Luvofthegame
09-06-2006, 06:05 PM
By Matthew Leach
MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Jose Vidro hit a game-ending, two-run single off Jason Isringhausen, sending the Cardinals to a 7-6 loss to the Nationals at RFK Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Isringhausen issued a leadoff walk to Felipe Lopez, and with one out he hit Nick Johnson with a pitch. A walk to Ryan Church loaded the bases for Vidro, who lined a ball past Albert Pujols' glove and into the right-field corner.
It was Isringhausen's 10th blown save of the year, most in the National League. His eight losses are tied for the second-most among all Major League relievers.
In the top half of the ninth, Preston Wilson had given the Cards a one-run lead when he crushed a two-run homer off of Washington closer Chad Cordero. Yadier Molina's solo shot in the seventh began St. Louis' comeback from a 5-3 deficit.
Isringhausen's struggles contrasted with what was otherwise a brilliant day for the Cardinals bullpen. Four other relievers combined to throw 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball in relief of Chris Carpenter, who permitted an uncharacteristic five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Carpenter let a 3-1 lead get away in the sixth when he allowed five hits, a walk and four runs before being lifted.
The Cardinals remained six games ahead of second-place Cincinnati in the National League Central Division, thanks to the Reds' 3-2 loss to San Francisco.
MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Jose Vidro hit a game-ending, two-run single off Jason Isringhausen, sending the Cardinals to a 7-6 loss to the Nationals at RFK Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Isringhausen issued a leadoff walk to Felipe Lopez, and with one out he hit Nick Johnson with a pitch. A walk to Ryan Church loaded the bases for Vidro, who lined a ball past Albert Pujols' glove and into the right-field corner.
It was Isringhausen's 10th blown save of the year, most in the National League. His eight losses are tied for the second-most among all Major League relievers.
In the top half of the ninth, Preston Wilson had given the Cards a one-run lead when he crushed a two-run homer off of Washington closer Chad Cordero. Yadier Molina's solo shot in the seventh began St. Louis' comeback from a 5-3 deficit.
Isringhausen's struggles contrasted with what was otherwise a brilliant day for the Cardinals bullpen. Four other relievers combined to throw 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball in relief of Chris Carpenter, who permitted an uncharacteristic five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Carpenter let a 3-1 lead get away in the sixth when he allowed five hits, a walk and four runs before being lifted.
The Cardinals remained six games ahead of second-place Cincinnati in the National League Central Division, thanks to the Reds' 3-2 loss to San Francisco.