News
Boggs to start for ailing Wellemeyer
St. Louis (63-51) vs. Cincinnati (48-63), 7:15 p.m. CT
Mitchell Boggs' lone victory this season came on April 25 vs. the Cubs. (Tom Gannam/AP)
By B.J. Rains / MLB.com
08/11/09 12:15 AM ET
ST. LOUIS -- After experiencing what he did during his last start for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, the Cardinals' Mitchell Boggs should have no problems on Tuesday when he is expected to be recalled to start against the Reds at Busch Stadium. Boggs, who is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in six appearances with the big league club this year, gave up seven runs on 10 hits over five innings in Salt Lake City in poor pitching conditions. "The wind was blowing like 40 mph," Boggs said. "I mean that's not an excuse, I pitched bad. I think it was a 10-9 game, so both sides were putting runs up. I have to be better than I was. "It wasn't good. But I've struggled before, it's nothing new. If you're in this game long enough, you're going to struggle plenty." The start for Memphis was Boggs' first since going five innings for the Cardinals on July 31, when he gave up six hits and two earned runs against the Houston Astros. Boggs walked five, but struck out five in a 4-3 Cardinals win. Boggs took the place of Todd Wellemeyer in that start after Wellemeyer was demoted to the bullpen. The Cardinals had planned to give Wellemeyer the start on Tuesday after two appearances out of the bullpen, but the righty reported soreness following a Saturday bullpen session and will likely be placed on the disabled list to clear a roster spot for Boggs. The rookie was summoned after Memphis' 7-6 win in Colorado Springs on Sunday and told to be in St. Louis on Monday. When he talked with reporters shortly after arriving, he wasn't aware that he would be making the start on Tuesday night. "I haven't really been told anything except get here today and be ready to pitch," Boggs said. "I'm ready to pitch whenever I am needed. "I got called up last year out of nowhere, so you learn in this game to show up every day prepared and see what happens."St. Louis will next need a fifth starter on Aug. 18 in Los Angeles. After admitting before Boggs' last big league start that it was likely a short stay, manager Tony La Russa was less forthcoming this time around when asked about Boggs' future.
"Mitchell gets the ball tomorrow," La Russa said. "We'll go from there." Pitching matchupSTL: RHP Mitchell Boggs (1-0, 3.29 ERA)
Boggs is expected to make the start in Wellemeyer's place, while it appears likely that Wellemeyer could go to the disabled list. Boggs started against the Astros on July 31 and gave up six hits and two runs in five innings before being sent back down to Triple-A Memphis after the game. CIN: RHP Justin Lehr (1-0, 1.93 ERA)
Lehr pitched the first shutout of his career Wednesday against the Cubs in a 4-0 win. The 32-year-old right-hander gave up four hits and walked one batter while recording four strikeouts in his second career start. The win was Lehr's first since 2006, when he was a reliever for the Brewers. He snapped the Reds' eight-game losing streak and looks to continue his success against the Cardinals. Tidbits
Albert Pujols became the fifth Cardinal to be the first MLB player to reach 100 RBIs in a season in Pittsburgh over the weekend. He joins Jim Bottomley (1929), Stan Musial (1954), Ken Boyer (same day as Harmon Killebrew in 1964) and Orlando Cepeda (1967) in accomplishing the feat. Pujols also extended his career-opening streak of 100 RBIs to nine seasons. He trails Hall of Famer Al Simmons, who did so in his first 11 seasons from 1924-34. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Cardinals (Chris Carpenter, 11-3, 2.26) vs. Reds (Homer Bailey, 2-3, 7.11), 7:15 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 13-7, 2.73) vs. Padres (Mat Latos, 4-1, 2.43), 7:15 p.m. CT
B.J. Rains is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
