Carpenter Makes Start For Memphis

Ok guys, let's play jeopardy.? The answer is 11.? What is the question? No, it isn't Anthony Reyes' pitch count after one batter.? And it isn't the number of World Series Championships we SHOULD have if the 1985 "incidient" had been called correctly.? It is the number of pitches that Chris Carpenter used to strike out the side in the first inning Friday night here in Memphis. Carpenter last made an appearance for St. Louis on Opening Night in April of 2007.? I was at that game and little did I know it would be the last game Carpenter would pitch for 15 months and counting.?? Carpenter has been the "stud" of the pitching staff over the past several years and in my opinion, he is the best pitcher to pitch for the Cardinals since Bob Gibson.? So you can understand how important a successful return for Chris to the rotation is for the St. Louis Cardinals.? We have made do in his absence, with names like Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse assuming the role of ace.? But neither is Carpenter. Friday night, the press box was packed with guys covering Chris.? I am actually sitting next to Jim Hayes of FSN as I write this article.? The evening started with Lydia Hart, wife of former Cardinal second baseman Bo Hart, singing an amazing rendition of the National Anthem.? Then Chris, donning number 32 for the Memphis Redbirds, began his first AAA rehab start.? He went right after the hitters in the first, mowing them down faster than I could take pictures of it.? In the second inning, he loaded the bases and allowed a run, and allowed another in the third.? But overall it was a very successful start.? He has been pitching pain free, which was the biggest concern for the Cardinals.? His fastball topped out in the mid 90's and had incredible movement.? And his curve, well, let's just say it was nastier than Rosie O'Donnell.? He mixed his pitches well, and tossed 5 plus innings and 78 pitches.? In my opinion, he could be ready to join the Cardinals as early as next week in Atlanta. In my next post, I am going to address our bullpen issues.? We have blown more saves than anyone in the Majors, and would be the best team in baseball if we had just won half of those games.