--Third-base coach Jose Oquendo was limping after being hit below the left knee by a foul off the bat of 1B Albert Pujols on Saturday. "It's the first time in 12 years," said Oquendo. "I didn't have anywhere to go."
--It was a rare three-game series for 1B Albert Pujols. Pitched around by the Chicago Cubs, who walked him four times and hit him once, Pujols went 1-for-9, sometimes seemingly coming out of his comfort zone in order to get something to hit. --3B David Freese, who has started only four games so far, might be on his way soon to Class AAA Memphis so that he can play every day. INFs Brian Barden and Joe Thurston, besides Freese, have been manning third base in the absence of injured Troy Glaus, and manager Tony La Russa said, "Right now, I'm running Barden out there." Barden had three homers on the recent six-game trip.
--After Sunday's rainout and Monday's scheduled off day, the Cardinals are slated to play the maximum of 20 straight days before an off day on May 11 between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
BY THE NUMBERS: 98 -- Pitches over four innings that rookie RHP P.J. Walters threw in his major league debut.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He has good guts. And that counts for a lot." -- Manager Tony La Russa, on INF Brian Barden, who wedged his way into the lineup by playing strong defense and hitting three home runs in a span of five games.
