Lance Berkman Injury: Cardinals First Baseman Has Minor Tear In Calf

The news out of St. Louis on Thursday was not good for first baseman Lance Berkman. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Cardinals slugger will miss at least the remainder of the weekend's games:

Berkman says MRI revealed minor tear of calf. Team medical staff told him to target Tues return. "More than reasonable," he said. #STLcards

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 12, 2012

Berkman hit an impressive 31 homers to go with a .301/.412/.547 slash in 2011. Through 23 PA in the 2012 season, Berkman has hit two doubles and a triple in a hot start to the year. The 36-year-old Berkman signed a 2-year deal with the Cardinals in 2011.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more news, notes and analysis concerning St. Louis, visit the Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos. For more from around the league, check out Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Final Score: Chris Heisey Hits Walk-Off Single, St. Louis Loses 4-3

The St. Louis Cardinals lost 4-3 to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon thanks to a pinch-hit, walk-off RBI single from Cincinnati outfielder Chris Heisey. St. Louis led 3-1 after four innings, but the Reds came back to tie the game before ultimately sealing the victory in the ninth inning.

After Marc Rzepczynski came in to replace Kyle McClellan on the mound to begin the ninth inning, he promptly gave up a double to slugger Joey Votto. The Cardinals then walked Ryan Ludwick to set up a potential double-play opportunity for the infield.

But Rzepczynski managed to strike out the Reds' next hitter, Jay Bruce, leading to a little bit of strategy from both sides. With the right-handed Heisey coming in to pinch-hit for Miguel Cairo, St. Louis brought in right-handed reliever Fernando Salas to take over for Rzepczynski.

After a first-pitch strike from Salas, Heisey drove the next pitch into deep center field, outside the grasp of the Cardinals' Jon Jay. That scored Votto, who finished the day 4-for-5 with two doubles, to give Cincinnati the comeback win. St. Louis drops to 5-2 on the season while the Reds are now 3-3.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visitViva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Score Update: St. Louis Leads 3-1

The St. Louis Cardinals are leading 3-1 over the Cincinnati Reds in the middle of the fourth inning of Wednesday afternoon's game. Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia has given up seven hits already, but the Reds have still mustered just a single run.

The Cardinals got the lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI triple from shortstop Rafael Furcal that knocked in Garcia. The next batter, center fielder Jon Jay, smacked a two-run homer to put St. Louis up 3-0. It was Jay's first home run of the season.

Cincinnati responded in the bottom of the fourth by getting an RBI double from first baseman Joey Votto following a pair of singles from center fielder Drew Stubbs and shortstop Zack Cozart. With two guys in scoring position and zero outs, it seemed like the Reds would make a rally, but Garcia proceeded to strike out Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce before getting a groundout from Miguel Cairo to end the inning.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visitViva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Brewers: Garcia On The Mound For Final Game Of Series

The St. Louis Cardinals have the best record in baseball and lead the entire majors in runs scored while posting the sixth best team ERA. It's hard to imagine the start of the post-Albert Pujols era going any better, but a win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday to complete a series sweep would be a nice way to cap the opening of division play.

The Cardinals rode homers from David Freese and Carlos Beltran to a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night, but if anyone is going to throw the water on St. Louis' scorching start, it may righty Johnny Cueto, who will take the hill for the Reds on Sunday. In four starts vs. the Cardinals last season, Cueto posted a 2.60 ERA in 27.2 innings, and though that number is actually higher than his overall ERA for the 2011 season, it's still not one that was beneficial to St. Louis. Cueto was solid, too, in his first start of the season, allowing no earned runs and three hits in seven innings vs. the Miami Marlins.

St. Louis will counter with lefty Jaime Garcia, who was steady but far from spectacular in his first start of the season vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. But in three starts last season vs. the Reds, Garcia dazzled Cincinnati, allowing only three earned runs in 19 innings while striking out 16.

Game date/time: Wednesday, April 11, 11:35 a.m. CT

Location: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: Fox Sports Midwest

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Brandon Phillips Contract: Cincinnati Reds Have Enormous Cable TV Bubble To Thank

Cardinals Vs. Reds Final Score: St. Louis Downs Cincinnati 3-1

Three St. Louis Cardinals pitchers held the Cincinnati Reds to just four hits on Tuesday night as the Cardinals secured a 3-1 victory at Great American Ball Park. The victory means St. Louis will win the three-game series against its NL Central rival. The Cardinals improve to 5-1 on the season, while the Reds fall to 2-3.

Starter Kyle Lohse went six innings, allowing four hits and one run. From there, Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte cruised through the last three innings to nail down the win for St. Louis.

Every Cardinals run came via the long ball. Carlos Beltran hit a solo home run in the first inning to give St. Louis an early lead. David Freese hit a two run homer in the sixth inning, as well.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Brandon Phillips Extension: Reds Extend Their Franchise Second Baseman Tuesday Afternoon

The Cincinnati Reds (2-2) announced a significant contract extension for 2B Brandon Phillips on Tuesday afternoon. According to ESPN.com, the Reds have completed negotiations on a six-year, $72.5 million extension for the 30-year-old second baseman.

