Hiroki Kuroda (3-3, 4.55 ERA) gets the honors in the rubber match against Shelby Millers (6-3, 3.16 ERA) and the Red Birds. Kuroda had his work cut out for him his last time out, allowing four runs (two earned) and eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings against the White Sox. He has had a recent case of the Hughes giving up five homers in his last three starts.
Miller allowed four runs for the second time this season and lasted just five innings against the Reds. Letting baserunners on has been a constant problem for him this season and walks and home runs continue to hurt him. “He comes in and out of really good stuff, and for the most part, does a nice job of getting himself out of it,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “I think things could have been a whole lot worse if he wouldn’t have been able to get out of some of those spots. That one slipped away.”
Mark “glass bones” Teixeira continues to rest a stiff right wrist and said on Tuesday that he’d love to be back in the lineup for the game. But Joe Girardi has other plans, stating that Friday is more of a realistic date due to an extra rest day on Thursday. “It’s tough taking days off when you feel good,” Teixeira said. “Maybe that day where it’s a little bit stiffer than it usually is, I have to be smart about it and say, ‘Hey, maybe this is my body telling me today’s the day.’ But when you’re feeling good and you’re getting hits and you’re able to take your full round of batting practice, it’s tough to take days off.”
Notes on the game
Yadier Molina strolled halfway to the mound during Jeter’s first plate appearance to give the Busch Stadium crowd time for a standing ovation.
Matt Holliday has reached base in all 23 of St. Louis’ home games this season. The franchise record is 33, set in 1954 by Solly Hemus.
First pitch at 8:15 PM on Yes
