4-10 Weekend Recap

David Freese wasn't sitting down during his Sunday offensive performance that led the way to a Cardinal victory.

Giants 3 - Cardinals 2

Saturday the Cardinals once again played the Giants close but came out on the losing end.  Garcia had another stellar performance though.  He followed up his complete game gem with 6 innings pitched, 1 earned run and 9 Ks.

Rasmus hit his first HR to give the Cards the lead late in the ball game but he followed it up with an error on a warning track fly ball that cost them the game.  Watching the highlight it was catchable ball, albeit he was coming at it from a long distance and at a tough angle.   The missed catch that cost Franklin his 3rd blown save was tough to handle for the team, but they responded well the next day.

Cardinals 6 - Giants 1

Sunday the Cardinals offense started off slowly in thanks to their continued hard luck of hitting into a league leading 14 double plays which is by far the most in the NL.  However the Cardinals led by Mr. Freese came alive for 3 runs in the 6th.  Freese added to his performance with his first HR in the 8th.  Lohse pitched brilliantly and at one point retired 20 of 21 batters.  He was able to avoid that blow up inning today and held the Giants offense in check.  His line was 8 innings pitched, 1 earned run and 5 Ks in route to his first W on the year.

Considering how the first 2 games of the series ended, it is nice to get out of SF with 1 W.  The Cardinals could have just as easily swept the series if the chips had fallen another away.  But they didn't and the 3-6 Redbirds head to Phoenix to take on the D-backs.  

Take Away:  Is it time to worry about Franklin yet?  He has 3 blown saves in 4 chances.  Short and long answer is no it is not.  The season is still very young and Franklin converted 27 of 29 attempts last year.  TLR will stick with him for a while yet as he does with all his favorites (see Skip Schumaker).  Franklin has caught some rough breaks in all the chances he has blown.  

1. On opening day he gave up a 2 out HR to Cameron Maybin, who is not known for the long ball.  But even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

2.  He gave up a 2 out hit to red hot Pablo Sandoval on Friday, when they should have intentionally walked him.

3.  Colby Rasmus missed the warning track fly ball which allowed 2 runs in to win the game yesterday.

I think Franklin will continue to battle through and become as reliable as a closer with his talents can allow him to be. I don't think Motte or Boggs are ready to close yet which is another factor for Franklin's job security.

Pujols continued his early season slump going 1 for 12 with 2 walks in the series.  Once he gets going though the Cardinals offense will really take off I think.  They have already shown signs of life during this series.  Before too long the Cardinals are going to start hitting some dingers especially with Mark McGwire as their hitting coach.