MVN - Most Valuable Network

Slip Sliding Away

That may just about do it.

Despite seven sharp innings from Braden Looper, the Chicago Cubs used a two-run homer by Alfonso Soriano in the eighth inning to nip the Cardinals, 3-2. The loss was St Louis’ ninth in a row, their longest losing streak since May 1980.

Tough game all around. When Molina’s eighth inning drive settled into Soriano’s glove, it probably signaled the Cardinals’ last gasp at defending their 2006 World Championship. Cardinals broadcasters Mike Shannon and John Rooney seemed legitimately surprised Molina’s shot didn’t have enough legs to get out; Rooney’s initial call had all the excitement of his usual HR call, and then petered out.

Seven back with 16 to go, and 2 teams to jump over? That’s probably it. Two had to have games, our best two starters on the hill, and we come up short. Ouch. The only thing worse than this late season collapse into a 9 game losing streak is that the Cubs have handed us 3 of the 9 losses - high times indeed on Addison Avenue.

Other than not being able to drive in a runner in scoring position after Edmonds’ double (by my count, the club went 0 for 6 with RISP after the first inning), the only thing that didn’t sit well with me was the sixth. Edmonds reaches on Soriano’s gift; Molina sacrifices him to third; Cairo’s the hitter. Runner on third and one out. Two questions. A - why not pinch-hit for Cairo? Granted, LaRussa’s right handed options were a little limited (Bennett, Stinnett, Spiezio), but you need that insurance run. B - why not try to squeeze in the run? It may very well be that’s what LaRussa had in mind, but Cairo fouling out to first on the first pitch kinda makes it hard to put a play on.

Even more urgently than before Friday’s game, the Cardinals need to re-group and get out of this losing streak. The Cubs have been putting nails in the coffin all week; there’s no need to let them shovel dirt on our grave as well. Piniero attempts to break the hex in the night half of today’s double dip.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 15th, 2007 at 4:22 pm and is filed under 2007 Cardinals, Cardinals analysis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.