (Box Score) Evan MacLane gave up 2 runs in bottom of the ninth to get the loss.
• Carpenter got his first start of the spring in Monday's loss. He looked like he had a few kinks to work out. In his 2 innings, Carp gave up 4 hits but only allowed 1 run to cross the plate. At least he's not battling an injury. Knock on wood. And not that MDF stuff. Real wood.
• Cards lost again Tuesday to the Twins 7-6. (Box Score) The Twins scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the 8th. David Freese, who had an otherwise good day going 2-5, got picked off at first for the final out in the 9th.
• Wainwirght struggled in his first start of the spring against the Twins on Tuesday. In 2 innings, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and no strikeouts. Oh, and don't forget a wild pitch, too. But he'll be alright when the regular season starts up. Where's that wood again?
• Colby Rasmus continued his quick start on Tuesday when he ripped his second home run of the spring in the 5th inning. His first homer came against the Marlins' Josh Johnson on Saturday.
• Allen Craig is expected to make his much anticipated debut on Wednesday after missing the first 6 spring games with a sore left quad.
• Finally, Brendan Ryan is looking like he is ahead of schedule in returning to the field. He played catch on Monday and everything went well. Now, he is expected to be in the cages to swing the bat as early as Friday.

Pujols Out! Oh No...

Oh no.

All we heard all winter long was how Pujols was going to be playing for the first time in years with no pain.

And now we find out today that Pujols will sit out at least 2 games with discomfort in his back and will be reevaluated on Wednesday.

Mozeliak said: "I just spoke to one of our trainers back there working [at the Cardinals' complex in Jupiter], and he said [Pujols] feels good, much better. You want to be smart. You don't want to take something small and make it big."

Cards vs. Marlins Sunday Recap

Cards 7, Marlins 4
Box Score

Finally, we get to put a tally in the W column.

Joe Mather was the hero filling in for Pujols at first and went 2-3 and drove in 4 runs in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

Not to much else to talk about offensively, other than Molina going 2-2. But the real question is, what do we do with Joe Mather? He played first Sunday, but obviously that position will not get him any playing time. Mather's best shot of making the team would have been trying out at third base...before Felipe Lopez showed up. And he might have had a shot in the outfield...but we signed that Holliday guy.

So where do we put Mather? ...I hope you didn't expect me to have an answer. Because I don't. That is why I am asking you.

Pitching wise, 2 guys vying for that coveted final rotation spot both pitched well. Kyle McClellan got the win after throwing 3 innings of shut out, one hit ball while striking out 4. Rich Hill followed with 2 innings and gave up only one run on 2 hits. Not too shabby boys. Competition makes players play harder.

Cards have the Sox of the Red variety on Monday. Let's get win number 2.

Cards Spring Training Game 3 Wrap Up

Final Score - Marlins 6, Cards 5
Box Score

Strongest Link: Colby Rasmus (2-2, HR, RBI, R, BB)
Weakest Link: Cards Defense (2 errors, 3 unearned runs)

Though the Cards lost their third consecutive spring training game on Saturday, it was by far their most promising game yet.

Colby Rasmus continued his strong spring hitting a 2nd inning homer off of Marlin ace Josh Johnson. Jon Jay also compiled 2 hits in the game.

The Cards had some bright spots on the mound today as well. Lohse danced in and out of trouble for 2.2 innings and gave up only one run despite allowing 7 base runners. Jaime Garcia threw 3 innings of no hit ball and Ryan Franklin tossed 2 shut out innings of his own.

The only real trouble the Cards had was with their defense. The 3 unearned runs allowed in the 4th turned out to be the difference in the game.

All in all, it was the best game the Birds have played so far this spring. They're getting closer and closer every day. Lets see if they can get that illusive first spring win tomorrow.

Next Game: Sunday 12:05 central, vs. Marlins
What to expect: Kyle McClellan will get the start with Rich Hill, Blake Hawksworth, Dennys Reyes, and Josh Kinney expected to pitch as well.

Cards Spring Training Game 2 Recap

Final Score - Mets 7, Cards 3
Box Score

Strongest Link: Colby Rasmus (2-3, 2 RBI)
Weakest Link: Mitchell Boggs (2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER)

The Cards are now 0-2 this spring. They have actually been a fairly strong spring training team in recent years. The Birds have not posted a losing record in spring training since 2003 when they went 12-15-2. That was the only year in the last 10 years that the Cards were below .500 in the spring.

Brad Penny got his first look at live action in a Cardinals uniform on Friday afternoon. He wasn't dominant, but ended strong. After giving up 3 runs in the 1st, Penny hurled a scoreless second.

Penny was then pulled for Lance Lynn, who was very impressive. Lynn threw 3 hitless frames and struck out 3 batters.

Mitchell Boggs really hurt his chances today to take that open 5th position in the rotation. Coming in to a 1 run game in the 8th, Boggs pitched a scoreless inning, but came back for the 9th and gave up 3 runs.

Pujols, Molina, and Holliday were all in the lineup today after all three sat out the first Grapefruit League game yesterday. Yadi had a hit in 4 trips, Albert went 0-2 but did drive in a run, and Holliday reached base in all 3 of his at bats with a double and 2 walks.

Colby Rasmus was impressive at the dish going 2-3 and driving in 2 RBIs with 2 outs. Lugo also had 2 hits including a double.

Next Game: Saturday at 12:05 central
What to expect: Kyle Lohse will get his first start of the spring. Jaime Garcia and Ryan Franklin are among the list of pitchers also expected to get in some work.