2013 St. Louis Cardinals

[progen]

Man, you guys couldn't win a game even if you paid the umps, and now a six game winning streak! Only two games under .500, not bad! Still a long way to go! Trade deadline could get interesting! Will you be buyers or sellers??

[Grahoben]

I will probably try to buy some relief pitching since we have one of the worst bullpen ERAs in the league, and also speed since we only have 2 steals all year. I will also try to get a shortstop since Kozma isn't really producing at the plate.

[Grahoben]

May 27:
Cardinals 8 @ Royals 3
WP: Jaime Garcia (3-8, 5.49)
LP: Bruce Chen (4-2, 4.40)
HR: STL: Matt Holliday (7) KC: Eric Hosmer (6)

Kansas City made it a two run game after scoring two runs in the eighth, a three-run homer by Holliday in the ninth sealed the game.

May 28:
Cardinals 1 @ Royals 4
WP: Wade Davis (5-5, 4.03)
LP: Lance Lynn (6-4, 3.65)
SV: Greg Holland (12, 2.45)

Lance Lynn was rather ineffective, allowing eight hits and striking out just two in five innings. Meanwhile, we only scored one run and could never really get the bats going.

May 29:
Royals 1 @ Cardinals 2 (10)
WP: Trevor Rosenthal (1-1, 3.42)
LP: Tim Collins (0-1, 3.68)
HR: KC: George Kottaras (2)

Trevor Rosenthal came in for the ninth and allowed George Kottaras to tie the game with a home run, but fortunately David Freese came through with an RBI single in the tenth to win the game.

After the game, Ty Wigginton once again showed his anger and requested a trade. We quickly sent him packing to Toronto, in exchange for utility IF/OF Eugenio Velez. Velez is a switch-hitter with blazing speed, and although he is not great in the field, we are very happy with his .306 average and 12 steals.

May 30:
Royals 7 @ Cardinals 6
WP: James Shields (5-7, 6.42)
LP: Shelby Miller (4-5, 2.84)
HR: KC: Billy Butler (13)
SV: Greg Holland (13, 2.82)

We nearly came back in this game, scoring four in the ninth, but ultimately we dug ourselves in a deep hole early and we could never completely recover.

May 31:
Giants 9 @ Cardinals 5
WP: Barry Zito (4-0, 4.06)
LP: Adam Wainwright (9-2, 2.26)
SV: Javier Lopez (1, 2.59)
HR: SF: Andres Torres (1), Hunter Pence (7) STL: Pete Kozma (3)

Adam Wainwright's numbers took a big hit as he was crushed for six runs in five innings. Our offense kept up for a while, but the San Francisco bullpen shut us down for the last four innings.

Around the League:
5/29
A's starter Brett Anderson continues his hot start as he shuts out San Francisco 5-0.
Angels OF Josh Hamilton is out three months with a ruptured finger tendon.

5/30
Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez hits three home runs in a 4-3 win over the Angels.
Jacoby Ellsbury will miss six weeks with a fractured wrist.

6/1
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw will miss 2-3 months after suffering a partially torn labrum.
Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio will miss four months with a torn back muscle.

AL Batter of the Month: DET 1B Prince Fielder- .365, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R
NL Batter of the Month: MIL 3B Aramis Ramirez- .327, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 19 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: LAA SP Jered Weaver- 5-1, 1.82 ERA, 49.1 IP, 44 K
NL Pitcher of the Month: WAS SP Stephen Strasburg- 4-1, 1.37 ERA, 46 IP, 54 K
AL Rookie of the Month: TEX CF Leonys Martin- .344, 6 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 18 R, 20 RBI
NL Rookie of the Month: ARI CF Adam Eaton- .366, 34 H, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .450 OBP

[Grahoben]

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[Grahoben]

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[Grahoben]

June 1:
Giants 11 @ Cardinals 0
WP: Tim Lincecum (7-1, 2.13)
LP: Jaime Garcia (3-9, 5.88)

The Giants scored 8 runs in the first (only three earned) and that basically took us out of the game.

