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Pirates salvage finale against Cards on walk-off
Via SI.com - MLB. CommentsXavier Paul was running. No matter what.
The Pittsburgh Pirate reserve watched the ball of the bat of teammate Chase d’Arnaud slice into the outfield with one out in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday and decided he was taking off regardless of where the it landed.
“It was extra inning ballgame,” Paul said. “I felt like it was deep enough. I’m going to make him make a perfect throw to get me out.” St. Louis centerfielder Colby Rasmus ’ tracked down the ball but his throw to the plate never had a chance. Paul sprinted home with the winning run in a 4-3 victory as the Pirates avoided a three-game sweep.
Resilient Redbirds show a lot of spark, but have holes that need plugging
And Saturday’s spectacular comeback once again highlighted the intangible qualities that don’t officially register in a box score. There is no way to quantify the Cardinals’ most admirable traits.
Today, The Mets Deposited The First Of 25 $1,193,248.20 Checks Into Bobby Bonilla's Bank Account
They did some fancy number-crunching, and decided Bonilla would collect checks of $1.19 million every July 1 until 2035, at which point Bobby Bo would be 73 and at which point you’ll be able to find $1.19 million by rummaging in your couch.
Via Deadspin
Starting Pitchers Among Best Low-Risk Pickups
Yet there’s no denying that the same issue that kept the others off of MLB mounds in 2010 - health - persists. Colon could return from the disabled list this weekend; the Mariners placed Bedard on the DL today; McCarthy has been on Oakland’s disabled list for more than a month.
Via MLB Trade Rumors
St. Louis Cardinals release reliever Ryan Franklin
Franklin, an All-Star closer in 2009 and a bit less dominant in 2010, has been terrible this season. His latest blowup Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles was the final straw for the Redbirds. Franklin got one out, allowed three hits, one home run and two runs, bumping his ERA to 8.46 this season. He’s also allowed nine home runs in 27 2/3 innings.
Via Sporting News
Why The St. Louis Cardinals And Heath Bell Should See Other People
Heath Bell has been the official relief pitcher of frustrated St. Louis Cardinals fans all year, but it’s only recently that the whispering types have begun suggesting they might actually make a trade with the San Diego Padres for their close
Via sbnation.com
Freese, Punto come off DL for Cards
Reinforcements will arrive at 6:05 p.m. today when the slumping St. Louis Cardinals begin a six-game road trip with a three-game series in Baltimore. The Cardinals on Monday recalled third baseman David Freese (broken left hand) and utility infielder Nick Punto (strained right elbow) from their minor-league rehabilitation assignments. They will be in uniform tonight when Kyle Lohse (7-4, 2.91 ERA) pitches against the Orioles’ Zach Britton (6-5, 3.19 ERA).
Via BND.com
Cards fail to make their own breaks
The Cardinals had two close calls go against them Saturday at Busch Stadium, but it was the things they failed to do around those pivotal moments that decided the game, not a couple of gestures from the umpires.
Via stltoday.com
And, that’s just the way the last two weeks have gone.
A-Rod Money
Today, SI’s Jon Heyman tweets that the Cardinal slugger is thought to be looking for the type of contract that Alex Rodriguez received to stay in New York. A-Rod inked a 10-year, $275MM contract back in December of 2007 at the age of 32, so it’s no surprise to see Pujols, 31 in January, making similar demands.
Via MLB Trade Rumors
If anyone should get A-Rod money, it’s Pujols. The Cardinals will more than make it up in ticket sales, merchandise sales and fan goodwill. This dollar amount is the price to avoid the unthinkable - losing Pujols to free-agency.
What do you think: is Pujols worth $275 million to the Cardinals?
CommentsWestbrook pitched with injured left shoulder
Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook won’t be able to swing a bat early in spring training after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder shortly after the season.
The injury was of little concern to the Cardinals, who signed the 33-year-old right-hander to a two-year contract extension this week.
In a telephone interview from his home in Danielsville, Ga., Westbrook said he’ll probably do a lot of bunting until the shoulder heals from surgery he characterized as one that was neither major nor minor but something “in between.”
Via USA Today So, he appears to be pretty tough - playing part of last season with a torn labrum. I’m just not sure that signing him for another two years was the right thing to do. I didn’t find his performance all that inspiring. He’s a reliable fifth starter. Then again, maybe I’m still torqued that we gave up Ryan Ludwick …
