A rough 4 game series in Busch Stadium started with Tim Hudson against Kyle Lohse. The Braves jumped out to an early lead thanks to RBI hits from Nate McClouth and Brian McCann. Hudson pitched well but left the game with 2 men on and a 2 run lead. Peter Moylan was unable to strand the runners, technically blowing his first save of the year. Hudson ended up with 3 runs on 6 hits including a Colby Rasmus solo shot in the 6th in 6 innings. He struck out 4. Lohse matched him, giving up 3 in 6 innings on 7 hits. Unfortunately, the Cardinal relievers proved to be more effective than the Braves. McClellan, Reyes – the eventual winner – and Franklin all pitched scoreless innings. On the other side, Moylan allowed both of his inherited runners to score, blowing the save, and Saito gave up the go-ahead and game winning ground-rule double to Yadier Molina in the 8th taking the loss. Once again, the Braves got a good outing from the starter, and couldn’t back him up.
W-L – 8-12; HRs – 12; RBIs – J Heyward (16); BA% – M Prado (.392); K’s – T Hanson (26); http://tinyurl.com/2dpedtx
Game 2, featured Ace Chris Carpenter against 3-0 Derek Lowe. The Braves once again jumped out to a lead scoring 2 in the 2nd. The bats were active this night, just horribly unlucky. Lowe was his usual shaky self, giving up 5 on 5 in 5 2/3, that’s runs, hits and innings. Carpenter was solid allowing 2 runs on 3 hits through 6. The Braves got their chance though. In the 7th it took 4 Cardinal pitchers to get 3 outs. Hanksworth started the inning and allowing 2 unearned runs on 3 hits. Reyes relieved him and got the 2nd out. Then Boggs came in and walked the bases-loaded. Heyward came to the plate and was struck out by Miller. Motte finished up the last 2 innings to get his first save. The Cards got 4 of their 5 in the 6th, when they chased Lowe. Moylan finished the inning and then Medlen and Wagner threw a scoreless 8th and 9th. And again, just not enough to get the win, 5-4.
W-L – 8-13; HRs – 12; J Heyward (16); BA% – M Prado (.367) this is after going 0-5; K’s – T Hanson (26); http://tinyurl.com/24m79kx
Game 3 was almost worse than any of the previous losses. Jaime Garcia tosses 7 shutout innings and the Braves just get trounced. Kawakami is the recipient of the lackluster offense. He wasn’t his best only going 4 1/3 while allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits. Venters gave up one more in his 1 2/3 innings. But then O’Flaherty and Chavez stopped the bleeding. The Cardinal relievers maintain the shutout and the Cards cruise 6-0.
W-L – 8-14; HRs – 12; J Heyward (16); BA% – M Prado (.361); K’s – T Hanson (26); http://tinyurl.com/29f7w8n
Series Finale was no better than the rest. Wainwright against the ailing Jair Jurrjens and bad went to worst. Jurrjens left after just 1 inning of work, in which he gave up a 3-run homer to rookie Ryan Freese. Medlen gets through 3 innings, giving up one run on 3 hits. Chavez then gets rocked, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits in just 2 innings, 3 runs coming from Freese’s bat again, this time a double and then also a Greene solo shot. Moylan also gives up a run in his inning. Saito is able to hold his inning, but the Cardinals had already scored 10 runs. The Braves mustered 4, including Heyward’s 5th home run, but it was hardly enough. The Braves head home for a much-needed series against the equally as anemic Astros next.
W-L – 8-15; HRs – 13; RBIs – J Heyward (17); BA% – M Prado (.360); K’s – T Hanson (26); http://tinyurl.com/26lnoum
New Addition – 5.0 games back of NL East (NY Mets); 4.5 games back of NL Wild Card (SF Giants)
