For the first time since Game 4 of the World Series in 2006 (because I was fortunate enough to be there at Game 5), I was sitting in front of my TV logging a Cardinal game. And, when I say logging, I mean nerding out with pitch counts, locations, and all kinds of other crap I used to do a great deal of before dancing with the devil and playing grabass on the radio and Internet.

I considered last night's game important enough to really dig in and track pitch counts...and I did just that until the 7th inning.

It just so happens that the pitch count was a big factor in what went from a 3-run defecit to a 12-0 embarrassment that moved the Cardinals 4 1/2 games back of the Brewers.

Todd Wellemeyer had thrown 101 pitches through 6 innings last night...and throwing 101 pitches through 6 innings is a lot more taxing than throwing 101 pitches through 8 innings, because that means Wellemeyer was averaging more than 16 pitches per inning. However, Tony La Russa sent him back out there for the 7th inning, and 12 pitches later, the Cardinals were down 5-0.

After the game, La Russa was asked about bringing Wellemeyer back out for the 7th inning, and he got defensive, saying that Wellemeyer's pitch count wasn't high.

Honestly, I was shocked to hear him say that, because more than 100 pitches is a hell of  a lot of pitches at that point in the game.

Now, the Cardinals probably weren't going to win that game, but it was a managerial decision that didn't help the cause...and to defend it with what amounts to a surprisingly baseless argument is rather disappointing.

Nonetheless, to put last night on La Russa would be the easy way out. Wellemeyer really didn't pitch all that poorly, but he was gassed by the 7th. The issue in last night's game was not capitalizing on golden opportunities, and while Pujols missed a prime spot in the third, it was the at-bats of Rick Ankiel that have me really concerned.

He's striking out nearly 1 out of every 4 at-bats this year, and while it's his first full season as a Major League outfielder, the strikeouts are alarming. I realize he's beat up right now, which is why he's not playing center. But, if it's enough for La Russa to acknowledge he's not 100% by putting him in LF, then why have him hit right behind Pujols in a match-up which Pujols had dominated the opposing pitcher in his career (.368 avg vs. Sheets going into last night)?

That sets up tonight's Wainwright start vs. the Brewers, and I don't care what many people say: this is about as do-or-die as it gets in August.

The difference between being 3 1/2 back and 5 1/2 back on August 27th is huge, and I really don't think it's hyperbole to say the 2008 season---barring a 2007 Rockies-like run in September---hangs in the balance tonight.

Suffice it to say, I'll be nerding out again tonight charting pitches. I just hope I'll have reason to do it again in September.

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