Call to the pen
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Wacha returns, Cardinals extend division lead over Brewers

By Jennifer Rainwater

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It was Michael Wacha‘s big return from the disabled list Thursday. He’d been sidelined since June 17 with a stress reaction in his shoulder. The injury was likely why he was removed from the game after only three innings and 50 pitches. He’d allowed just three hits one run.

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Wacha handed over a 3-1 lead to a series of six relief pitchers who allowed just one other run in the game as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated their division rival Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 3-2. Wacha never even had a minor league rehab start before being chosen to take the place of Justin Masterson in the rotation.

The Cardinals wouldn’t want to jeopardize having Wacha, who was a star in last year’s postseason receiving MVP honors in the National League Championship Series as a rookie, in the postseason again this year.

Masterson, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Indians, just hasn’t worked out in St. Louis. He put up a 7.60 ERA in just six starts for the Cardinals.

However, there was another big story to Thursday’s game as the Caridnals began a huge four game series in Milwaukee. With the win the Cardinals widened their lead over the Brewers in the N.L. Central to four games. A week ago they only held the lead by a game and a half.

The Cardinals needed to start Wacha in this series with the Brewers, even though the Brewers have been in a major slide of late. When talking about Wacha’s performance manager Mike Matheney praised Wacha, especially his still developing curveball.

"“I thought he was good. His changeup is so valuable to him. I thought he was really strong with it early. I thought his last inning was his best with it. It had a lot more depth. But his curveball was good. His curveball has improved so much this season, and it’s a pitch that he goes to in deep counts and behind in counts. I thought velocity looked good. The downhill plan, it’s awfully fun to watch.”"

Wacha reaction was like that of any pitcher eager to get back in the game but still being limited in his role,

"“I feel bad coming out after the third inning and leaving it all for the bullpen, but I was really happy with getting back out on the field and hopefully get some more innings the next time out,” Wacha said. “[Command] is still definitely a work in progress, but I was pretty happy with where it was today.”"

All in all I’m sure the bullpen didn’t mind pulling a little extra weight being that they were handed a lead and were stellar in keeping it. The combined six relievers allowed just one run and six hits in six innings.  Marco Gonzales got the win and Trevor Rosenthal the save as the Cardinals continued to exert their dominance over their N.L. Central foes.

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