Busch Stadium: 4/1/08, 4/2/08
Cardinals vs Rockies

Opening Day redux was cold and bitter experience. The Cardinals squandered 5 shutout innings by Kyle Lohse, a solo HR from Yadier Molina, and a perfect inning from St Louis native Kyle McClellan on his big league debut. They failed to beat up on 17-game loser Kip Wells, allowed the tying run to score on a Troy Glaus throwing error, and let the decisive run score on a bases loaded walk.

On Wednesday night, Rick Ankiel led the way with his glove – making a diving catch in centerfield to rob Willy Taveras of a hit in the 3rd – and then put the Cardinals ahead with a solo HR in the bottom of the 4th. The game remained tight into the bottom of the 8th, until Rico Washington delivered a pinch-hit RBI double for his first major league hit. Rockies reliever Luis Vizcaino subsequently self-destructed – issuing free passes to Izturis and Schumaker (each of whom had yet to hit safely in 2008) before surrendering a 2-RBI double to Ryan Ludwick (who was a HR shy of the cycle) and an infield hit to Pujols (who reached base on all 5 of his plate appearances) as the Cardinals cruised to an 8-3 win.

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