Geez, is our pitching that bad?  More than a year since 5 different starters have pitched 6 innings in succession?  Yuck!  Well, the Pads aren't a great offensive team so it's conceivable that we could get 6 from Pineiro tonight, though he's probably on a pitch count.  Didn't he just throw about 80 pitches last time out?  5 IP is probably more reasonable.

What will be the reaction to Ankiel tonight by the Busch faithful?  5 minute standing ovation during his first AB?

I'll be giving him one from my living room, even as he goes 0 for 4 with 3 ks.

Bernie is currently thumping his chest saying he knew something was wrong with Speezer as far back as May.  He is copping out about saying 'we tried to ask about it but were shut out'.

Sometimes that guy gets me.  He wants to act like he is 'above' being a mouthpiece for the team and loves the 'I told you so'.

Ugh. Go get 'em, Rick.

forgive me for a minute, but shouldn't they have called up Ryan instead of Ankiel? reason is, we have a lot of outfielders, but now that speezer's gone, we have only 3 infielders, and 3 bad ones at that. isn't the smarter, wiser baseball move to bring up a guy that can replace speezer? who is an infielder. i'm just has happy as the next person to have Rick back, but unless Juan or LUD is traded, i think we need Ryan more than Rick. at least right now.

either way, get well speezer. go get 'em Rick. we're all pulling for you.

Most other sources seem to have Young pitching, not sure what the situation is. Could have been complications in regards to his injury, or could just be a snafu on their part.    

my gf actually had tix (we bought before I started working thurs).

Sucks to miss the second plate appearance of the next inning.

GO CARDINALS

• 
  
• 1. Mighty Mouse
  
• 2. Modest Mouse
  

Which one should I use when talking about him?

Thanks to Larry for pointing out how long it's been.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Ankiel

How did that happen?

that was awesome.

wild pitches that score a run are the awesome.

btw, 6-1 flubs out in colorado. i think lillypad is pitching for the wee little bears.

Juan, i think you just lost your starting job.

I'm so happy I saw his last 3-run jack in person just 2 days ago.. I feel priviliged.

I bet if you asked him, his 3rd career MLB home run was a heck of a lot better than his first.

Rick Ankiel is having a better one.

this rocks. i alomst dont care what happens for the rest of the season. getting to see that made my year. every thing else is just gravy.

without looking it seems afterany huge day like 10 run sunday monday was a flop...itd be interesting to see the stats on that

I think you just contradicted yourself.  Sure, we are all overly giddy about a 28 year old minor leaguer hitting a 3-run HR, but that guy just hit an

Off-speed pitch
Away
One handed
Over the wall

Sorry Al, I don't care if it was Yadier Molina, it was still damn impressive.  That isn't a 'pitch to handle'.

AWESOME GAME. SIMPLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

more than 30 minutes later, i still got goosebumps. this day rocks.

great series win gents. great series win!

(oh, for an mp3 of that call)

Best game of the year.Period.

Anyone else see this?

Other than winning the Series last year I have never seen Tony so emotional/happy as he was tonight.

Wow.  When Rick muscled that ball over the wall, I was speechless.  This game will be remembered for a LONG damn time.

Not to be forgotten, however, is Piñiero's terrific start.  7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0 ER, 90 pitches, 60 strikes!

Gotta like that, too.

All in all, an incredibly uplifting game.

no pressure. . . . .

"And for at least one night, it was OK to cry in baseball.

In a word, amazing. It is amazing the organization stuck with him, but it's amazing he decided to stick with the game that brought him so much ridicule.

When they announced Ankiel was starting in right field and batting second, the crowd erupted in applause. When he stepped up to plate in the bottom of the first inning, he received a standing ovation. Each at bat he received a welcome round of applause.

The home run ... wow. As soon as he hit it, everyone stood on their feet. It wasn't a no-doubter, but everyone knew it was close. When the ball carried the wall, Ankiel gave a small fist pump as he rounded first base. The cheer was one of the loudest cheers I've heard in a baseball game. When he crossed home plate and walked into the dugout, Ankiel buried his head in his hands. If he wasn't crying, he should have been.

No one cared that Pujols was at the plate, or that he took the next pitch for a ball. All eyes were on the dugout. Ankiel appeased the crowd by coming out quickly and tipping his cap.

What a wonderful night."

Doubled. Cheers.