Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

Motte trying to stay positive as ERA climbs

ST. LOUIS -- Jason Motte is enduring another rough month, and it has the St. Louis Cardinals in the market for some right-handed depth in their bullpen.

Motte gave up a run Tuesday night in the Cardinals' 5-4 loss to Cincinnati, boosting his ERA to 5.75. After his first game in June, his ERA was 2.78.

Motte claims he's feeling fine --physically and emotionally.

"I go out there the same way every single time," he said. "I'm not like, 'Oh, OK, whatever.' You can't go out there and be down at all. You've got to go out there and stay up. If you go out there and you're down, you're going to end up giving it up. You've got to go out there with your head up and keep doing it."

Motte has given up nine runs in his last 10 outings, a span of 7 1/3 innings. His ERA soared after he allowed four hits and five runs July 25 at Philadelphia.

"He's capable of pitching like he has when he's pitched at his best," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "It's a tough role because he comes into a lot of key spots. I'm careful how I use Jason, but I'm not hesitant to use him."

But La Russa also said the Cardinals are looking at options.

"We've said that another quality right-hander in our bullpen would have an effect on our bullpen --just like a position player makes us deeper," he said.

The Cardinals might have interest in two pitchers who recently have become available: starter John Smoltz and reliever Justin Speier.

Smoltz, 42, who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, has cleared waivers and refused an assignment to the minors. The Red Sox are left with two options: trade or release Smoltz.

Smoltz was 2-5 in eight starts with the Red Sox. He walked nine and struck out 33 in 40 innings. He intrigues the Cardinals as a reliever.

"His name has to get your attention," La Russa said.

Speier, 35, was released Tuesday by the Los Angeles Angels. He was 4-2 with a 5.18 ERA in 41 games, with 15 walks and 39 strikeouts in 40 innings.

"I noticed he was released," La Russa said. "There again, you have to get reports from people who were seeing him."

Here are the lineups for the finale of the three-game series against Cincinnati on Wednesday night:

Cardinals

Skip Schumaker, 2B; Brendan Ryan, SS; Albert Pujols, 1B; Matt Holliday, LF; Ryan Ludwick, RF; Rick Ankiel, CF; Mark DeRosa, 3B; Yadier Molina, C; Chris Carpenter, P.

Cincinnati

Chris Dickerson, LF; Willy Taveras, CF; Joey Votto, 1B; Brandon Phillips, 2B; Wladimir Balentien, RF; Alex Gonzalez, SS; Drew Sutton, 3B; Craig Tatum, C; Homer Bailey, P.

For more on the Cardinals, see Thursday's News-Democrat or visit www.bnd.com.