Kyle Lohse

NOTE: Today we are participating in the United Cardinal Bloggers progressive game blog, an annual project for the UCB where a number of different Cardinals sites cover an inning of the game. To catch up on the action thus far, here’s the pre-game post from the UCB site and the first inning action from I-70 Baseball.

The decision of how to cover this game in a unique manner befitting Aaron Miles’ Fastball was a simple one, despite the fact it’s far too early for The Poet Miguel Batista — for whom we honor his every appearance with a poem — to be in the game. Still, as a tribute, here is the second inning in verse.

The stadium’s seats are filled with red and the sky is a bright blue,
As the man who calls himself K-Lo knows what he has to do.
His first inning only 15 pitches, a relative breeze.
Back to the mound in his white uniform with the long red sleeves.
He’s ready for battle, to take on the Brewers anew.

Casey McGehee steps in first, a rather big boy.
That bat in his hand almost looks like a toy.
He launches a pitch deep to the corner in right.
Our pal LB scrambles to retrieve it, the sun shining so bright.
McGehee pulls into second base, trying to hide a look of joy.

Next up is Mark Kotsay. He’s a Brewer now? For real?
Is there a team besides the Cards out there that hasn’t signed him to a deal?
He’s quickly out as he hits a fly to Colby in center.
Which makes Jonathan Lucroy the next to enter.
Five pitches, again Colby catches, Casey at second not a threat to steal.

Carlos Gomez is next, the one who robbed Colby of a hit in the first.
A play like that is certainly not made by a fielder who’s the worst.
Gomez shows patience with the pitches that Lohse has to throw.
After waiting and fouling a few off, down to first he does go.
A walk so two on, though two out — could the Brewers scoring troubles be ready to burst?

Next is pitcher Yovani Gallardo, though the Brewers announcer calls him Yo.
He’s hit a homer already this season, so around the bases he knows how to go.
He grounds it to Tyler Greene, playing in today’s game at shortstop.
What seems like it should end the inning doesn’t, even though there was no drop.
Tyler didn’t hurry enough, Gomez slid hard, bases loaded. Oh no!

Rickie Weeks to the plate, his braids shine in the sun.
A chance for the losing-streak Brewers to at last have some fun.
Lohse is on pitch No. 25 of the inning as he continues to attack.
Weeks battles as well, but is not able to fight back.
He swings and misses, the Brewers left still looking for a run.

To the Cards half of the second, with the major’s top hitter to the plate.
Matt Holliday faces Yo, with an ERA above 6, a hit seems like fate.
Except not this time — Matt’s quickly out on a grounder.
I dropped Yo from fantasy team because all he did was flounder.
So today he needs to pitch again like he did at an earlier date.

Up comes Lance Berkman, to which the LB Fan Club rejoices.
We know he’ll get on base –  and he provides so many choices.
Yet not this time, as he’s quickly called out on strikes.
In strides Yadi, another Cardinal with an almost equal number of likes.
He then grounds back to Yo to end the inning, the crowd not able to use their voices.


So the game remains scoreless at the end of two. For a look at the third inning, head on over to The Redbird Menace.




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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