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pregame
| Pirates | 2014 stats | Last 5 years vs. starter | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG | HR | RBI | SB | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | |
| Polanco, G, RF | .284 | 3 | 13 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
| Marte, S, LF | .261 | 5 | 32 | 21 | - | - | - | - |
| McCutchen, A, CF | .319 | 13 | 54 | 13 | - | - | - | - |
| Walker, N, 2B | .277 | 11 | 38 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| Martin, R, C | .273 | 4 | 26 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| Davis, I, 1B | .243 | 5 | 28 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Alvarez, P, 3B | .240 | 13 | 42 | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| Mercer, J, SS | .250 | 6 | 27 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Worley, V, P | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Cardinals | 2014 stats | Last 5 years vs. starter | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG | HR | RBI | SB | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | |
| Carpenter, M, 3B | .282 | 4 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 1.000 | 0 | 2 |
| Jay, J, CF | .290 | 1 | 21 | 3 | 5 | .200 | 0 | 0 |
| Holliday, M, LF | .260 | 5 | 41 | 2 | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| Adams, M, 1B | .331 | 10 | 36 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| Molina, Y, C | .289 | 7 | 30 | 1 | 3 | .333 | 0 | 0 |
| Peralta, J, SS | .239 | 13 | 39 | 1 | 5 | .600 | 0 | 0 |
| Taveras, O, RF | .179 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| Wong, K, 2B | .232 | 2 | 17 | 9 | - | - | - | - |
| Martinez, C, P | .375 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - |
First of all, it looks like Operation Stack the Matts is over. Next, rumors are swirling about a possible Allen Craig for Jake Peavy trade, and the rumors have gained traction by Torty's dad not being in the line-up tonight. It has been stated that this was a planned day off and this might only be that. We also get our first peak at rookie Gregory Polanco tonight.
game
The Cardinal rookies team up in the bottom of the second to give their team a 2-0 lead. Jhonny Peralta would hit a two out single, followed by a deep, vehemently struck single by Oscar Taveras to put runners on first and third. Kolten Wong would follow that up with a two out double in the gap for RBI 18 and 19 for him on the year.
The lead would last only a bit longer than one full inning as a Pedro Alvarez home run succeeding an Ike Davis walk would tie the game. This is not an ideal location for that slider, Carlos.
Hanging a breaking ball to Pedro Alvarez is not ideal. pic.twitter.com/UFLk7exgsX
— viva el birdos (@vivaelbirdos) July 9, 2014
RMI: 2 (Jay, Carpenter by Matt Holliday)
MBI: 1 (Matt Carpenter by Holliday)
MMI: 1 (Matt Carpenter by Matt Holliday)
The game would cruise along with both teams matching zeros. Trevor Rosenthal came in for the ninth and things would get interesting after Jordy Mercer blooped a single and Josh Harrison worked a 3-2 walk. I politely asked Trevor to stop being a dork and then he dispatched the next two batters, Polanco and Marte, with relative ease. You are welcome, everyone.
post game
Source: FanGraphs
LIL SCOOTER'S PLAYER OF THE GAME:
There is pretty much no other choice but Kolten Wong for the honor. His 2-4, 3 RBI, 1 run scored night was good for .600 WPA. He didn't just win the award, he destroyed the competition like Matt Holliday crushing a peanut shell with his robust and powerful grip.
TWEET/GAMETHREAD COMMENT OF THE GAME:
[turns "days without a walk-off home run" sign back to 0 from 1]
— Tom_sveb (@Tom_sveb) July 9, 2014
Chicks dig the #Wong ball.
— Joseph Kelly Jr. (@JosephKellyJr) July 9, 2014
Tomorrow Lance Lynn faces Brandon Cumpton as the Cards look for win number three of the series and in a row. The game starts at 7:15pm.