Over the last six years, Phillips has cemented himself as one of the league's best second baseman. Since 2006, Phillips has hit 124 home runs and stolen 135 bases, and last season, Phillips hit an impressive .300/.353/.457 slash with 18 homers and 14 steals.

Phillips and the Reds take on the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday evening with first pitch at 6:10 p.m. CDT.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Preview: St. Louis Can Claim Series Win On Tuesday

The St. Louis Cardinals have jumped out to a strong 4-1 start this season, and after securing a 7-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener on Monday, they can claim another series victory with a follow-up performance on Tuesday night. Kyle Lohse takes the mound again after a brilliant performance back on April 4 against the Miami Marlins when he gave up just earned one run and two hits over 7 1/3 innings. As for the Reds, Mike Leake will make his first start of the season even though it pushes opening day starter Johnny Cueto back a day on his schedule. Brandon Phillips left the game on Monday with leg cramps, but the team says it does not appear to be serious, and the 30-year old second baseman is listed day-to-day.

Here is everything you need to find the game on Tuesday night.

Date / Time: Tuesday, April 10, 6:10 p.m. CT first pitch

Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Starting Pitchers: Kyle Lohse (1-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. Mike Leake (0-0)

TV: MLB Network, FOX Sports Midwest

Radio: AM 1120 KMOX (click here for full list of affiliates)

Streaming: MLB.tv

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Brandon Phillips Injury: Hamstring Cramps Not Serious, Per Cincinnati Reds

Brandon Phillips, looking for a contract extension that would keep him a Cincinnati Red for, say, one-half of a Joey Votto Unit, left Tuesday's loss to the St. Louis Cardinals with a hamstring injury after scoring the Reds' only run on a Jake Westbrook error. Luckily for his agent and Reds fans everywhere, it does not appear to be serious.

Phillips, in the last season of a five-year deal signed after he went 30-30 in 2007, hit .300/.353/.457 last year with 18 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 82 RBI. After years of his overall production being held back by a mediocre on-base percentage, it was the best season of his career—worth 4.1 WAR, according to Baseball-Reference, which has never been a fan of his defense.

Part of the hilariously misguided 2002 trade that sent Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore to the Cleveland Indians for the chance to pretend the Montreal Expos weren't going to be moved, he arrived in Cincinnati in exchange for Jeff Stevens, the second-best player named Stevens ever to be traded for @DatDudeBP.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Final Score: St. Louis Downs Cincinnati 7-1

The St. Louis Cardinals improved to 4-1 on the season by defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Monday night. Starter Jake Westbrook keyed the victory, going seven innings and allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out two.

St. Louis scored four runs in the top of the first inning to get off to a strong start. Matt Holliday, David Freese and Yadier Molina each hit homers in the first inning. Molina would drive in two more runs in the eighth inning with a double. Molina would later score in the inning when Matt Carpenter hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

For Cincinnati, second baseman Brandon Phillips exited the game in the top of the six inning with cramping in his left hamstring. The loss drops the Reds to 2-2.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Lineup Update: Lance Berkman Back In Lineup

STLToday.com is reporting the St. Louis Cardinals have reinserted 1B Lance Berkman into the starting lineup. The updated order puts Big Puma back in the No. 4 slot:

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Carlos Beltran, RF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Lance Berkman, 1B
5. David Freese, 3B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Jon Jay, CF
8. Daniel Descalso, 2B
9. Jake Westbrook, P

Earlier reports had indicated that Berkman was dealing with a hand injury that would keep him from playing Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds. But according to Berkman himself, the injury is not troubling him:

"It's fine," Berkman said of his hand. "I'm in (the lineup)"

The Cardinals begin their first game of the series at 7:05 p.m. CDT.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Lineups: Lance Berkman Sits With Hurting Hand

The St. Louis Cardinals (3-1) take on the Cincinnati Reds (2-1) on Monday afternoon, sending SP Jake Westbrook to the mound. The team will be without their top slugger, however, as 36-year-old Lance Berkman sits for the second game in a row with a "sore hand," according to STLToday.com.

Here is a peak at the lineups for today:

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Jon Jay, CF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. David Freese, 3B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Matt Carpenter, 1B
8. Daniel Descalso, 2B
9. Jake Westbrook, P

The 26-year-old Carpenter gets the start at first on Monday in lieu of the ailing Berkman. Carpenter has excelled the last two seasons in the minor leagues, hitting a weighted on base average of .413 and .396 in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Here is lineup for Reds, courtesy of STLToday.com:

1. Brandon Phillips, 2B
2. Zack Cozart, SS
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Scott Rolen, 3B
5. Jay Bruce, RF
6. Chris Heisey, LF
7. Drew Stubbs, CF
8. Ryan Hanigan, C
9. Homer Bailey, P

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the Cardinals visit Viva El Birdos, and for more on the Reds visit Red Reporter. For news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Reds Preview: Intense Rivalry Picks Up In 2012

The Cardinals continue their early tour of NL Central parks as they hit Cincinnati and the hated Reds.

Choose Your Own Adventure #1: St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Cincinnati Reds

Like Mike Leake in a Macy's, adulthood has stolen many of my fondest memories. However, it has not taken my memory of the days when I once ruled the world and was allowed to CHOOSE MY OWN ADVENTURE(!).

Anyway, this is awkward... So, here we are.