SF 5 - STL 4: Theriot Comes Through But Overshadowed By Loss

Theriot's nail biting at bat in the 9th reminded me that I needed to cut my nails.

People who know Ray Patterson know that he is an honest man, but that he is a cheap man.   Well I got home from work today and finally gave in.  I paid the $19.99 to get MLB radio so I could listen to the  Cardinals radio broadcasts.  

When I started listening to the game it was 3-2 Giants in the 8th.  Positives that I missed before I started listening included Boggs coming in and getting out of a bases loaded jam.   I also missed Pujol's rbi single in the 8th.  

What I didn't miss though was the nail biting top of the 9th.  Elite closer Brian Wilson got the first 2 outs quickly.  He then went on to walk Yadi, gave up a single to Daniel Descalso and hit Jon Jay.  Bases loaded, 2 outs.  What took place next was the most exciting at-bat of the early season I have witnessed.  Theriot took Wilson to a full count, and on the 12th pitch (after fouling 4 straight full count pitches off!) singled and scored 2 runs to give the Cardinals the lead.  Even if this is the best play I hear listening in all year, it was worth the $19.99!  But then the bottom of the 9th came along...

Franklin came in and got 2 outs, then gave up a single and walked Posey.  This allowed the fans to get back in it (those that hadn't left on BART).  Sandoval then singled in the tying run.  There was an open base, the team would have been better off perhaps intentionally walking him, but hindsight is 20/20 (they later walked Sandoval in the 11th).  Franklin got the next guy and into extra innings we went.  

In the top of the 10th the Card's secret offensive weapon Kyle Lohse pinch hit but grounded out to end a 1-2-3 inning.  Augenstein came in to the 10th and 11th and came away unscathed.  Tallet took over in the 12th and took the loss after loading the bases and giving the walk off hit to Torres, the run was unearned do to an error given to Pujols....   A rough loss, but it was nice to see the team battle back when it looked like it was over.  There is still plenty of baseball left to play, but losses like this are still tough to take.

Positives:  Boggs coming into the game and getting out of a bases loaded situation 6th inning and pitching a scoreless 7th.  Theriot coming through with a great at bat in the 9th.  Augenstein pitching a scoreless 10th and 11th (after intentionally walking Posey and Sandoval he got out of a bases loaded 2 out situation by K'ing up DeRosa).  

Negatives:  Other than Franklin blowing the save after the offense had come through.  Allen Craig striking out 4 times and going 0 for 6.   The Cardinals stranding double digit base runners.

Take Away  A new Mike Shannon quote.  Mike referring to the home crowd and the cardinals bench hassling the home plate ump, "boy I bet he feels like a piece of bread in a toaster."