Gotta Feel Bad For Braden Looper

Game # 73?? Wed. June 18, 2008 Royals? 3?? Cardinals 2 The Royals took the series, winning for the second day in a row against the Cardinals in St. Louis.? You couldn't have asked for a better effort from Braden Looper, who went 7 innings and allowed only 1 run.? And you also can't be too disappointed in the Cardinals' 11 hits (11 for 34, .324BA).? The Royals went deep twice in the 8th inning off of Kyle McClellan.? It was one of those games that you hate to lose, especially for the starting pitcher, but you have to tip your hat to Kansas City.? Here is my analysis of the game: Performance of the Game:? Braden Looper What Went Wrong: 1.? Kyle McClellan - He hadn't been in the game five minutes before giving up two home runs, two home runs that cost the Cardinals the game. What Went Right: 1.? Hits - Skip Schumaker, Aaron Miles, Chris Duncan, and Jason La Rue all had 2 hit nights. 2.? Braden Looper - As I said above, Braden had an excellent outing.? The no-decisions that I have seen this year are heartbreakers because they usually come off the bullpen after the starters have done an excellent job. The loss puts the Cardinals at 42-31, 11 games over .500, and still 3 1/2 behind our arch enemy, the Chicago Cubs.