Given the twists and turns this season has taken, it's only fitting that, on a day when the Cardinals lineup looked at less than imposing, the club tallied its highest hit total of the season. The 18-hit barrage by the Redbirds saw every position player who record a plate appearance get a hit and most more than one. The hit parade was enough to sink the Dodgers 7-4 and push the Cards' winning streak to three games.
The heart of order came through heartily. Matt Holliday rapped two hits, including a homer. Allen Craig had two hits, including a double. David Freese notched three hits of his own before being pulled from the game due to cramping in his calf. No matter, Freese's replacement in the order, Skip Schumaker, slapped two singles. The hits didn't stop there, though, as No. 6 hitter Matt Carpenter also recorded three hits and No. 7 hitter Tony Cruz had two hits of his own. Even Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene had a hit each. The only player who logged a plate appearance but did not get a hit? Starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, who received a pitching "win" as his consolation prize.
Westbrook lasted seven innings, surrendering four runs (three of which earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out six. Mitchell Boggs tossed a scoreless eighth that featured a Dodger hit and walk as well as two K's. Jason Motte recorded his twenty-second save with a three-strikeout ninth.
The Cardinals head to Chicago and will play afternoon baseball at Wrigley tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown by Travis Wood at 1:20 PM CDT. Wood is taking the rotation spot of Matt Garza, who injured his forearm during his start last weekend in St. Louis. Lance Lynn is slated to take the hill for the Redbirds.