I worked a half-day on Wednesday and took yesterday off so I could drive down to St. Louis for two games against the Pirates. Naturally, we won both—Kip Wells ended his seven-game losing streak and Braden Looper kept runs from scoring with a weak-peripheral performance.

Unfortunately, I was a few minutes late for Looper’s start, so I didn’t get the very sharp-lookin’ t-shirt they were giving away for free. That and four hours of sleep only marginally detracted from my enjoyment of a very good game. I sat in the Casino Queen party porch, which is a shaded section in left field with a good view of the whole playing surface aside from the blind spot in left field. Fortunately, the section is equipped with a crapload of televisions carrying the live television feed. I liked it—you can watch the delivery to the plate, flick your eyes up at the last second to see where the pitch crossed the plate, and back down to see the ball’s travel or lack thereof. Also, there’s a bar behind you that serves booze past last call and after the game. I wasn’t in shape to enjoy that so much, although I’ve got tickets for a game in that section for the Atlanta series in August when I most definitely will partake.

Something that I’d missed, but a week ago, Eli Marrero made his first appearance with Memphis. He went 2-4 but allowed five stolen bases in as many attempts. (Boxscore, Marrero page) It sounds like his throwing shoulder which had landed him on the DL is in need of strengthening. With Ludwick struggling at the big league level and P-Dub’s knee still swollen, it would be very nice to see Eli get himself back into shape quickly and join the team as a third catcher/fifth outfielder.

I’ll end with this Deep Thought.

Interleague play begins for the Cardinals tonight as we reunite with the Tigers, an AL Central powerhouse that we unexpectedly disassembled in the 2006 World Series. Braden Looper, unexpected ace of the staff, takes the mound attempting to get us off to a good start in the series.

Since the game is played on an AL field, the Braden Looper will be a half-man and another player will also be a half-man, batting for him as the designated hitter. In the World Series, Scott Spiezio stood in as DH in one game and Chris Duncan batted for the pitcher in the other away game. Seeing as young Dunc’s outfield play has improved significantly this season, it’s unlikely he’ll be demoted to half-man status, especially with the off-day yesterday to rest up his crazy-divin’ bones, so the DH will probably be a bench player.

Tonight, we face Andrew Miller, a LH rookie promoted a few days ago from AA. An outfield of Duncan-Taguchi-Encarnacion wouldn’t surprise me with either Ludwick or Speizio batting for the pitcher.

Tomorrow it’s Nate Robertson, who’s been faced by four Cardinals in regular season play. Ludwick is 2-7 off him, both singles; P-Dub, on the DL, is 5-5 with 2 home runs. Spiezio hasn’t faced him.

Thompson gets the call against a nasty Justin Verlander on Sunday. Based on the way Verlander’s pitched his last few starts, you might as well let Wonderbrad bat for himself.

I’d like to see interleague play changed around so that away team rules are enforced, as other people have suggested at times (I’m not sure who originated the idea, or I’d give credit, since it’s a good one.) The idea is that under the current system, at NL games, the fans don’t get to see the *spit* DH stars on the other team—like the Mariners’ Jose Vidro. And AL fans never get a chance to see what it’s like to watch a real baseball game, without a fifth of the starters only playing like half a ballplayer. It’d be better if we played AL rules in NL parks and NL rules in AL parks.

After the game: Looks like my tongue-in-cheek teasing came back to bite me. The Tigers gave us a profound thumping last night. Painful.

Lack of frequent posting to continue for a few more days while I finish up the semester.