What a magical remedy hitting the ball is. Also, it should be noted that we are winning all games this year on days I post. Also, we are winning all games since I was allowed to change my avatar back. Basically, I am very good luck. Mark it down.
The team got offense from all parts of the lineup, excluding Albert Pujols of course who was 0-for-5. Matt Holliday returned far earlier than I would have thought possible from his appendectomy to go 1-for-3 with a pair of walks. David Freese came out of his deep hitting freeze (zing!) to go 3-for-4 including a homerun in the 8th inning. Even Skip Schumaker and Ryan Theriot tallied a pair of hits. It was one of those days where the Cardinals managed to get on base frequently and show a little power (3 doubles, 1 HR) to drive in some runs.
The other component was a surprisingly dominant performance by Kyle Lohse who worked off his fastball and changeup to stymie Giant hitters. With 5 strikeouts and no walks, Lohse allowed just 1 run on 5 hits in 8 innings. The 8 innings are as important to Tony LaRussa as the 1 run as it allowed him to get by with using just one reliever, Trever Miller, to complete the game and give the bullpen an easy night.
The Cardinals head to Arizona for a three game set against the Diamondbacks beginning Monday night.