Yay! Cards win 9-2!

That was fun!

Wins are never boring anyway, and Thursday night’s 9-2 victory over the Astros had a long list of highlights.

Instead of saving the best for last, it’s first: Lance Lynn earned major league win No. 1 for his career — no doubt a milestone he will always remember. It wasn’t the prettiest of outings, but he only gave up one run and wriggled out of some jams early on.

“The first three innings felt like the longest innings of my life,” Lynn said. “After that I started getting into a rhythm and throwing more strikes and throwing good pitches. I stopped giving them pitches to hit.”

Another milestone: catcher Tony Cruz threw out his first base-runner. Not just any old guy trying to steal either — no, it was Michael Bourn, the major’s stolen base leader.

Yet another: Ryan Theriot hit his first Cardinals homer. No, wait, RYAN THERIOT HIT HIS FIRST CARDINALS HOMER! You can see the proof here, and pay attention to the crowd reaction — the Cards were the visitors, right? The Riot also started a new hitting streak in his first at-bat with a double. One game!

Lance Berkman continues to love hitting at Minute Maid Park, as he drove in the go-ahead run to start a five-run sixth inning and then, just for kicks, launched a bomb into the second deck right field in the top of the ninth. And apparently homers have become routine for LB — this was his 15th, after all. But notice here that Skip Schumaker couldn’t even be bothered to shake hands, high-five or even take his hands off his bat once LB crossed home! Ho hum … him again. But at least Theriot was impressed:

“Lance has had a great year and I don’t think he’s just picking on the Astros, he’s picking on everybody,” Theriot said. “He’s swung the bat well and been consistent particularly well here but he’s played a lot of games here and he’s comfortable here.”

Back to the sixth inning, after LB drove in the go-ahead run, Mark Hamilton had an RBI on an odd play. He hit the ball to Jeff Keppinger at second base, who picked it up, tagged a stopped LB and then, too late, threw home, where Albert had alertly and safely scored.

And how about Tyler Greene? He showed patience in drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth. Plus he didn’t botch any plays at second base. Tyler Perry Greene!

Daniel Descalso continued his Dirty Dan ways as well, driving in two runs as a pinch-hitter during the eventful sixth.

Then there was the interesting lineup, which Derrick Goold described this way:

Ryan Theriot took stock of the motley team assembled around him. There was a Gold Glove first baseman at third, a usual right fielder in left, a lifelong shortstop at second and rookies starting at catcher, first base and on the mound. Theriot took note and nodded. It’s just another game with the Cardinals. Somewhere along the way to first place the lineup you have to see to believe is exactly the kind of lineup the Cardinals know they can believe in.

Adding a few moments of drama to the game was The Poet. Miguel Batista relieved Lynn in the sixth inning, which was just fine. Then came the seventh, described in verse of course — free verse, so it doesn’t have to rhyme.

Poem for  The Poet — June 9
Eight pitches
Three outs
Too easy.
Excitement, drama
Yes, please.
Barely hit by a pitch?
One runner.
Hit up the middle?
Now two.
Visit to the mound. Yes, yes, yes …
Plenty of nodding.
Now the battle.
On TV Ricky says this is starting to feel like a problem inning.
Problem? Or more interesting?
Foul, foul.
Take your time between pitches
No need to rush …
The attention is yours.
Ball four.
Bases loaded
None out
Your work is done.

Trever Miller entered the game and promptly struck out Bourn. Jason Motte and his facial hair were next, and gave up a grounder that did allow one run to score. So, bases still loaded, Hunter Pence and his 20-game hitting streak up … and Motte struck him out too.

See? The Poet just wanted to keep everyone interested.

And the Fake Poet captured his outing in verse as well:

He saddles up, the sun raw on his brow; toiling long and tired, he that knows no burden but of his own making.

So did Fake Dave Freese, although he might have been drinking a bit too much Gatorade:

Roses are red. Violets are blue. The Poet can’t throw strikes. The Astros, Cubs, Reds and Pirates make me say YIKES!

The proliferation of poetry about the Cardinals, from real or fake people, is something to be proud of.

Something else to be proud of is that the Cards again have the best record in the majors — thanks, Cubs, for beating the Phillies! — as they head into a big weekend showdown with the Brewers. Want a quick look at the Brewers? Check out my overview of the NL Central as of yesterday in Around the Horn.

Tonight’s opening game in Milwaukee will be historical, as Tony La Russa will be managing his 5,000 game. (More on that later today.) Congratulations on a tremendous milestone, Tony!


Christine Coleman is the senior St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.

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