St. Louis – On Tuesday, in a steamy red-splashed Busch Stadium, the Cardinals’ offense finally peeked out above the bags under its eyes.
St. Louis fans have been thirsting for their lineup to provide a reason to believe that the last two weeks are a forgettable aberration. Off to their worst start since 1990, snuggled in last place in the National League Central, the Cardinals provided a sliver of hope against a leaky Rockies’ bullpen.
With three hitters, Denny Bautista threatened Taylor Buchholz’s outing. In one pitch, rookie Alberto Arias spoiled it, stung by Scott Spiezio’s two-run double in the Cardinals’ 4-1 victory.
It marked the first time in 10 games the Cardinals have scored more than three runs. Their meager offense didn’t seem equipped for the task until Buchholz left. In a game to help save his rotation spot, if not ultimately his roster spot down the line, the right-hander showed why he was once considered a promising prospect with the Phillies and Astros.
He entered the game with a 10.80 ERA as a starter, which is why manager Clint Hurdle has been dropping hints like breadcrumbs that Buchholz could lose his job without improvement. Ubaldo Jimenez, after all, is pushing the envelope in Triple-A. Buchholz worked six scoreless innings and left with a 1-0 lead on Matt Holliday’s home run.
But Bautista and Arias couldn’t protect it. Bautista loaded the bases on back-to-back singles by Jim Edmonds and Yadier Molina and by hitting David Eckstein. On Arias’ first pitch, a 91-mph fastball, Spiezio lined a shot into the right-field corner shoving the Cardinals ahead for good.
Staff Writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