June 2:
Giants 7 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Ryan Vogelsong (3-9, 5.30)
LP: Lance Lynn (6-5, 4.08)
HR: SF: Brandon Belt (6)

Lance Lynn was very innefective, allowing 10 hits, 3 walks, and 6 runs. Meanwhile, our offense couldn't get anything going, as we had no extra base hits.

Around the League:
6/1
Indians pitcher Justin Masterson allowed just four hits in a 9-0 win over Tampa Bay.

6/2
Andy Pettitte struck out 10 against Boston in his 250th career victory.

AL POW: HOU C Jason Castro- 15-28, 3 HR, 12 RBI
NL POW: WAS CF Roger Bernadina- 13-30, 2 HR, 6 RBI

Standings:
1. Brewers 29-27
2. Cardinals 26-31
3. Reds 26-31
4. Cubs 25-32
5. Pirates 22-36

Matt Holliday, who has been on a tear lately, will miss about two weeks with a sore shoulder. Justin Christian has been called back up. Oscar Taveras, our best outfield prospect, is tearing up AAA pitching, but I want to wait a little longer before calling him up.

[Grahoben]

June 3:
Diamondbacks 6 @ Cardinals 1
WP: Brandon McCarthy (4-5, 3.14)
LP: Jake Westbrook (2-5, 3.97)
HR: STL: Carlos Beltran (8)

Not only did we lose again, but Carlos Beltran was injured while throwing the ball in. The severity of his injury is unknown at this time.

June 4:
Diamondbacks 4 @ Cardinals 3
WP: David Hernandez (1-0, 4.43)
LP: Trevor Rosenthal (1-2, 3.86)
SV: Brad Ziegler (8, 3.51)
HR: ARI: Miguel Montero 2 (5)

Right after we finally tied the game in the eighth Rosenthal came in and promptly allowed Miguel Montero's second home run of the game. We were able to cash in once in the ninth, but it wasn't enough to come back and win.

June 5:
Diamondbacks 1 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Adam Wainwright (10-2, 2.18)
LP: Trevor Cahill (6-3, 4.00)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (5, 3.71)
HR: STL: David Freese (5)

In a very tight game, we were able to take the lead for good in the sixth inning on David Freese's 5th home run of the year. Our bullpen pitched very well in the final two innings to end our losing streak. After the game, we find out that Carlos Beltran will miss five weeks with a biceps strain, so Oscar Taveras has been called up. He will start in right field for now.

June 6:
Diamondbacks 3 @ Cardinals 4
WP: Jaime Garcia (4-9, 5.54)
LP: Ian Kennedy (5-3, 3.28)
SV: Mitchell Boggs (7, 6.75)
HR: ARI: Cody Ross (6) STL: Allen Craig (12)

Oscar Taveras's debut was the story of this game, and he certainly did not disappoint. Taveras went 3-4, scored twice, and stole a base, as he played a big role in the win.

Around the League:
6/4
Texas 3B Mike Olt and Boston SP Jon Lester have each been suspended for 5 games after a bench clearing brawl.

6/6
Diamondbacks LF Jason Kubel is out 4 months with a broken kneecap.
Padres 3B Chase Headley goes 5-6 in an 18-2 blowout win over the Rockies.
Angels RP Ernesto Frieri will miss three months with a shoulder injury.

First Year Player Draft:

First Overall Pick (Astros): P River "Foots" Lang- Lang has good velocity and projects to be a very good starting pitcher, with great movement and control.

Top 5 Cardinals Picks:
1. SS Terrian Arbet (17)
2. SP Jake Brentz (17)
3. RP Zane Evans (21)
4. CF Mark Forrest (22)
5. 3B Conner Hale (20)

[Grahoben]

June 7:
Cardinals 4 @ Reds 6
WP: Tony Cingrani (2-3, 5.56)
LP: Lance Lynn (6-6, 4.37)
SV: Aroldis Chapman (12, 2.88)
HR: STL: Allen Craig (13) CIN: Todd Frazier (12), Jay Bruce (12)

Lance Lynn struggled again, as he allowed 5 runs in 5.1 innings. Oscar Taveras had another great game, going 2-3 with a run, RBI, and a walk.


