The Hits Keep Coming For Lohse
Singles, doubles, hard liners, pop outs, long hard hit balls that were five feet from being homers were all common place tonight in Springfield. Kyle Lohse was making a rehab start for the AA club but it looked more like he was trying to make the AA club. The crowds all gathered around the bullpen as Lohse warmed up. There were six different camera men following Lohse around the ballpark. Everyone there was there to see a St.Louis Cardinal dominate. Fans near me were all talking about how Lohse was going to put on a show. Everyone there was there to see a St.Louis Cardinal dominate. but what unfolded was the farthest thing from a show.
The game started with a double by Tyson Auer and it set the pace for the rest of the night. The Texas League batters were swinging and connecting on what seemed like every pitch. The next two batters were outs but both were making good contact. Charlton Jimerson singled driving in Auer for the first run of the night. Bad base running got Lohse out of the inning or there might have been more than one run on the scoreboard.
Lohse gave up two doubles and a single in the second leading to another two runs scoring. Even the first two outs were good contact hits that just happen to land in a glove. Lohse ended the second by getting the leadoff hitter you had already batted around called out on strikes.
A double started off the third inning followed by a single that moved the runner to third. A strikeout of Charlton Jimerson gave fans some hope that Lohse might finally have stopped the pattern everything that crossed the plate being hit. Sadly this was not the case with a run scoring sacrifice to the next batter and a ground out to last batter of the inning.
It looked as if Lohse might be pulled because he was struggling with getting men out with no solution in sight but Lohse returned to the mound for the fourth inning. The first two batters singled continuing the domination of Lohse by the AA squad. Lohse managed to get out of the inning without giving up a run after a sacrifice bunt, a fielders choice and strikeout.
The fifth started off with yet another single by the Travelers. The inning would see two more singles, a fielders choice, a ground out and finally a strikeout of Beau Brooks swinging.
The fifth would be the last inning for Lohse this night in Springfield but after this dismal outing of five innings with 12 hits, 5 runs all of which were earned runs, and 4 strikeouts points to the fact that Lohse will most likely see another start or two in the minors. Lohse did not give up a walk but that was mainly because the Travelers were getting wood on every ball over the plate.
Also on another note I noticed a Tampa Bay Scout in the crowd who had his gun on Lohse for the first two innings. It appeared that the scout was there for just a routine scouting visit staying well after Lohse left the game but this could be something to be aware of if he was indeed there to take a look at Lohse.
There was one last thing that I noticed at the game which kind of struck me as a small sign of disrespect. The act I am talking about is not wearing your socks high. Lohse was the only member of the Springfield team to not have his sock stripes visible on field. It is not a huge deal but when a team and a manger have something that they all do even if it is required by the manager I think you should respect the culture. Yes, you are a big league guy but for that one night you are a Springfield Cardinal so dress like the rest of the Springfield Cardinals.
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