After some considerable time, the Cardinals beat the Giants 5-2 - A recap from August 31, 2017

Hello to those of you still awake. As you may know, this game started at 9:15pm Central. I am currently fighting a losing battle with my eyelids to stay open. So, with that being said, this recap is going to go quick. Try to keep up, kiddos.

Madison Bumgarner was originally scheduled to start Thursday night's game, but the he was struck ill with a flu. To be honest, I thought he was still recovering for that four-wheeler accident or whatever it was his did - had no idea he was back. ANYWAY, filling in for him was Matt Cain. You might remember Matt Cain from his perfect game in 2012. History would not repeat itself this night, however. Matt Carpenter got things started right away with a single to make sure that could not happen.

The Birdos got on the board in the second inning. Randal Grichuk pummeled a hanging curveball from Cain into the left-field seats, scoring himself and Jose Martinez. The Cardinals scored again in the seventh to make the score three one when Tommy Pham singled up the middle for his third hit of the night to score Greg Garcia. Between those two things, the Cardinals really seemed to smack the ball around, but since this is the Giants, none of those balls in play wanted to go for hits. The irony of this is, of course, that Greg Garcia reached on an error and scored in the seventh. The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the eighth when Greg Garcia walked and Tommy Pham was hit by a pitch, each with the bases loaded.

Michael Wacha seemed to cruise through the first four innings. His curveball broke well, he was able to locate his fastball and changeup. Things looked good for the tall right-hander. Wacha appeared to hit a wall in the fifth inning, however. Two singles and a sacrifice fly got the Giants on the board. Wacha was able to coax a flyball from Joe Panik to end the threat. Wacha pitched the sixth inning without much incident before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh.

With three innings to cover and a small lead to hold, the game rested in the hands of the bullpen, which as of late has not been a great source of comfort. Matt Bowman came in for the seventh and pitched an uneventful inning. Tyler Lyons mowed down the side in the eighth. The Cardinals then used forty-seven relievers to close out the game in the ninth. Also a home run was taken away and turned into a double. Also a fan was ejected. I think the Giants scored a run on that double off... [looks up name] oh right - John Brebbia. Zach Duke recorded an out. Seung Hwan Oh came in and recorded an out. Then the game ended and we all went to sleep.

lil scooter's lil player of the game:

This honored distinction goes to Michael Wacha, who pitched six solid innings of one-run ball, and accumulated .23 WPA. Behind him in that category was Tommy Pham with .171.

Friday night Jack Flaherty will make his Major League debut in recently traded Mike Leake's place. He will face Johnny Cueto. Gametime is 9:15pm CST.

August 31 is my mom's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom who is assuredly not reading this!

Goodnight!