June 8:
Cardinals 7 @ Reds 4
WP: Jake Westbrook (3-5, 4.18)
LP: Bronson Arroyo (3-6, 4.65)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (6, 3.58)
HR: STL: Oscar Taveras (1) CIN: Todd Frazier (13)

We pounded Arroyo for six runs early on, and although Cincinnati came back, we held on for the win. After the game, we found out that Matt Holliday suffered a setback, and it will be another week before he can play.

June 9:
Cardinals 3 @ Reds 6
WP: Johnny Cueto (6-3, 2.41)
LP: Marc Rzepczynski (0-1, 5.40)
SV: Aroldis Chapman (13, 2.77)
HR: STL: Oscar Taveras (2), Yadier Molina (7) CIN: Zach Lutz (2), Joey Votto (10)

After a strong outing from Shelby Miller, we allow five runs in the sixth, and the Reds solid bullpen then shuts us out for the win.

Around the League:
6/8
Marlins 1B Aaron Bates will miss a few days after injuring himself lifting weights.

6/9
Twins RF Ryan Doumit will miss 5 months with a broken elbow.
The Reds send LF Ryan Ludwick to the Mets for 3B Zach Lutz.

AL POW: CHW LF Dayan Viciedo- 14-29, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R
NL POW: LAD 1B Adrian Gonzalez- 15-31, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R

[Grahoben]

June 11:
Cardinals 2 @ Mets 0
WP: Adam Wainwright (11-2, 2.03)
LP: Shawn Marcum (2-3, 3.40)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (7, 3.45)

Adam Wainwright held New York to just one hit over seven innings, and our bullpen came in to slam the door to take game one of the series.

June 12:
Cardinals 10 @ Mets 3
WP: Jaime Garcia (5-9, 5.50)
LP: Taylor Whitenton (0-1, 7.94)
HR: STL: Oscar Taveras 2 (4), Allen Craig (14), Yadier Molina (8), Matt Adams (3)

Balls were flying out of Citi Field when we were up, as we hit five homers in the game. Jaime Garcia pitched well in his 5th win of the season.

June 13:
Cardinals 8 @ Mets 9
WP: Scott Atchison (2-1, 1.15)
LP: Trevor Rosenthal (1-3, 3.94)
HR: STL: Pete Kozma (4), David Freese (6) NYM: David Wright (6), Ike Davis 2 (7)

Our bullpen pretty much gave this one away as we allowed 7 runs in the last three innings.

Around the League:
Pirates starter Jeff Locke 5-hits the Giants in 5-0 win.
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg shuts out Colorado, striking out 8 in a 7-0 victory.
Pittsburgh trades 1B Jerry Sands to Oakland for 3B Hiroyuki Nakajima.
Washington trades CF Corey Brown to the Mets for 2B Justin Turner.

6/12
Mets RF Andrew Brown will miss 6-7 with a ruptured medial collateral ligament.
Atlanta trades C Gerald Laird and cash to Tampa Bay for 1B Vincent Belnome.

[Grahoben]

June 14:
Cardinals 3 @ Marlins 0
WP: Jake Westbrook (4-5, 3.81)
LP: Jose Fernandez (5-4, 3.61)
SV: Mitchell Boggs (8, 6.11)
HR: STL: Matt Carpenter (10), Pete Kozma (5)

Westbrook was masterful, allowing just three hits in seven innings. Mitchell Boggs got the save since Trevor Rosenthal threw 30 pitches yesterday.

June 15:
Cardinals 7 @ Marlins 6
WP: Shelby Miller (5-5, 2.88)
LP: Wade LeBlanc (6-5, 3.86)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (8, 3.90)
HR: STL: Justin Christian (1) MIA: Logan Morrison (3)

The game wasn't really close until the ninth, when Edward Mujica allowed four runs against his old team. Fortunately, Rosenthal was able to get Giancarlo Stanton out to end the game.

June 16:
Cardinals 0 @ Marlins 2
WP: Ricky Nolasco (6-5, 3.66)
LP: Adam Wainwright (11-3, 1.98)
SV: A.J. Ramos (9, 1.14)
HR: MIA: Giancarlo Stanton (19)

Ricky Nolasco was dominant, only allowing four hits in 8.1 innings. Wainwright was also solid, only allowing three hits in seven innings.

