--CF Rick Ankiel was released from the hospital Tuesday after his frightening run-in with the outfield wall Monday. Though he said he generally was sore all over, especially in his right shoulder, no structural damage was found, and GM John Mozeliak said the club probably would play short-handed for a couple of days rather than disable Ankiel. "I'm lucky to be walking today," Ankiel said.
--Before Tuesday, 1B Albert Pujols hadn't homered off RHP Brad Lidge in the regular season, although his playoff home run off Lidge in 2005 was the stuff of legend. Pujols hit a 447-foot solo shot off Lidge in the ninth inning Tuesady. That was his only hit of the night, and his career average of .272 against Philadelphia is his lowest against National League teams. Pujols, however, reached base for the 26th straight game. --The Cardinals lost 31 games out of the bullpen and also blew 31 saves last season. Through 25 games this year, they had blown five saves and suffered five bullpen losses, but they also had recorded nine saves, and veteran RHP Ryan Franklin was 7-for-7 in save opportunities. "It's something I know I can do," said Franklin. "It's just a matter of if they thought I was the best fit for the role."
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Number of extra-base hits (a double by SS Brendan Ryan) out of the 20 hits the Cardinals had in Atlanta, where they won two of three games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He was always the guy. These guys we're developing as closers... they weren't there yet." -- Manager Tony La Russa on his preference for veteran RHP Ryan Franklin as his closer rather emerging young RHPs Jason Motte and Chris Perez.
