SB Nation St. Louis - Cardinals Vs. Marlins: St. Louis Wins Series Rubber Match Behind 9th Inning Rallyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2012-07-08T16:59:05-05:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29049892012-07-08T16:59:05-05:002012-07-08T16:59:05-05:00Marlins Vs. Cardinals Final Score: 9th Inning Rally Gives St. Louis 5-4 Victory
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> scored three runs in the ninth inning to steal the series rubber match with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> with a 5-4 victory at Busch Stadium. Shortstop <span>Rafael Furcal</span> delivered the game-winning hit, a two RBI single to left to score <span>David Freese</span> and <span>Matt Carpenter</span>. The Cardinals improve to 46-40 with the win, while Miami falls to 41-44.</p>
<p>The Marlins took a 4-2 lead into the ninth thanks to a three-run homer from pinch hitter <span>Austin Kearns</span> in the top of the seventh inning. Catcher <span>Tony Cruz</span> got the scoring started for St. Louis in the ninth with a sacrifice fly to score <span>Allen Craig</span>.</p>
<p>Cards starter <span>Joe Kelly</span> allowed two hits and one run (zero earned) over six innings while walking five and striking out five.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,'Liberation Sans',FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a> and <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/8/3145504/marlins-vs-cardinals-final-scoreRicky O'Donnell2012-07-08T11:24:42-05:002012-07-08T11:24:42-05:00Cardinals Vs. Marlins Preview: Joe Kelly Looks To Continue Home Success
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The first half has been a tumultuous one for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>, but with a win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> on Sunday, St. Louis can enter the All-Star break six games over .500 and well within striking distance of the first place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>. Standing in their way are the Miami Marlins, who are limping into the break without star right fielder <span>Giancarlo Stanton</span>.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">On Sunday the Cardinals will hand the ball to starter <span>Joe Kelly</span>, who in three home starts this season has posted a 2.93 ERA. But all is not what it may seem: Kelly has been able to prevent runs, but he's also allowed 25 baserunners in those innings. On the season, opponents are batting .297 against him, and that will need to come down if he wants to keep his run prevention down in the future.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Marlins are countering with <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, who, after a sizzling April and May, endured a rough June that saw him post a 7.06 ERA. July didn't start any better for him, as he gave up five earned runs in five innings to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> in his last start.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Game date/time: </b>Sunday, July 8, 1:15 p.m. CT</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Location: </b>Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>TV: </b>FSN Midwest</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a> and <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img style="margin-left: -15px;" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/8/3144940/cardinals-vs-marlins-preview-mlbJordan Sargent2012-07-08T06:00:12-05:002012-07-08T06:00:12-05:00Marlins Vs. Cardinals: St. Louis May Opt To Start Rookie C Bryan Anderson
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Despite backup C <span>Tony Cruz</span> hitting the <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/7/3143997/marlins-vs-cardinals-final-score/in/2904989">crucial, game-winning triple</a> in Saturday's win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>, it appears likely the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> will opt to start callup C <span>Bryan Anderson</span> will SP <span>Joe Kelly</span> pitching for the Cards. Anderson, who had only a .568 OPS in the minor leagues this season, had previously served as Kelly's battery mate, potentially giving him an advantage calling the game.</p>
<p>Anderson, 25 years old, has spent large parts of the last four seasons in the Triple-A. Getting his first chance in the majors since 2010 has been <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/anderson-might-get-to-catch-sunday/article_3e8918fc-c8a9-11e1-a8b3-001a4bcf6878.html">a major goal for him:</a></p>
<blockquote>"[Triple-A is] not some place you want to be that long," said Anderson, 25. "I'm just trying to improve my game so that some day I can get out of there.