Around the League:
6/14
Nationals pitcher Dan Haren shuts out Cleveland 6-0.
Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario goes 5-5 in a 9-0 win over the Phillies.
San Diego's shortstop Everth Cabrera will miss another three weeks as he recovers from a torn meniscus.

6/15
Phillies CF Ben Revere and C Carlos Ruiz each get 5 hits against the Rockies, but they still lose 10-8.
Brewers LF Ryan Braun hits three homers in a 10-8 loss against the Reds.
Oakland receives SP Jason Hammel from Baltimore in exchange for three minor leaguers.

AL POW: BOS 3B Will Middlebrooks- 9-24, 5 HR, 7 RBI
NL POW: MIL LF Ryan Braun- 9-21, 4 HR, 7 RBI

Matt Holliday has been activated from the DL, and Justin Christian has been sent back to AAA Memphis.

[Grahoben]

June 17:
Cubs 4 @ Cardinals 3
WP: Matt Garza (5-5, 3.13)
LP: Joe Kelly (0-1, 6.11)
SV: James Russell (14, 2.63)
HR: CHC: Kendrys Morales (3) STL: David Freese (7)

Jaime Garcia was ineffective, allowing 11 baserunners in just 5 innings. Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 6th, but surrendered the lead on a two-run homer in the seventh.

June 18:
Cubs 2 @ Cardinals 3
WP: Edward Mujica (2-1, 5.59)
LP: Carlos Villanueva (4-3, 2.59)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (9, 3.86)

This was another close game, but we were able to come out on top this time. Lance Lynn was effective, striking out 11 in 6.1 innings. Matt Holliday injured himself running down a fly ball in the 9th. We don't know much about the injury now, but there is a chance that he makes another trip to the DL.

June 19:
Cubs 4 @ Cardinals 0
WP: Travis Wood (3-4, 2.96)
LP: Jake Westbrook (4-6, 3.64)
HR: CHC: Joshua Satin (1)

Travis Wood didn't allow a hit through six innings as we could never get the bats going. We find out that Matt Holliday is out for three weeks with back soreness. SS Ryan Jackson has been called up, as he has done well at the AAA level this year.

June 20:
Cubs 3 @ Cardinals 1
WP: Jeff Samardzija (6-6, 2.67)
LP: Shelby Miller (2.85)
SV: James Russell (15, 2.56)

Our offensive struggles continue as good pitching by Miller isn't enough to win the game.

Around the League:
6/19
Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton goes 6-6 in a 13-4 win in Arizona.
The Indians send C Yan Gomes to the Bronx in exchange for 2 minor leaguers.
The Mets trade 2B Joshua Satin the the Cubs for two minor league prospects.
The Yankees trade Andy Pettitte to Boston and cash for two minor leaguers.

[Grahoben]

June 21:
Rangers 3 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Robbie Ross (7-6, 5.46)
LP: Adam Wainwright (11-4, 2.11)
SV: Joe Nathan (19, 2.60)

You know we're struggling when even Wainwright can't win. He pitched pretty well but our offense once again did nothing.

June 22:
Rangers 0 @ Cardinals 6
WP: Jaime Garcia (6-9, 4.99)
LP: Yu Darvish (5-1, 2.72)
HR: STL: Matt Carpenter (11), Jon Jay (3)

We played many of our bench players today (Towles, Adams, Jackson), and it actually worked. With many of our big hitters either cold or injured, we will need contributions from these players moving forward.

June 23:
Rangers 0 @ Cardinals 1
WP: Trevor Rosenthal (2-3, 3.55)
LP: Joe Ortiz (2-3, 2.93)

Going into the ninth, we only had one hit, as Derek Holland was brilliant. J.R. Towles led off with a pinch-hit single, and after a fielder's choice, Ryan Jackson doubled home the winning run.

Around the League:
6/23
Mariners 3B Kyle Seager is out 7 months with a ruptured achilles tendon.
Rays 3B Evan Longoria and Yankees SP Adam Warren have each received 7 game suspensions.
Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun has another three homer game in a 7-0 win over the Braves.
Boston 1B Mike Napoli also hits 3 bombs, but his team lost 12-9 against Detroit.
Detroit 1B Victor Martinez goes 5-7 against Boston.
Brewers lefty Tom Gorzelanny will miss 6 months with a shoulder inflamation.
Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara will miss 4 months with an ulnar nerve irritation.

