St. Louis Cardinal Dynasty (The Show 09-PS2)

[Cane_Mutiny]

Nice write-up on the last game. How is the game on the PS2, by the way? Does it live up to the next-gen standard? Graphics are worse, I'm assuming, but is the gameplay the same?

[onlybygrace]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cane_Mutiny

Nice write-up on the last game. How is the game on the PS2, by the way? Does it live up to the next-gen standard? Graphics are worse, I'm assuming, but is the gameplay the same?

Gameplay is fantastic. I bought 2k9 for the 360 and it isn't half the game 09 is for PS2.

Its really sad that a PS2 game makes a 360 game look silly. It really proves thats its not ALL about graphics, even though the PS2 has pretty good graphics for what it is.

I'd recommend The Show 09 for PS2 to anyone who's only alternative is 2k9 for 360.

[onlybygrace]

Davis Shuts Down Cards; Diamondbacks Roll

In what was largely a pitchers dual through six innings, with 5 hits total between both teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks would explode for 8 runs over the final two innings, blowing the Cards away 8-0 led by Chris Snyder's 4 RBI's.

Kyle Lohse would pitch another solid start going 6 innings, surrendering 4 hits, walking 1 and allowing 1 run with 4 strikeouts only to watch recent call up Alfonzo Stacy and Trevor Miller give up 7 runs and 10 hits in a combined 2 innings of work.

The Cards 1-5 hitters were a combined 1-13 with 8 strikeouts as Doug Davis would go 8 innings, giving up just 2 hits, striking out those 8.

Albert Pujols was 0-3 with 3 k's.

The Cards still took 2 of 3 to end the series and will head to Wrigley Field to take on the rival Cubs in a four game series.

STL 0 - 3 - 0
ARZ 8 - 14- 0

WP: Davis (1-1)
LP: Lohse (1-1)

[onlybygrace]

Pujols, Ludwick, and Wainwright Spur Cards To Victory at Wrigley

Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick hit back to back homeruns in the 3rd inning to push the Cards to a 4-2 victory against the struggling Cubs who fell to 2-7 on the young campaign.

Despite 2 errors from shortstop Khalil Greene, the Cards would move to 7-4 largely due to a strong effort on the mound from Adam Wainwright who threw 8 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 and surrendering 2 earned runs.

Ted Lilly threw 5 innings for Chicago, giving up 8 hits and walking 1, while striking out just 2 with 3 earned runs.

Manny Ramirez and Yadier Molina both hit triples for the Cards while Ramirez would also hit a double while going 2-4 on the evening.

Albert Pujols 2 RBI's tonight gives him a running total of 9 in the first 11 games. Pujols 3rd inning blast onto Waveland Avenue was measured at 423 feet.

Mark Fontenot homered for Chicago in the 8th.

Chris Perez would record his 3rd save of the season striking out 2 and walking 1 in 1 inning.



STL 4-12-2
CHI 2- 5 -0

WP: Wainwright (1-1)
LP: Lilly (0-1)
S: Perez (3)

[onlybygrace]

Cubs Shut Cards Down; Win 4-0

The St. Louis Cardinals were completely shut down tonight by Sean Marshall and the Chicago Cubs as the Redbirds would manage just 4 hits (all singles) in the contest.

Despite going 5 1/3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 0 earned runs and striking out 6, Chris Carpenter would not get a decision for the third straight appearance this season. He has posted a 1.65 ERA to this point but remains 0-0 on the year.

The Cards bullpen continues to struggle as Thompson, McClellan and Miller would allow 7 hits and 4 earned runs in a combined 2 2/3 innings of work.

Alfonzo Soriano would hit his 5th homer in 10 games in the sixth inning to start the scoring for the Cubs.

Sean Marshall would go 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 4, picking up his 2nd win of the season. His ERA is 1.54.

STL 0-4-0
CHI 4-11-0

WP: Marshall (2-0)
LP: Thompson (0-1)
S: Gregg (1)

[onlybygrace]

Cubs Awaking From Slumber; Down Cards 7-1

The St. Louis Cardinals have two problems. They can't hit and the bullpen can't get the job done.

For the second straight game the Cards bullpen was torched and the offence impotent as the Cubs would rally around an outstanding performance from Rich Harden who would not only pitch a complete game, striking out 9, but would also go 2-4 with 3 RBI's to help himself to his first win on the new campaign.

Also huge for the Cubs was Reed Johnson who would hit 2 triples and score three runs. Mark Fontenot would hit his 2nd home run of the series and drive in a pair of runs.

The Cards would collect just six hits, with the only bright spot being a solo homerun by Khalil Greene.

The struggling Ramon Martinez would throw 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 walk, striking out 4 only to leave the game and watch the bullpen get torched for 8 hits in 3 innings, allowing 4 earned runs.

The Cards bullpen has allowed 15 hits in the last 2 games in just 5 2/3 innings pitched accounting for 8 runs.

Derrick Lee was 1-4 with 3 K's.

STL 1-6-1
CHI 7-14-1
WP: Harden (1-2)
LP: Martinez (1-1)

[onlybygrace]

Six Run Third Propels Cards to Victory

The St Louis Cardinals would do all their scoring in the third inning in a 6-5 victory over the Cubs this afternoon at Wrigley Field as the Cards would move to 8-6 on the young season.

Albert Pujols would go 2-5 on the day with a homerun, a double, and two RBI's as the Cards would collect 7 hits in the first 2 innings of the game.

"We did a lot of things better today. We were much more patient and earned many more hitters counts which in turn allowed us to strike and pick up a win. The bullpen was also much improved. Its something to build on", said Tony Larussa post-game.

After an Aramis Ramirez three-run homer in the 3rd, the score was 6-4. Despite the homerun, the struggling Ramirez is hitting just .224 on the young season. Ryan Theriot would also homer for Chicago.

After giving up just 5 hits in his first 12 innings of work on the season, Kyle Lohse gave up 8 hits and 4 earned runs today in 5 innings of work, walking and striking out 1 while moving to 3-0 on the season.

The Cards bullpen did well to allow just 1 run in 4 innings of work, allowing 6 hits.

Ryan Dempster had a rough time allowing 10 hits and 6 runs in just 4 2/3 innings despite striking out 4.

STL 6-13-0
CHI 5-14-0
WP: Lohse (3-0)
LP: Dempster (1-2)
S: Perez (4)

[onlybygrace]

Stat reports at end of month, in case any of you silent readers were wondering.