Busch Stadium: 4/4/08
Cardinals vs Nationals
The Cardinals dynamic duo of Brian Barton and Rick Ankiel wasted no time putting the Cardinals on the board Friday night against the Nationals. Batting leadoff in his first career major league start, Barton smacked a line drive into left before gunning it to 2nd base before the relay throw could arrive. On the following pitch Ankiel blasted a no doubter down the right field line for his 2nd homerun of the young season. Braden Looper continued the streak of quality pitching from the Cardinals highly suspect rotation allowing just one run in 6 innings, although once again the bullpen kept the opposition in the game. Izzy put the go ahead run on in the 9th, before striking out Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez to save the Cardinals 5-4 win.