Sports
Westplex Today Sports Page: July 3, 2009
By Mike Thomas
Jul 3, 2009 - 4:24:21 AM

WESTPLEX TODAY SPORTS PAGE:  JULY 3, 2009

Ryan Ludwick had two hits and two RBI as the Cardinals beat the Giants 5-2 to earn a split of their four-game series at Busch Stadium.  Skip Schumaker added two hits, an RBI and scored a run for the Redbirds, who pulled into a tie with the Brewers for first place in the NL Central.  Todd Wellemeyer struck out six over seven-and-a-third innings of two-run ball to even his record at 7-and-7.  Ryan Franklin tossed a flawless ninth to notch his 19th save.  Aaron Rowand hit a two-run homer in the eighth for San Francisco.  Barry Zito fanned seven, but allowed five runs and five hits over four-and-a-third frames to fall to 4-and-8. 

After a 3-and-4 homestand against the Twins and Giants, the Cardinals now hit the road tonight to begin a three-city road trip before the All-Star break.  The Redbirds roll into Cincinnati this evening to kick off a three-game set with the Reds at Great American Ballpark.  Joel Pineiro will oppose Homer Bailey in tonight's series opener.  St. Louis will also play the Brewers and Cubs on this road swing.  The Cardinals are currently tied with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central.  The Reds are two games back.

Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse made his first rehab start Thursday.  The right-hander pitched four-and-two-thirds innings for Double-A Springfield, allowing three hits and two runs while throwing 79 pitches.  He walked two and gave up a homer in the first inning, but settled down from there.  Lohse, who has been on the disabled list with a strained right forearm, is expected to make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Cards.  It's possible he could return July 12th to pitch in a doubleheader against the Cubs. 

Fan voting for the 80th MLB All-Star Game ended Thursday night.  Rosters for the National and American Leagues will be announced on Sunday.  Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is expected to be the starting first baseman for the Senior Circuit.  He was leading the NL in overall voting when the latest tabulations were announced earlier this week.  Meanwhile, catcher Yadier Molina is likely to be behind the plate for the July 14th game at Busch Stadium.  He was leading Braves catcher Brian McCann for the starting nod at last count. 

The Cardinals have signed outfield prospect Wagner Mateo.  The 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic represents the team's efforts to sign players from Latin America.  In a statement, general manager John Mozeliak said it shows the Cardinals' desire to sign the best players around the world.  Mateo is 6-foot-2 and represented the Dominican Republic in MLB's RBI World Series the last two years.

Saint Louis Athletica forward Eniola Aluko finished second in voting for the WPS Player of the Month for June.  The award instead went to Los Angeles Sol midfielder Camille Abily, in voting by fans, team and media.  Athletica plays at FC Gold Pride on Sunday.

The Saint Louis Billikens will play a number of big non-conference contests in men's soccer in the upcoming season.  The team announced its 18-game regular season schedule Thursday.  SLU will take on New Mexico to open the season at home September 1st.  The Lobos missed the NCAA Tournament last year after qualifying the five previous seasons.  The Billikens will also face tournament participants Tulsa and Missouri-Kansas City in the upcoming season.  Saints Louis will play its final regular-season contest at Xavier October 30th.