Chris Carpenter is baaaaack

[CrazyEights]

Chris Carpenter toyed with the Pirates hitters today for seven innings. The Pirates scored on an walk and an error by Pujols, but Carp didn't give up a hit until 6 and 2/3 innings into the game. He lasted 7 innings giving up one unearned run, one hit, two BB, and secen K's. The Cards bullpen took over in the 8th inning and slammed the door shut on the game by making the next six guys sit down in order.

The Cardinals win 2-1

[bcshorts]

He was definitely back. I watched that game this afternoon, and he looked about as dominant as I've ever seen him. Of course he was facing the Pirates, but still. Taking a no hitter into the seventh is never something to scoff at.

Reyes got the save today, which makes me wonder if he or Ryan Franklin are going to get more shots at the closers gig, or if it was just a matchups thing with lefties coming up for the Buccos?

[CrazyEights]

The announcers said that they weren't going to use Motte today since he threw 29 pitches the other day. Although, I wouldn't be surprised by anything that LaRussa does. Motte will probably be back in the 9th tomorrow if he is needed.

It sure would be nice to have Fuentes right now. He has been lights out so far this season.

As far as it being the Pirates that Carp faced, well, their line-up has had fun so far this series. Carpenter is the only one that has shut them down so far. Carpenter's problem has never been his performance, it has always been his health. When he is healthy.... you better watch out.... it's Cy Carpenter!!!

[love_that_reefer]

Great to see Carpenter back and in full form. When he is healthy, he is a top five pitcher. I was very glad to see the Cards going with Reyes in the closer role. At least he knows what he is doing back there and is a lefty to boot.

[CrazyEights]

At least he knows what he is doing back there and is a lefty to boot.

He does? He has two saves in his entire career, and those came in 1999. I'm not saying that I don't think he should get a chance at being closer, but I don't see how you can say he knows what he is doing back there when he has even less experience as closer than Perez.

I sure wish we had Lights Out Fuentes. He's the solution to all of our problems.

[love_that_reefer]

He is a veteran reliever who has been around the game a long time. Much rather have him than a guy who has only been pitching for three years. So yeah, he does!

Fuentes and Motte have the same amount of blown saves

Look how well Schumaker has played the field. That was a great idea!!

[CrazyEights]

He is a veteran reliever who has been around the game a long time. Much rather have him than a guy who has only been pitching for three years. So yeah, he does!

Fuentes and Motte have the same amount of blown saves

Look how well Schumaker has played the field. That was a great idea!!

Yep, but Motte costs tens of Millions less than Lights Out Fuentes.

[cjkalt]

Guys...its the pirates, lets see what he does against a decent team before thinking he's back for good

[love_that_reefer]

Yep, but Motte costs tens of Millions less than Lights Out Fuentes.

And Fuentes will have more saves than the entire Cards team

[love_that_reefer]

Guys...its the pirates, lets see what he does against a decent team before thinking he's back for good

That same Pirates team that split with the Cards? Look at Carp's performance of attacking the strike zone. That is vintage Carpenter, doesn't matter if it was the Pirates or Cubs. That is what Carp does best, attacking the strike zone and getting groundball outs.

[Witlon]

The story today wasn't Carp. The story today was the putrid Cards offense not getting anything going until the 7th against Ross Ohlendorf.

As for the reason Motte didn't come in, we had 2 lefties and a switch hitter due up in the 9th. They went with the guy that, *gasp*, gets lefties out.

[love_that_reefer]

I hope the Cards face more lefties in the 9th

[CrazyEights]

The story today wasn't Carp. The story today was the putrid Cards offense not getting anything going until the 7th against Ross Ohlendorf.

That isn't much of a story though. The Cards always have a tough time against the pitchers that they are supposed to beat. They can usually handle the Aces pretty well, but it's htat #4 and #5 starter that confuses them.

[missionhockey21]

Pirates or not, this was a big time start for Carpenter. This is a guy that has defied the odds before in terms of bouncing back from surgery and he appears to be ready for another successful comeback. If he is back though, the dynamic of the Cards team is completely different, as well as perhaps the Wild Card.

[love_that_reefer]

How could Carpenter going into the 7th with a no hitter not be the story?