Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright too good for Florida Marlins
A combination of impressive batting and pitching got the St. Louis Cardinals to their winning start of the series against the trailing Florida Marlins. The team management would owe its gratitude to Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright who would come forth on the pitch like true legends, dealing their opponents a comprehensive blow to the chin to start the 3-game bout.
Losing to the Houston Astros in their prior series, the Cardinals were looking to transfer their form from the previous match to the pitch tonight. Having to come to the Sun Life stadium from their own home ground was a harsh reality to deal with. Regardless of the off field troubles, the team went in with high spirits. Lagging by a win to join the Cincinnati Reds on top of the Central League table of the National League, the runner ups were looking for a win to pressurize the leaders.
The Florida Marlins, on the other hand, were looking for a change in luck, following a 3-0 white wash by the Philadelphia Phillies in their home series earlier. After having to lose to a controversial umpire decision last night, involving the ruling of a foul ball, the squad was looking for a change in luck as they headed into this series for a chance to knock off their poor form.
The game all started with the St. Louis team batting in the top 1st. The Marlins fielded Ricky Nolasco for the pitching duty and presented a well placed field to begin the competition. Felipe Lopez started with the batting and was walked by the pitcher to the first base. Not realizing Lopez’s intent, the first base occupant sprinted to steal second, early in the game. Pressurizing the strike zone banger, Jon Jay followed in suit to attain the first base, on a bunt single. With the third and first base filled with the Cardinal players, Pujols walked on to the bag to take things from there to the next level. Nolasco, unable to recover from his earlier shock, was made to look like a novice as Pujol struck his pitch down the left centre for a homer. Allowing himself and the two other base holders to run clear, gave the team a powerful lead of 3 runs while registering them on the board with a run.
Unable to respond, the Cardinals advanced their lead with Jon Jay’s sprint through the last check point for a score, from Michael Holiday’s double to the deep right, in the top 3rd. This gave the Cardinals 4 runs and gave the Marlins, much to think about. The fans were wishing for a quality response, with Bartlett’s grand slam fresh in their minds, but it wasn't meant to be, as St. Louis scored again; this time in the top 4th.
A Brendon Ryan double to the left centre got Aaron Miles to score. Ryan followed in fashion as Jon Jay banged the ball to the centre for a double. Albert Pujols couldn’t have returned at a better time, as his shot to the deep left, got him to the second base and got Jay past the finish line for another run, giving the visitors, a dominating score of 7 runs. The home team was caught relishing an opportunity to respond but that wasn’t to be the case; all due to Adam Wainwright.
Wainwright, the Cardinals ace pitcher for the night, made things considerably difficult for the opponents as his pitches caught 7 strike outs with just two hits. He pitched for the full duration of the match, making this the fifth full game he’s ever played in and the 16th by the standards of winning with the Cardinals. He allowed 3 walks during the match and no one scored off the hits that connected against his well pitched balls. He lowered his Earning Runs Average (ERA) to 2.07 and pitched 110 times in the process. The game ended with St. Louis thwarting Florida 7 - 0.
A very predictable game turned out the way it was analyzed to be; A Cardinal victory. The Marlins are looking to pull themselves back up. If there’s anything they should be worried about, it is their reputation in the division. As for the St. Louis team, things are looking bright. If they maintain pressure on the Cincinnati Reds, they may make it to the end of the finish line before they’re rivals do.
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