Royalties & Cardinalate

The suffering is over

Placido Polanco has 17 home runs. 17! Crazy.

The Cards, finally, get another W. It was their first four-game losing streak this season, pretty remarkable. But the real story is Ricky Ankiel. First win since 2001. He also nailed Lyle Krenzel in the head with an off-speed pitch, but recovered very nicely. He did not seem shaken, at least visibly. His line: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K 0 BB and 1 WP on 49 pitches. His crappy outing at Coors has his ERA at 5.40, but he has only been scored upon once in eight non-Coors innings (4 other appearances). He has 9 Ks and just 1 walk. I am betting on him being on the playoff roster after what he did on Friday night. Hell, just start him.

Word is that Dan Haren may start Sunday rather than Woody. I suppose Morris’ latest bad start has TLR mulling saving Woody for Game 1. It is startling how unsettled this playoff rotation is at this point.

The Yankees have won 100 games. Seems to happen every year. It doesn’t. It is the first time in franchise history that they have won 100 games in three consecutive seasons. Hard to believe, but true.

All that matters: Rolen’s back

Still, though, Tuesday’s blown call was a real disgrace. (Reggie Sanders slid safely into home in the third inning after Danny Haren’s fly ball to center but was called out.) The umpire seemed to be in proper position, in live action Sanders appeared easily safe and the throw did not significantly beat him. In a 2-1 loss, it is tough to take, though the Redbirds had other opportunities to score. The way Sanders reacted was comical. He is too nice to scream at an umpire, but he was almost on his knees pleading for him to call it correctly. So now the Astros have a real shot at the postseason. I am vehemently rooting against them. But with Scott Rolen back and looking good fielding a bunt, it was still a good night overall. Haren’s line (5 IP, 2 ER) should give him a major confidence boost for the postseason should he be there.

Though the league title has been clinched, there is a tight race for second in the fantasy baseball league Brad and I are in. I (St. Louis Sound) am currently in second place with 53.5 points while Brad’s team - Tropic of Capricorn - has 52 points. Should go down the to the season’s final day.

If Barry Bonds had zero hits in 2004, he still would have a .390 OBP.