Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009

Franklin spreads credit around

Says his successful season is due to a variety of factors

ST. LOUIS -- After requiring 33 pitches to nail down his 32nd save of the season Sunday in San Diego, Ryan Franklin woke up with soreness Monday.

But Franklin was right back on the mound Tuesday and Wednesday. He needed a scant nine pitches to nail down save No. 33 on Tuesday and secure Adam Wainwright's National League-leading 15th victory, a 1-0 decision over Houston.

Franklin got the final two outs Wednesday as the Cardinals and Joel Pineiro won 3-2. Franklin's 34 saves in 36 chances lead the National League.

"I was home Monday, back in Oklahoma, and I was sore. That was the sorest I've been all year," Franklin said. "So I got out and played catch with my son (12-year-old Logan) and I think that helped. If I would have not picked up a baseball at all, it probably would have carried over more.

"But I felt fine (Monday). I think my arm is getting adapted to throwing more than two or three days in a row. It's a good thing."

Franklin, a National League All-Star in July, has a 1.07 ERA. Opponents are hitting a microscopic .184 against Franklin, who has allowed two homers in 50 1/3 innings.

"I couldn't have done this if the starters wouldn't have got us in position for me to build it," Franklin said. "It's not, by far, all on me. Yadi (Molina) back there (at catcher) is as big a part of it as I am. I rarely shake him off and we rarely have any confrontations or mix-ups on what we're going to throw a guy. I just trust him."

Franklin, 36, has converted 12 consecutive saves since July 22, when he surrendered two runs on four hits in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss in Houston.

"I think I'm getting better," Franklin said. "I think I'm hitting my peak now -- a little later than most people, a lot of people. I think I'm getting smarter and learning how to pitch as I'm getting older and getting wiser."

Duncan back

Pitching coach Dave Duncan, who was not at the game Tuesday because of personal reasons, was back at the ballpark Wednesday.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he felt strange Tuesday without his sidekick in the dugout.

"It was not only unusual, but I'm uncomfortable without him," he said.

Bullpen coach Marty Mason assumed Duncan's responsibilities. He paid a visit to Adam Wainwright in the eighth inning, and Wainwright responded by wriggling out of a modest jam.

"Whatever he did worked," La Russa said of Mason.

Ratings record

The Cardinals' victory over Houston on Tuesday generated a 13.8 household rating in the St. Louis designated market area -- the highest rating this season for a game on Fox Sports Midwest.

Wainwright threw eight scoreless innings to pick up his National League-leading 15th win and the Cardinals extended their lead in the NL Central to nine games.

Viewership peaked between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. with a 17.6 rating.

Roster expansion

La Russa and Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak already have met to consider possible players the Cardinals will promote in September. Rosters can expand to 40 on Tuesday.

Catcher Matt Pagnozzi, the nephew of former Cardinals catcher Tom Pagnozzi, could be among the recalls from Class AAA Memphis. Other candidates for promotion are infielders Jarrett Hoffpauir, Tyler Greene and David Freese, outfielder Nick Stavinoha and pitcher T.J. Walters.

The Redbirds, however, began Wednesday in first place by 1 1/2 games in the North Division of the Pacific Coast League. The regular season ends Sept. 7, so the Cardinals likely wouldn't raid Memphis' roster until the playoffs end.

La Russa revealed little about the conversation with Mozeliak.

"We've got to protect ourselves first," he said. "We're going to use a combination of guys who we think fit in with something important to do."

La Russa said left-hander Jaime Garcia, who has recovered from Tommy John surgery, likely won't be among the recalls. Garcia is 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in seven games with Memphis, high-Class A Palm Beach and the Gulf Coast Cardinals. Garcia has eight walks and 32 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

"We're all excited about where he is right now, coming off surgery and everything," La Russa said. "If he ends the season, whenever it ends, feeling great and having a whole winter to get back to 100 percent next year, that would be a major plus for us."