AL POW: DET 3B Miguel Cabrera- 10-24, 2 HR, 7 RBI
NL POW: CHC LF Alfonso Soriano- 13-26, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R

A number of trades took place this week:
Washington receives IF Todd Frazier - Cincinnati receives SS Carlos Rivero and 2B Tony Renda
Chicago (AL) receives 2B Yangervis Solarte - Texas receives RP Nate Jones
Atlanta receives 2B Robinson Cano - New York (AL) receives 5 minor leaguers
Milwaukee receives RP Jim Johnson - Baltimore receives two minor leaguers.

[Grahoben]

June 25:
Cardinals 5 @ Astros 3
WP: Jake Westbrook (5-6, 3.46)
LP: Lucas Harrell (5-8, 4.86)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (10, 3.44)
HR: STL: Matt Adams (4) HOU: Jose Altuve (7), Jason Castro (13)

We were able to score five runs on only nine hits as we left very few runners on base. Adron Chambers started it off with a two-run single in the second inning and we never looked back.

June 26:
Cardinals 7 @ Astros 0
WP: Shelby Miller (6-6, 2.59)
LP: John Ely (2-10, 5.04)
HR: STL: David Freese (8)

Shelby Miller dominated the Astros lineup, as he tossed the first shuttout of his young career. Miller struck out 12, walked none, and only allowed five hits.

Around the League:
6/26
Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks extends his hitting streak to 20 games.
Indians SP Trevor Bauer throws a 2-hitter against Baltimore.

6/27
Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg improves to 10-3 after throwing another shuttout. Strasburg's ERA is down to 1.21 on the year.

[Grahoben]

June 28:
Cardinals 5 @ Athletics 6
WP: Ryan Cook (2-4, 2.85)
LP: Fernando Salas (0-2, 4.04)
HR: OAK: Brandon Moss (8), Josh Donaldson (3), Chris Young (9)

Jon Jay tied the game in the ninth with a two-run triple, but Chris Young hit a lead off homer in the bottom half of the inning to win the game.

June 29:
Cardinals 3 @ Athletics 2 (13)
WP: Trevor Rosenthal (3-3, 3.22)
LP: Grant Balfour (0-2, 4.82)
SV: Fernando Salas (1, 3.93)

We only had five hits in this 13-inning affair, but our pitching held up until the 13th when we took the lead and won.

June 30:
Cardinals 5 @ Athletics 3
WP: Joe Kelly (1-1, 5.68)
LP: Hideki Okajima (0-2, 4.35)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (11, 3.13)
HR: OAK: John Jaso (5)

Down by one, we were able to score 3 runs in the ninth, and Trevor Rosenthal closed the game out to record save #11 on the season.

Around the League:
6/29
Toronto 1B Edwin Encarnacion and Boston RP Andrew Miller have each been suspended 9 games.

6/30
Brewers LF Ryan Braun will miss 4 weeks with a seperated shoulder.
Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton is out for 3-4 weeks with a torn meniscus.
The Yankees trade LHP Boone Logan to Pittsburgh for minor league CF Barrett Barnes.

AL POW: CLE SS Asdrubal Cabrera- 12-26, 3 HR, 10 RBI
NL POW: LAD 3B Hanley Ramirez- 14-31, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 8 R

AL Hitter of the Month: TOR RF Jose Bautista- .330 AVG, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R
NL Hitter of the Month: LAD 3B Hanley Ramirez- .374 AVG, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 24 R
AL Pitcher of the Month: KC SP Wade Davis- 6-0, 2.09 ERA, 38 K, 43 IP
NL Pitcher of the Month: SF SP Tim Lincecum- 6-0, 1.06 ERA, 53 K, 42.1 IP
AL Rookie of the Month: TEX SS Jurickson Profar- .287 AVG, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 14 R
NL Rookie of the Month: PIT SS Hiroyuki Nakajima- .269 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 13 R

[Grahoben]

..

