| Posted
5-7-08
Looper shines as Cards outlast Rockies
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Braden Looper got all but the last two outs as the St. Louis Cardinals downed the Colorado Rockies, 6-5, in the second of a four-game set at Coors Field.
Looper (5-1) gave up four runs on 10 hits in 8 1/3 innings and added two hits, an RBI and a run scored at the plate for the Cardinals, who have won three straight and six of seven. Ryan Ludwick went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.
Chris Iannetta hit a solo home run and drove in three while Mark Redman (2-3) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work for the Rockies, who have dropped five of their last six games.
"Some positive things happened out there," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "The guys continued to battle. They did not let the game get away from us. We found a way to get back in it."
The Cardinals got on the board in the first as Albert Pujols hit a two-out double and Ludwick followed with an RBI single to center for a 1-0 lead.
In the second, St. Louis got three more runs. With Looper at second and one out, Cesar Izturis roped a single to left to score Looper. Brian Barton followed with a double that allowed Izturis to cross the plate and Adam Kennedy then belted an RBI single to left for a 4-0 lead.
In the third, the Cardinals made it a 5-0 game on an RBI single from Looper that allowed Ludwick to come home safely.
Colorado got a run in the home third as Clint Barmes led off with a double, moved to third on a Jason Grilli bunt and crossed the plate on a Willy Taveras groundout.
In the fifth, the Rockies moved within 5-2 as Iannetta led off with a blast into the left field bleachers.
St. Louis, though, got the run back in the eighth as Rick Ankiel's leadoff homer cleared the fence in right field.
Looper got the first out of the ninth, but then gave up singles to Todd Helton and Ryan Spilborghs before leaving the game.
Ryan Franklin came on the mound in relief and got Brad Hawpe to strike out, but Iannetta punched a two-run double that just barely missed going over the wall in right field and Barmes followed with a double to left to score Iannetta to make it a one-run game.
However, Franklin got Jeff Baker to fly out to center to end the game.
"It was pretty nerve-wracking," Looper said. "I was more upset about letting it get to that point. I mean, I had the game in hand, and gave up a couple base hits in the ninth, you know, and almost ended up losing it. But (Franklin) made some good pitches and got that guy out."
Game Notes
St. Louis has won four straight and six of seven against Colorado...Looper is hitting .385 on the season...Before the game, Colorado pitcher Kip Wells underwent successful surgery on blood clots in his right hand. He will be re- evaluated on Wednesday. |
