when you start a ballplayer like roger cedeno in a ballpark like coors field . . . . well, let's just be thankful the damage wasn't worse. sources indicate that the crater roger left in rightfield will be filled and patched in time for this evening's first pitch. and no, cedeno will not be entombed therein . . . .
mixed feelings about marquis' performance last night. he walked five men, wild-pitched home the lead run, and threw at least half a dozen 59-foot fastballs (nice d back there, yadi). after issuing just 14 bb in his first 54 ip, marquis has now issued 16 bb in his last 14 ip covering three starts . . . bad, very bad. that said, the game damn near got out of hand in the bottom of the 6th but marquis was too stubborn to permit it. plagued that inning by head-up-ass defense and head-much-further-up-ass umpiring, he battled thru 37 pitches and kept the lead from getting longer than pujols' bat. . . . as i write this, i am struck: 37 pitches? if jason runs into arm trouble this summer, i'll think back to that half-inning. and if he guts his way through a jam in the playoffs, i'll think back to it as well.
rummaging around . . . .
- cubs fans have not given up
- walt jocketty is the 6th-best gm in baseball
- the post-dispatch discovers VORP
- available for cheap: one used 31-yr-old outfielder (and here are his stats)
- you can participate in a mock draft to take place June 5 at SB Nation brother site Minor League Ball. log on at the site, check the diary list for the cardinals' thread, weigh in with your opinions on the draft . . . . then follow the action live next sunday.
so much for that month . . .