(Photo credit: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
After avoiding the sweep against the rival Chicago Cubs the St. Louis Cardinals headed back to the friendly confines of Busch Stadium to begin a three game series against the Cincinnati Reds. They would be doing it without their star catcher, Yadier Molina, who sprained his thumb during Sunday’s victory over the Cubs.
Though that setback didn’t stop the Cardinals.
While the game wasn’t flashy, a blowout, or a walk-off, it was a win the Cardinals will still take, beating the Reds 2-1.
The starting pitchers for the evening’s matchup were Jaime Garcia (9-5, 2.52) and John Lamb (1-3, 5.35) for the Reds.
Jason Bourgeois led off the game with a walk issued by Garcia in the top of the first. Three at-bats later, Brandon Phillips singled to score him and make it 1-0. The following inning, Garcia bounced back with a 1-2-3 inning.
After that sole run, it became total lock-down mode for the veteran Garcia, who at one point retired eight straight batters t.
On the other side, Lamb shut down the Cardinals’ bats, although they were able to get on base. Stranded runners was the theme of the night for both teams.
Garcia’s performance throughout the second half of the season continued to shine, as his final line of the evening was: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 Ks.
In the eighth inning, the Cardinals offense was able to wake up and perform. Tommy Pham led off with a triple, followed two at-bats later by a Jhonny Peralta single, scoring Pham to tie the game up. Peter Bourjos entered the game to pinch-run for Peralta and Stephen Piscotty made the Reds pay by hitting an RBI double to give the Cardinals the lead, 2-1.
Trevor Rosenthal came into the ninth inning looking to convert on his 47th save and did just that . With the save, Rosenthal has tied Lee Smith and Jason Isringhausen for the most saves in a season by a Cardinals closer.
The Cardinals improved to 94-56 with the win.
John Lackey will get the start on Tuesday.