<p>"It's not your goal growing up to play in Memphis for your life."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Cards are presently without their All-Star catcher, C <span>Yadier Molina</span>, as he is <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/6/3141980/yadier-molina-bereavement-st-louis-cardinals-bryan-anderson/in/2904989">away on the bereavement list</a>.</p>
<p><em>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a> and <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation" title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" style="margin-left: -15px;"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/8/3144296/marlins-vs-cardinals-bryan-andersonBradley Woodrum2012-07-07T20:20:16-05:002012-07-07T20:20:16-05:00Marlins Vs. Cardinals Final Score: Tony Cruz Triple Gives St. Louis 3-2 Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>With C <span>Yadier Molina</span> away from the team while <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/6/3141980/yadier-molina-bereavement-st-louis-cardinals-bryan-anderson/in/2904989">on the bereavement list</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> (46-40) needed their reserve, C <span>Tony Cruz</span>, to step up against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> (41-44). And Cruz indeed meet the challenge, hitting a triple in the fourth inning on Saturday to give the Cards a 3-2 win.</p>
<p>SP <span>Kyle Lohse</span> (W, 9-2) got the win as he pitched 7.0 strong innings, allowing only 2 earned runs on 4 strikeouts, 1 walk and 1 home run allowed. On the other side, SP <span>Carlos Zambrano</span> (L, 4-7) lasted only 5.0 innings with 4 strikeouts, 2 walks and no home runs allowed, but he did allow all 3 of the Cardinals runs.</p>
<p>The crucial runs came in the fourth inning. 1B <span>Allen Craig</span> (3 for 4 on the day) hit a leadoff single. 3B <span>David Freese</span> followed with a walk, then 2B Skip Shumaker singled to left, putting the score at 2-1, Miami lead. Cruz then connected for his only hit of the day, a line drive triple to right field to put the Cardinals up 3-2. </p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<table class="box-score">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="td-left"> Final - 7.7.2012 </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>E</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> Miami Marlins </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
<td class="highlight">6</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> St. Louis Cardinals </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>X</td>
<td class="highlight">3</td>
<td class="highlight">8</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="13">WP: Kyle Lohse (9 - 2) <br> SV: <span>Jason Motte</span> (20) <br> LP: Carlos Zambrano (4 - 7)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><em>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a> and <a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</em></p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img style="margin-left: -15px;" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/7/3143997/marlins-vs-cardinals-final-scoreBradley Woodrum2012-07-07T12:22:06-05:002012-07-07T12:22:06-05:00Cardinals Vs. Marlins Lineups: Schumaker Get Starts At Second, Holliday Okay After HBP
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> left fielder </span><span>Matt Holliday</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> was taken out of Friday night's game after being hit by </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> closer </span><span>Heath Bell</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> in the ninth inning, but Holliday is apparently feeling just fine and will be in the lineup when the two teams take the field on Saturday afternoon. The only change to St. Louis' lineup from last night's game is the insertion of </span><span>Skip Schumaker</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">— who doubled off Bell in that ninth— at second base.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Here are the full lineups for both teams:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cardinals</b></p>
<ol>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Rafael Furcal</span>, SS</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Jon Jay</span>, CF<br></span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;">Matt Holliday, LF<br></span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Carlos Beltran</span>, RF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Allen Craig</span>, 1B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>David Freese</span>, 3B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;">Skip Schumaker, 2B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Tony Cruz</span>, C</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Kyle Lohse</span>, P</span></font></li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;"><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><b>Marlins</b></span></font></p>
<ol>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Jose Reyes</span>, SS</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Hanley Ramirez</span>, 3B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;">Carlos Lee, 1B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Giancarlo Stanton</span>, RF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Logan Morrison</span>, LF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Justin Ruggiano</span>, CF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Donovan Solano</span>, 2B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Brett Hayes</span>, C</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Carlos Zambrano</span>, P</span></font></li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For more in-depth coverage of this series,</i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> and<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> </b></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"><a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img style="margin-left: -15px;" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/7/3143281/cardinals-vs-marlins-lineups-mlbJordan Sargent2012-07-07T10:14:58-05:002012-07-07T10:14:58-05:00Cardinals 2B Situation Puts Squeeze On Skip Schumaker, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> have a bit of an issue at second base, and with <span>Matt Carpenter</span> making a spot start there are plenty of questions about how <span>Skip Schumaker</span>, <span>Daniel Descalso</span> and <span>Tyler Greene</span> fit into the situation going forward. Joe Strauss of the <i>St. Louis Post-Dispatch</i> spoke with manager Mike Matheny about that issue, and <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/matheny-addresses-logjam-at-second-base/article_9fd13388-c82c-11e1-85a1-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">Matheny noted that it's about the success of the team right now</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"They should want to be in there. I get that. But I also believe if I'm more concerned about that and not what gives us the best chance to win it's not the right situation.</p>