[Grahoben]

July 2:
Cardinals 1 @ Angels 2
WP: Scott Downs (5-0, 0.74)
LP: Mitchell Boggs (0-3, 5.86)

We didn't score a run until the top of the ninth against a dominant Jered Weaver, but Mitchell Boggs gave up the winning run in the bottom half.

July 3:
Cardinals 7 @ Angels 4
WP: Shelby Miller (7-6, 2.70)
LP: C.J. Wilson (2-4, 4.80)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (12, 3.05)
HR: STL: Jon Jay (4), Allen Craig 2 (16)

Shelby Miller gave us another good outing, striking out 11 Angels in 6 innings. Allen Craig, who has struggled lately, went 2-3 with 2 HR, 3 runs, and 3 RBI. Craig also drew 2 walks.

July 4:
Cardinals 3 @ Angels 4 (11)
WP: Scott Downs (6-0, 0.70)
LP: Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.77)
HR: STL: Oscar Taveras (5)

We had a 3-0 lead going after the top of the fifth, but the Angels came back by scoring 3 in the next two innings. Finally, they scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th on a sac fly.

Around the League:
7/1
Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese strikes out 15 D-Backs in a 4-2 victory.

7/2
Nats SS Ian Desmond is out 3 weeks with a strained hamstring.
Boston 3B Will Middlebrooks extends his hitting streak to 25 games.
CWS IF Jeff Keppinger goes 5-5 in a 17-3 blowout over the Orioles.
Baltimore trades RP Luis Ayala to Toronto for two minor leaguers.

7/3
Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia goes 5-5 in an 11-5 victory over San Diego in an interleague matchup.
Twins 1B Chris Parmelee gets traded to Washington for Denard Span.
Oakland receives 1B Mitch Moreland from Texas, who in return receives reliever Ryan Cook.
Will Middlebrooks ends his hitting streak at 26 as his team loses 3-2 to the Padres.
The Rangers receive SP Shawn Marcum from Milwaukee in exchange for 3 minor leaguers.


Matt Holliday will be out at least two more weeks, as he suffers another setback.

[Grahoben]

July 11:
Cardinals 5 @ Cubs 2
WP: Lance Lynn (7-7, 3.59)
LP: Travis Wood (4-6, 3.56)
HR: CHC: Anthony Rizzo (20)

Lance Lynn pitched very well, allowing no runs in 7 innings of work. In the top of the 8th, we finally scored on a sac fly, and in the ninth, we scored four more times to give us plenty of insurance in the bottom of the 9th.

July 12:
Cardinals 5 @ Cubs 7
WP: Shawn Camp (2-6, 4.37)
LP: Marc Rzepcynski (0-2, 4.79)
SV: James Russell (22, 2.16)
HR: STL: Daniel Descalso (2) CHC: Kendrys Morales (5)

We held the lead for most of the game, but the Cubs scored 3 in the 7th and 8th to steal the win.

July 13:
Cardinals 2 @ Cubs 4
WP: Kyle Hendricks (1-0, 1.29)
LP: Jaime Garcia (6-11, 4.94)
SV: Andrew Carpenter (1, 2.84)
HR: STL: Carlos Beltran (9) CHC: Kendrys Morales (6)

Coming off his injury, Jaime Garcia didn't pitch especially well, and our offense couldn't back him up enough to win the game.

July 14:
Cardinals 1 @ Cubs 3
WP: Matt Garza (3.32)
LP: Adam Wainwright (12-5, 2.44)
SV: Dayan Diaz (1, 6.75)
HR: CHC: Brett Jackson 2 (4), Wellington Castillo (10)

Chicago scored all of their runs on solo homers, and our offense couldn't match that performance, as we only had one extra base hit.

Around the League:
7/11
Travis Ishikawa goes 5-5 for the Orioles, but they lose 9-8 to Texas.

7/12
Royals 1st baseman Eric Hosmer goes 5-8 in an extra inning win against the Indians.
The Yankees trade 3B Kevin Youkillis to Toronto for LF Adam Lind.

