Lance Berkman : the Cardinals :: Scott Rolen : the Reds

Both made a bigger name for themselves with a different NLC team, both are on the wrong side of 35, and both are now on the DL with mystery injuries to joints that have been giving them problems for a long time.

Berkman went on the DL yesterday after doing nothing in particular that looked like it would even smart, let alone take him out of the game. While playing first, he received a routine throw from the short stop and suddenly found himself hopping around on his left leg. Check out the video on the Cardinals’ site.

The prognosis is not yet clear; he’s supposed to have an MRI today. He’s already had two surgeries on each knee, though, so he should be able to redeem his punch card for a free one this time around.

Game time at 8:15 p.m. tonight. I should have realized that, of course, since the Reds are visiting the central time zone, but I didn’t and was surprised not to find the game already started when I turned it on at 7:20. And to think I kicked out those nice Mormon missionaries an hour earlier than I needed to.

Cueto takes on Lohse. Go Reds!

Boxscore

The Reds avoided a series sweep at the hands of the Cardinals this afternoon by eking out a last minute win, 3-4.

Johnny Cueto took the mound for the Reds and added to his reputation of awesomeness. He allowed three runs (earned) on seven hits in seven innings. He also struck out three. Jose Arredondo, Bill Bray, and Logan Ondrusek took their scoreless turns, but it was Aroldis Chapman who really brought it all home, with his five strike-outs in two innings. Firey!

Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Chris Heisey, and Wilson Valdez had an RBI apiece. Votto, in fact, went 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

Tomorrow the Reds play a rare second day game in a row as they visit the Washington Nationals. Mat Latos takes on Gio Gonzalez at 1:05 p.m. You can catch it on Fox Sports Ohio and MLB Network.

I’m a little late starting the live blog today–I got out of work late, then traffic was bad, and that just threw off everything for the rest of the night. Plus, Zeldink was busy writing up that bit about Brandon Phillips new contract. But I’m here now, and wearing entirely different clothes than yesterday. And so far, it’s working: only one home run allowed in the first inning this time!

Damn those Cardinals

1. Jay, CF
2. Beltran, RF
3. Holiday, LF
4. Berkman, 1B
5. Freese, 3B
6. Molina, C
7. Descalso, 2B
8. Greene, SS
9. Lohse, P

And Your Cin…Cinnati Reds

1. Harris, 2B
2. Cozart, SS
3. Votto, 1B
4. Rolen, 3B
5. Bruce,RF
6. Heisey, LF
7. Stubbs, CF
8. Mesoraco, C
9. Leake, P

Just the second series of the season and we’re already hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s always a fun series to comment on, even if it’s not always a fun one to watch.

The way live blogging goes around here is that I’ll add comments to this post throughout the game. Occasionally others pipe in, and you’re welcome to as well, but I won’t let the lack of someone responding stop me from talking. I don’t let it stop me when walking down the street, and I don’t see why I should let it stop me now.

What will it be like to see the Cardinals sans LaRussa, Pujols, and Carpenter? Or is Carpenter still around, complaining about everything that crosses his path from the far end of the bench? I am confident that he’s complaining about something, somewhere. I can just feel it.

Here’s your line-ups:
Those Darn Cards

1. Furcal, SS
2. Beltran, RF
3. Holliday, LF
4. Berkman, 1B
5. Freese, 3B
6. Molina, C
7. Jay, CF
8. Descalso, 2B
9. Westbrook, P

Pitcher hitting ninth? What would LaRussa say??

and now, your Cincinnati Reds

1. Phillips, 2B
2. Cozart, SS
3. Votto, 1B
4. Rolen, 3B
5. Bruce, RF
6. Heisey, LF
7. Stubbs, CF
8. Hanigan, C
9. Bailey, P