Roger Clemens is 2-0, and the Cardinals are 4-5. A comfy lead (courtesy of Cards reliever Jason Simontacchi) meant Octavio Dotel didn't have a chance to botch this one, which he almost did, giving up two home runs in a row to Edmonds and Rolen. The Astros played some good D as well, and have won three in a row.
Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan didn't do that badly, but when your bullpen consists of guys like Cal Edred and Simontacchi, you better hope your offense does better than 1 run in 7 innings.
Stat of the day: Simontacchi has given up a home run to the first batter he's faced in all three of his appearances so far this season. He was worth holding on to, Walt. The offense has potential - if guys other than Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen can do something - and Jason Isringhausen is back in the bullpen. If Mike Lincoln keeps improving, we might get something going.
On the bright side, we're ahead of the Cubs. For now.
Nice of the St. Louis faithful at Busch Stadium to give Clemens a standing ovation as he left the game. Like the team or not, they've got some of the best fans in baseball.
When my uncles and I aren't drinking in the bleachers, that is.
Oh, and Barry Bonds hit #661. Way to go, juicer.
Any true baseball fan realizes that a) Clemens has been THE pitcher of his era and is one of the all-time greats; and b) Clemens is selfish, egotistical, and a mercenary.
I do find it interesting how most fans seem to allow a to cancel out b when watching Roger, but not at all when discussing Barry. And I'm one of the guilty ones. I'd pay a lot of money to see Roger pitch in person one more time, and would stand for him for most of the game. The only way I'd stand for Barry is if he does a perp walk after he's arrested and charged with perjury in the BALCO case.
Hey, Pete... your boys need to step up this year. You know how, in fantasy baseball, you sometimes just draft guys because they're good or fill a need, and then realize afterward how loaded you are with one team? I have Pujols, Womack and Rolen - 3/4 of my infield are Cardinals.
So you get some extra karma this year, because your boys just became my NL team. (Then again, with our karma, do you really want a Red Sox fan cheering for you?)
So you get some extra karma this year, because your boys just became my NL team. (Then again, with our karma, do you really want a Red Sox fan cheering for you?)
Sweet jesus, no. Get the hell of my blog, O Snakebit One, and take your Curse with you.
I think Clemens, love him or hate him, gets more consideration for the assumption that he's not performance enhanced, if you know what I'm saying. I don't apologize, since I've been a fan of the guy since he pitched at the University of Texas back in the '80s.
Just because I'm curious: what events would have to transpire to generate a "Holy Shit! He *wasn't* juiced! I was so certain that he was, but I was wrong" ?
Marty McFly and Doc Brown going back in time to keep Bonds and his former trainer from ever meeting.
Sorry to say, but I think the Cardinals are poised for a distant 3rd, maybe a not-so-distant third if Prior remains injured and Maddux continues to pitch batting practice to opposing teams. The Cards really have 1 1/2 starters; Woody Williams doesn't look sharp at all.
As for Cris Carpenter, it's currently Astros 6-0, bottom of the 7th.
Simontacchi should go back to pitching for the Italians. Clemens is remarkable, and I remain a huge fan of his despite his piss poor efforts in Boston during his last four years there (one game over .500; the fat, lazy bastard). He shoud still go into the Hall of Fame with a $$ on his cap rather than any MLB team logo, however.