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Pujols Game Day

Albert 3 hits, Percival gets first win, Cards gain a game, need another today.

Our man Albert Pujols went 3-4 last night with a double, two singles, and a run scored in the Cardinals 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Brad Thompson pitched well for the Cardinals, going 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, both earned, while walking 1 and striking two out. The Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo also pitched well, going 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 run, a walk, and 5 strike outs. It was when Arroyo came out the Cardinals made hay. And that was in the 8th inning against Marcus McBeth, who took the loss, and fell to 2-2. He gave up 2 hits, both scored, before getting anyone out.

Troy Percival pitched in his first game in over 2 years, and picked up the win, going one inning(7th inning), giving up no hits, runs or walks, and striking out one. Jason Isringhausen picked up his 15th save of the year to close out the 4-2 victory.

That brings us to tonight’s 6:10 start. The Cardinals gained a game last night, as the Cubs beat the Brewers 6-5. The Cardinals are now 9.5 games back, and 3 back from the second place Chicago Cubs. The Cubs and Brewers play today at 2:55, so we will know who we have a chance to gain a game on today.

Adam Wainwright pitches for the Cardinals today. He is 6-6 with a 4.58 era. Adam is 2-2 in his last 4 starts, including 8-3 and 7-3 wins over the Phillies and Royals, and 5-3 and 5-1 losses to the Royals and Reds. For the Reds, Kyle Lohse will pitch. Kyle has struggled in 2007, going 3-10, with a 5.02 ERA. Kyle has lost 3 straight games, including a 9-1 loss to the Mariners, a 6-1 loss to the A’s, and a 6-3 loss to the Angels. His outing before those, he went 8.1 innings, giving up 7 hits, 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 2 on June 7 against the Cardinals in a 5-1 win. Let’s hope for better luck for the Cardinals against Mr. Lohse!

Albert Pujols has hit Kyle Lohse well. He is 4-7 on the season, with 2 doubles. Aaron Miles is 3-6 on the season against Lohse. In his career, Albert is 4-10, for a .400 batting average. In those 4 hits, Albert has 2 doubles, but has NEVER homered against Lohse. He has walked twice, and never struck out. Time for Albert to go deep against Kyle Lohse!