5/20 Recap: Cards pitch good, hit good; win easy game

These games have been far too rare so far this season.

You know, the type of game where the offense scores early. The type where almost every hitter contributes (C'mon, Allen!). The type of game where your ace pitcher obviously has his good stuff and cruises, while your defense plays nearly flawlessly behind him.

Y'know, a drama-free game.

The Cardinals offense got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Matt Adams mattted Matt Holliday in on a home run.  There was an umpiring change in the top of the fourth inning, when Brian O'Nora fell ill.  Once the inning resumed with Marvin Hudson behind the plate, Adam Wainwright gave up his first and only hit of the game on a Paul Goldschmidt double.  The Cardinals would tack on additional runs in the bottom of the fourth, bottom of the fifth, and bottom of the sixth to ultimately win the game 5-nil, with Adam Wainwright getting the clean sheet.

Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, and Jhonny Peralta all contributed two hits, while everything else (but Allen Craig) chipped in one a piece. Jhonny Peralta was the big power guy, with a double and a home run.

Three Stars of the Game (by WPA)

1. Adam Wainwright (pitcher) (.295) - 9 strikeouts, 0 walks, and just 1 hit in 9 innings is really good, you guys
2. Matt Adams (.179) - His first inning home run ultimately decided the game; hence, the WPA
3. Jhonny Peralta (.087) - With a double and home run, he accounted for two of the other runs scored

Three ...not Stars of the Game (by WPA)

1. Matt Carpenter (-.039) - Even though he hit a double to go 1-4, it was late in the game, already with a 5-0 lead.
2. Allen Craig (-.036) - I don't wanna talk about him anymore =(
3. Adam Wainwright (hitter) (-.032) - Hah, stupid bum couldn't even get a hit

Source: FanGraphs