--RHP Jason Isringhausen said it was good to "clear his head" after a 1-2-3 ninth inning netted his ninth save. Isringhausen had given up 10 hits and eight runs in five innings over his previous six outings, blowing two saves and suffering two losses.
"I try to tell myself, 'I've been doing this for 15, 16 years. I've gone through funks before,'" Isringhausen said. "But every time you go through a funk for a week and a half or two weeks, it always creeps into your head, 'Do I have enough left to get people out?'" -- LHP Mark Mulder was hit hard Wednesday in a rehab start for Class AAA Memphis. Mulder allowed nine runs (seven earned) in 3 2/3 innings against the Angels' Salt Lake affiliate. In his previous three rehab starts, one for Class A Palm Beach and two for Class AA Springfield, Mulder had been 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has been saying all along that he wasn't eager to rush Mulder through this process as the latter continues his recovery from a second shoulder surgery last year. "When he comes back, there's going to be a lot of attention, a lot of responsibility, a lot of pressure," La Russa said. "Let him come back when it's fair."
--Rookie OF Brian Barton got his fifth pinch hit in 13 at-bats when he started a two-run rally in the seventh with a single.
--LHP Ron Villone probably knew he was going to face Cincinnati slugger Adam Dunn late in Wednesday's contest. Dunn was just 1-for-16 against Villone, who got Dunn on a soft liner to 1B Albert Pujols this time.
--After having to wait until the eighth inning for a walk that kept the streak alive Tuesday, 1B Albert Pujols singled in the third Wednesday to extend his streak of reaching base to 29 games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 250 -- Career doubles for 3B Troy Glaus after he got his 10th of the season on April 23.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Rick is making good contact. He just can't get a hit." -- Manager Tony La Russa, talking about OF Rick Ankiel, whose average dipped into the .240s.
