You are here: Home >Archive for September, 2009

Normally stingy right-hander allows three long balls

CINCINNATI — Joel Pineiro has one more start before the playoffs. It's a good thing. If Tuesday had been Pineiro's last game of the regular season, he wouldn't be going into the postseason with a very good feeling. The right-hander, who will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series for St. Louis, endured [...]

Chance to get in postseason mix could be long shot

CINCINNATI — Troy Glaus rejoined the Cardinals on Tuesday and pronounced himself ready to play, but exactly how much he'll get to play is in question. Glaus, who has dealt with one injury after another this year, was most recently sidelined with pain in his left oblique. He was not with the team on the [...]

Cards slugger says he's fresh, wants to work out of funk

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols only hit .333 on the Cardinals' recent road trip. He was held to a mere three extra-base hits, four RBIs and three walks in six games. What would qualify as an excellent trip for many players was, for Pujols, somewhat frustrating. He acknowledged on Saturday that he hasn't exactly been [...]

Pujols hits three-run double, but also makes costly error

DENVER — Their manager stuck up for their effort, but the Cardinals' execution on Sunday was another matter. A day after clinching the National League Central championship, St. Louis played an unsurprisingly sloppy game, losing to the Rockies, 4-3, at Coors Field. St. Louis was charged with only one error, but at least two other [...]

Slugger has helped team to new heights since arrival

DENVER — When it first become known, even back last winter, that the Cardinals were interested in Matt Holliday, one word started coming up right away: fit. From just about every perspective, Holliday and the Cardinals seemed like a perfect fit. Professionally, Holliday's approach to the game would fit. Personally, his Midwestern upbringing would fit. [...]

Redbirds punch ticket to October with victory over Rockies

DENVER — For nearly two months, they've taken the field as the dominant team in the National League Central. On Saturday night, the twice made-over Cardinals celebrated at Coors Field as champions once again. A thrilling 6-3 win over the Rockies secured the Cardinals' fourth division championship in six years, ensuring that the two-time reigning [...]

Righty tosses eight solid innings; LaRue hits go-ahead blast

DENVER — It took a total team effort, but the Cardinals secured their fourth National League Central championship in six years with a 6-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday night. NL Cy Young Award candidate Adam Wainwright was the face of the win, going eight gutty innings on a night when [...]

St. Louis' magic number remains at one for NL Central title

DENVER — Inevitable is starting to seem interminable. The Cardinals' magic number will remain at one for another day, as St. Louis fell to the Rockies, 2-1, at Coors Field on Friday. Two hours later, the Cubs beat the Giants in San Francisco, keeping the National League Central race alive until Saturday. St. Louis had [...]

Looks to fellow starters Carpenter and Smoltz for advice

DENVER — On some pitching staffs, Adam Wainwright would not only be the ace, he'd be the high man on the totem pole. He's established himself as a top-flight starter with three years of quality work. He has a World Series ring from 2006 as the Cardinals' closer. And he's a leading candidate for the [...]

Slugger topped a .300 average in each of his nine seasons

The Sporting News announced its Major League Player of the Decade on Thursday, and there was little in the way of surprise. That honor was bestowed upon Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, the two-time National League Most Valuable Player who has topped a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in each of his [...]