Game Recap (Part 2) - May 21 (and 22) - Cardinals outlast Orioles behind Gorman’s bat and very good pitching.

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Nolan Gorman hits a 2 run Homerun after play resumes in the 6th inning and the Medusa-like 3 headed monster of Kittredge-Romero-Helsley shut down the O’s offense to close out the win. Let’s not forget the gem Lynn threw before the rains.

Pre-Game Notes

• This recap picks up where Dr. Howl ended up last night. Catch up up on the first part of the game here, posted last night by Dr. Howl v2.0. The bonus baseball for today is continuation of last night’s 1-1 tie that was suspended after five-and-a-half innings. 11:05 AM start for the suspended game. Regular game is scheduled for 30 minutes after the end of the suspended game. Would extra innings today be considered double-bonus baseball?

Line-up (and roster) Machinations

• For the main game, each team gets to add a pitcher (27th man rule). But not the suspended game.
• With no relievers used last night and day off tomorrow, seems like everyone would be available (except maybe Libby).
• Kittredge will be the reliever to open the 7th for the Birds. Jacob Webb opens the sixth for the Birds, too.
• Remember that Nootbar got himself excused in inning 1 (for arguing balls and strikes). Cardinals playing down 1 man this game as a result. Not a great outcome for the player or the team. Carlson came in for him.
• Lynn is out after 6 IP. 1 R (unearned), 5 K, 0 BB, 82 pitches. Two hits. Great start. He most certainly would have come out for the seventh inning without the storm, although the hardest hit ball (110 mph) was on his last pitch.

The (Completion of the Suspended) Game

NOTE: This game recap picks up at the bottom of the sixth inning, tied 1-1. Arenado to lead off. What was a pitching duel is a bullpen game now.

B6 - Arenado out 6-3. Burleson out 3-1. Herrera walks. I love walks! Webb out after 3 batters. They want the left-on-left matchup. Gorman lays off an 0-2 slider in the dirt and then ruins the strategy by crushing a 1-2 fastball into the Cardinals bullpen. Kittredge catches it. Winn out 1-3. Cardinals now up 3-1.

T7 - Kittredge in. Crowser pops out to left. Mountcastle singles. Mullins K’s. Stowers K’s. Nice job.

B7 - After getting pub on VEB today, the Siani hex begins. He K’s. Donovan out F7. Carlson out 4-3 on good play by Mateo. Cards still up 3-1.

T8 - Kittredge back out for a RH batter. Mateo pops out. Romero in. Tough part of the line-up here. Henderson leads off. One pitch. He is out 4-3. Rutschman out F8. Nice job bullpen. I like low-stress relief.

B8 - Goldy leads off. Starts 0-2. Been that way all year. He just can’t catch up with that first strike fast ball. Goldy out 4-3. Arenado K’s. Burleson out F7.

T9 - Helsley in. O’Hearn K’s. Westburg walks. I hate walks! But Cowser hits into 5-4-3 GIDP for a Cardinal’s win. 3-1 is the final. Now to try (again) for a series sweep.

Post-Game Notes (and random musings)

• Kittredge 14 pitches, Romero 7. Helsley 14. They may have some availability in the regular game. Kitt and JoJo both pitched Monday, and I’d suspect Oli would prefer to not use them a 3rd time in 3 days, but if they have a chance to sweep the Orioles, maybe....
• I thought Lynn was throwing great last night. 12 whiffs in 6 innings. Good stuff. He did give up 4 struck balls > 100 mph, but that is nit-picking. Bradish threw well (and hard), also. I don’t envy much, but I could live with Bradish in the Cardinal’s rotation.
• The last two nights, fielding mishaps by infield stalwarts Wynn and Gorman have marred otherwise outstanding pitching performances. What gives with that? Fortunately, both recovered to deliver big hits.
• Ok. Here is a weird stat that has me wondering. Gorman’s 6th inning shot was a home run in 30 out of 30 parks. No shock. But it still only has an xBA of .760. That suggests to me that 24% of balls that would be out everywhere would be outs. How can that be?