Well That Was Fun

Nothing like a mid-morning romp to lift your spirits. Nothing like scoring a baker's dozen to make you forget about offensive struggles.

Chris Carpenter's team record for RBIs in a game by a pitcher (6) was only 3 off the major league record. Tony Cloninger holds the record, with 9, set on 3 July 1966. That day he hit not one but TWO grand slams against the San Francisco Giants. Atlanta won 17-3.

Some other random thoughts:

- Carpenter is the seventh Cardinal hurler to win an ERA title. He's the first since Joe Magrane in 1988 (2.18), and the first right-hander since John Denny in 1977 (2.34). Here are the other winners:

Gibson (1968) - 1.12
Harry 'the Cat' Breechen (1948) - 2.24
Howie Pollet (1946) - 2.10
Max Lanier (1943) - 1.90
Mort Cooper (1942) - 1.78
Bill Doak (1921, 1914) - 2.59 and 1.72, respectively

- Molina left the game with a strained quadricep, but it's being reported as not serious. I would expect him to miss tonight but play Saturday and Sunday.

- The Cardinal rotation is set for the NLDS - Carpenter/Wainwright/Pineiro. Now all we need is an opponent.

- St Louis pulled within a game of Philadelphia for second best record. They trail LA by 2 games. Cardinals and Rockies have the same won/loss record at 91-68. By my read of the standings, should LA win tonight they clinch both the NL West and best record in the league. They could only be 2 up on Philly with 2 to play, but LA won the season series from Philadelphia 4-3 so they hold that tiebreaker.

Everyone stay healthy this weekend. The real season starts Wednesday.