[Grahoben]

April 15:
Cardinals 4 @ Pirates 2
WP: Lance Lynn (1-2, 5.17)
LP: James McDonald (0-1, 5.11)
SV: Mitchell Boggs (5, 6.75)

We quickly scored two runs in the first inning and never really looked back as Lance Lynn was able to record his first win of the season. Daniel Descalso made the start at shortstop, going 2 for 3, but he did committ an error. Unfortunately, he is the next best shortstop on the team, but he has very little experience at the position.

April 16:
Cardinals 3 @ Pirates 4
WP: Jeff Locke (1-1, 3.38)
LP: Fernando Salas (0-1, 7.00)
SV: Jason Grilli (3, 2.70)
HR PIT: Starling Marte (3)

Westbrook had another solid outing, but our bullpen could not hot the slim lead as Fernando Salas allowed two runs in the seventh. Greg Garcia recorded his first MLB hit, going 2-4 with an RBI.

April 17:
Cardinals 3 @ Pirates 5
WP: A.J. Burnett (1-1, 4.15)
LP: Shelby Miller (1-2, 5.40)
SV: Jason Grilli (4, 2.35)
HR: STL: Carlos Beltran 2 (4) PIT: Garrett Jones (2)

We quickly fell behind by three runs after the second inning, and although Carlos Beltran hit two home runs to tighten up the score, we could not win the game.

This was a pretty disappointing series, as it is very frustrating to lose close games like these. This season has certainly gone much worse than expected so far, and we will need to start winning quickly to save this season.

Around the League:
4/16
Braves starter Paul Maholm will be out of action for 7 months as he recovers from a torn rotator cuff.
Orioles LHP Troy Patton will miss eight months with a torn labrum.
2B Joe Thurston signs with Miami for 1 year ($1,790,000).

4/17
RP Jeremy Affeldt signs a two year extension with San Francisco worth $8,600,000.


Up next: Four games in Philly against the 6-9 Phillies.