The St. Louis dropped a divisional game to the Cincinnati Reds by the score of 4-3 on Monday night.  The Cardinals just couldn’t get over the hump after giving up four early runs to the Reds.  The Cardinals left 16 guys on base and Chris Duncan left five of them on base himself.

Todd Wellemeyer gave up seven hits and four earned runs over six innings as he took the loss for the Cardinals.  Wellemeyer didn’t pitch that bad, there just wan’t much offense to back up his pitching performance.

Randy Flores, Russ Springer, and Ryan Franklin pitched the final three innings of the game.  Flores gave up three hits and Franklin gave up one hit.  Good job by the three pitchers as they did not allow any runs to score.

Rick Ankiel led the Cardinals at the plate with a solo home run in the fifth inning.  Troy Glaus and Cesar Izturis both had an RBI as well.  Izturis was making his return after taking some games off with a bruised arm.

The Cardinals are now one full game behind the Chicago Cubs in the Central Division.

The St. Louis Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game, but quickly lost the game on a Miguel Tejada homerun in the bottom half of the inning.  Kyle McClellan picked up the lose after serving up the game winning homerun.

The Cardinals didn’t do anyting all game long until the top of the 9th inning when Troy Glaus singled in Aaron Miles, and then Ryan Ludwick doubled that scored Cesar Izturis and Glaus.

Todd Wellemeyer started the game for the Cardinals and didn’t pitch too bad.  He lasted seven innings and only allowed two earned runs in the no decision.  Kelvin Jimenez pitched the eight inning and allowed one earned run.  And we already know what happened to McClellan when he pitched in the ninth inning.

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The St. Louis Cardinals and Todd Wellemeyer have signed a one year contract for 2008.  The new contract will pay Wellemeyer $1 million dollars.  He was asking for $1.325 in arbitration, but settled on the $1 million spot.  Pretty good payday for him.

Wellemeyer could compete for a spot in the Cardinals roation but I think he is better suited for the bullpen.  He can come in and throw some gas for an inning and really help out the ball club more then as a starter.  That is my opinion anyways.  What do you think Cardinals fans?