7/13
Atlanta reliever Jordan Walden is out 4 months with a torn back muscle.
Mets C John Buck is suspended 4 games after arguing with an umpire.
Braves LF Justin Upton hits 3 homers in a 6-3 victory over the Reds
Rays starter Matt Moore strikes out 15 Astros in his 12th win of the season.
The Yankees send RP David Robertson to Texas in exchange for minor league RF Jairo Beras.

AL POW: TB SS Ben Zobrist- 11-23, 5 HR, 9 RBI
NL POW: ATL LF Justin Upton- 9-24, 6 R, 11 RBI

[Grahoben]

The NL wins 3-2 and has home field advantage in the 2013 WS.

Around the League:
Pittsburgh receives LF Chris Dickerson from Baltimore for SP A.J. Burnett.
Detroit receives Eric Bedard from Houston for a minor leaguer.

[Grahoben]

July 19:
Padres 2 @ Cardinals 0
WP: Brad Brach (5-1, 2.33)
LP: Adam Wainwright (12-6, 2.36)
SV: Luke Gregorson (21, 2.77)

Wainwright pitched very well but it's very difficult to win when you can only total 5 hits. In this game, we lost Jon Jay with a sprained thumb. He will miss three weeks.

July 20:
Padres 10 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Robbie Erlin (5-4, 2.41)
LP: Shelby Miller (8-7, 2.89)
HR: SD: Yasmani Grandal (2), Chase Headley (10) STL: David Freese (9)

Miller was very ineffective, allowing six runs. Our offense once again only stroked 5 hits, as we continue our losing streak.

July 21:
Padres 11 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Cory Luebke (3-4, 4.72)
LP: Lance Lynn (7-8, 3.82)
HR: SD: Jedd Gyorko (8), Yonder Alonso (7), Chase Headley (11) STL: David Freese (10)

For the 3rd straight game, we lose, and we only have 5 hits.

Around the League:
7/21
Mariners SP "King Felix" Hernandez will miss 8-9 weeks with a sore shoulder.
Rangers SP Shawn Marcum is out 3-4 weeks with a strained hamstring.
Philadelphia receives 1B Raul Ibanez from Seattle for CF Jiwan Jones

[Grahoben]

July 23:
Phillies 5 @ Cardinals 7
WP: Randy Choate (1-1, 3.66)
LP: Jeremy Horst (3-3, 4.78)
SV: Trevor Rosenthal (14, 2.76)
HR: PHI: Carlos Ruiz (7)

A 3-run homer by Carlos Ruiz in the 7th gave Philadelphia the lead, but we were abl to come back. We had more hits in this game (16) than against the Padres in three games (15).

After the game, we make our biggest trade of the season up to this point. We trade away catching prospect Steve Bean and CF Adron Chambers to Baltimore, and we get SS J.J. Hardy and RP Pedro Strop. Hardy has struggled this year with a .214 average, but he's an improvement from Kozma and he also plays better defense and has more power. We then trade Pete Kozma to San Diego for RP Mark Melancon to improve our bullpen even more. These moves aren't huge, but I think they will help us win more games. As a result of these trades, Mitchell Boggs and Joe Kelly have been demoted to AAA. Matt Holliday also returns to the lineup after his 3rd rehab game.

July 24:
Phillies 0 @ Cardinals 2
WP: Jaime Garcia (7-11, 4.53)
LP: Johnathan Pettibone (1-2, 3.48)

The Cardinal bullpen got the night off in this one, as Jaime Garcia pitched a 4-hitter, striking out 5. Out of our 7 hits, 4 went for two bases.

July 25:
WP: Adam Wainwright (13-6, 2.39)
LP: Cliff Lee (7-6, 3.23)
HR: PHI: Ryan Howard (15) STL: David Freese (11)

Philadelphia led 2-0 after the top of the third, but that was all they would get, as our pitching shut them down. We had another nice day at the plate, rapping out 6 extra base hits, including a triple and round tripper by Freese.

Around the League:
7/23
Angels lefty Jason Vargas shuts out Minnesota, striking out 6.

7/24
Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki is day to day with a sore wrist.
Atlanta 1B Vincent Belnome hits 3 solo home runs in a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets.
Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler goes 5-7, leading his team to an 8-7 win over the Yankees.

7/25
Mets RP Frank Francisco is out 5 months with a torn rotator cuff.