Albert Pujols wasn’t 4 for 4 tonight, but he did finish with four hits in six at-bats in a losing effort to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. On a night full of home runs blasts, Albert Pujols was the only power hitter not to get a piece of the action. Scott Rolen, Yadier Molina, Scott Spiezio, and Jim Edmonds all went yard as the Cardinals lost to the Royals in 11 innings, the final score being 8-7. The Cardinals have lost 10 of their last 11, a pitiful showing for this team and its talent.
The Cardinals have now lost their fourth straight series, something that St. Louis isn’t ready for. After three straight great seasons, a season that the team doesn’t win 100 games or make the NLCS is a huge disappointment. The pitching is awful, the hitting is basically nothing (except for Pujols, Rolen, and Eckstein). Defense is alright, but without pitching, defense isn’t as important. The ball will find its way to where it wants to go—with our pitching, that’s probably ten rows up in left/right field.
Albert finished with an RBI during his 4 for 6 performance. He had one strikeout, and it came at a bad time. He had a chance to be the hero after Jim Edmonds tied the game, but came up short on a 2 ball, 2 strike pitch. Pujols swung through the up and away fastball.
Hopefully the Cards turn things around soon—but don’t worry too much. The ‘Birds are headed back to the National League, where the Pirates, Astros, Cubs, and Brewers lie in wait. Hopefully they don’t spring on the opportunity and cause the Reds to regain first place in the division. All that’s left for this team is a miracle. Let’s hope that Albert Pujols can bring that miracle back to St. Louis with a few home run swings.
Written by APC Staff Writer Brady Holzhauer