cardinals beat phillies, move to 2.5 games out of the wild card

9 games remain for the cardinals. 

in an improbable matchup, kyle lohse pitches a 1-run, 7.1 inning, 5 strikeout, 1 walk gem, facing up against one of the best lineups in baseball and one of the best pitchers in baseball. he also hit a double and scored a run.

omar infante sez to atlanta: how you like your uggla now?

ryan theriot experiences delusions of adequacy.

another shaky performance from jason motte, allowing two runs in a very tight, very important game. he's still a great reliever, but tony la russa seems to have a "what have you done for me lately" attitude towards relievers who don't remember jimmy carter (see, boggs, mitchell; salas, fernando).

octavio dotel comes through with the final out after motte and (who else?) arthur rhodes could not seal the deal. 

it's a surprisingly exciting finish to an up-and-down season.