Archive for month: September, 2019

Matt Carpenter put the Cardinals in position to score in the fifth inning. But it was Harrison Bader who scored to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead against Washington.

Carpenter opened the fifth inning with a double over the head of right fielder Adam Eaton. He went to third base on a ground out by Yadier Molina.

Manager Mike Shildt then opted to have Bader run for Carpenter. Bader broke for the plate immediately when Paul DeJong followed with a chopper to the left of pitcher Max Scherzer, who had no choice but to get the out at first as Bader scored.

Adam Wainwright has allowed five hits in five innings in holding the Nationals scoreless.

Edman hits 10th homer

Tommy Edman had never faced Max Scherzer, yet he found himself in the Cardinals’ lineup, playing right field today.

His first attempt was a smashing success. Edman hit a home run into the bullpen in right field for the team’s first hit in the third inning and the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead over Washington at Busch Stadium.

Scherzer has struck out five through three innings. The only other hard hit ball came on a line drive hit by Adam Wainwright at left fielder Juan Soto for an out.

Wainwright has allowed three singles in the first three innings. The National put runners at first and second in the second inning when Matt Carpenter had a ground ball go through his legs and Yan Gomes singled.

Scherzer then singled to right field, but Edman easily threw out Victor Robles at the plate as he tried to score from second base.

Carpenter in lineup

Matt Carpenter will start today against Washington after being out of the lineup for five games. He will play third base and bat fifth as the Cardinals play their final home game before a seven-game road trip.

Carpenter last started the final game at Colorado last week. He is hitting .286 for his career against Nationals starter Max Scherzer.

“He’s fresh, ready to go,” manager Mike Shildt said. “He’s getting his at-bats. I’m sure not as many as he’d like. But he’s getting at-bats off the bench. His last three, four at-bats have been favorable and he looks good and in a good place. Last night he got a good swing on that fastball. He’s in a good place and ready to get out there and play.”

Carpenter is 6-for-21 against Scherzer. Marcell Ozuna also has had some success, hitting .303 against the righthander with two home runs.

However, there are more players in the lineup that have struggled against him. Dexter Fowler is 4-for-24, Paul Goldschmidt 2-for-22, Yadier Molina 1-for-14 and Kolten Wong 3-for-17.

Shildt was asked specifically about Fowler, who has struck out 12 times against Scherzer, as has Goldschmidt.

“Numbers are interesting because they do matter,” Shildt said. “I can’t say we don’t look at them. We also realize they come from different places. He could have lined out eight times. That’s part of it. The other part is Dexter is in a good place. He’s playing well and is a big part of what we’re doing at the top of the lineup.”

Source: https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/cardinals-score-in-fifth-to-take—lead/article_ec804a16-0d75-55ce-9fd0-481046d7cc94.html