<p>"I care about each of these guys. I've made that very clear. I'll continue to. And whether they buy it or not isn't up to me. I want to see them all succeed individually. But I want to see us all succeed collectively. There are going to be tough times like that. Everyone has them."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Greene could be the odd-man out, as Strauss mentions that he has struggled at the plate and only owns <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/matheny-addresses-logjam-at-second-base/article_9fd13388-c82c-11e1-85a1-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">one extra-base hit since May 28</a>. Overall, Cardinals second basemen rank in the bottom half of the National League in batting average and on-base percentage for 2012.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. </i><i>For more in-depth coverage of this series,</i><i>check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a></i><i> and<b> </b></i><i><a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. </i><i>News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/7/3143070/cardinals-skip-schumaker--tyler-greene-daniel-descalsoSteve von Horn2012-07-07T08:52:09-05:002012-07-07T08:52:09-05:00Marlins Vs. Cardinals: Giancarlo Stanton Expected To Start On Saturday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>As if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> didn't already have enough on their plate in trying to slow down a red-hot <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> team that has won seven of their last nine games, star slugger <span>Giancarlo Stanton</span> is expected return to the starting lineup on Saturday. Stanton appeared for one pinch-hit at-bat on Friday (a strikeout), but he hasn't started since July 2 due to a loose body in his knee. His plan is to start on Saturday and to use that a a launching point for his participation in 2012 All-Star Weekend festivities.</p>
<p>Cardinals starter <span>Kyle Lohse</span> has the task of slowing down the Marlins' lineup, while Cardinals hitter will look to touch up Miami starter <span>Carlos Zambrano</span>.</p>
<p><b>Game Date & Time</b>: Saturday, July 7, 3:10 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: Fox Sports Midwest</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. </i><i>For more in-depth coverage of this series,</i><i>check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a></i><i> and<b> </b></i><i><a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. </i><i>News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation" title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/7/3142964/cardinals-vs-marlins-giancarlo-stanton-start-on-saturdaySteve von Horn2012-07-06T23:23:43-05:002012-07-06T23:23:43-05:00Cardinals Vs. Marlins Final Score: Cardinals Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 3-2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/udxen_CkerNq9S-Cf1G8gw1rd5g=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828135/large_stlouis.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> had the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> in a vulnerable position in the bottom of the ninth of Friday night's ballgame. Down 3-2, St. Louis had runners on first and second with two outs. <span>Carlos Beltran</span> was at the plate and Marlins closer <span>Heath Bell</span> was on the verge of the type of implosion that has been routine for him in 2012. But Bell got Beltran to chop a grounder up the middle, where it was fielded by Marlins second baseman <span>Omar Infante</span>, who whipped the ball across his body and got Beltran at first by a step.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">But, truly, St. Louis probably shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. The Cardinals tallied ten hits prior to the ninth inning, but only cashed in a single run. They also were sloppy in the field, gifting the Marlins their first run thanks to two errors by <span>David Freese</span> and ensuring that a second one would score when <span>Jake Westbrook</span> airmailed a throw to first on a <span>Jose Reyes</span> dribbler in the seventh, though Reyes would've almost certainly been safe either way.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The eventual game-winning run came for Miami in the eighth inning, when <span>Logan Morrison</span> smacked a homer to right field off St. Louis reliever <span>Maikel Cleto</span> to bring the score to 3-1. It was that type of big blast that the Cardinals, who left 20 men on base, couldn't seem to run into on Friday night.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The two teams will be back on the field tomorrow at 3:10 p.m. CT.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For more in-depth coverage of this series,</i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">check out <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> and<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> </b></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"><a href="http://www.fishstripes.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Marlins blog Fish Stripes</a>. </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #703600; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img style="margin-left: -15px;" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/7/6/3142613/cardinals-vs-marlins-final-score-mlbJordan Sargent