Jul. 21--PITCHING CHANGE Although lefthanded rookie Jaime Garcia pitched creditably for five innings Sunday, especially after allowing a leadoff home run, the Cardinals are likely to make another roster change involving him before tonight's start of a showdown four-game series here with the Milwaukee Brewers.
After a harder-than-it-might-have-looked four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Sunday, manager Tony La Russa is concerned about having enough rested arms for the Brewers series. Since Garcia wouldn't be able to pitch until at least Friday in New York -- and he almost certainly will not make that start anyway -- the Cardinals will look once again to Class AAA Memphis.
The most likely pitcher to be recalled is righthander Mitchell Boggs, 3-1 in a tour with the Cardinals earlier in the season and who was scheduled to pitch this afternoon for Memphis in Oklahoma City. That start, of course, would be scrubbed if a 15-minute meeting among La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and general manager John Mozeliak in La Russa's office after Sunday's game has any relevance.
"Do you really want to go against Milwaukee and have two or three guys unavailable?" La Russa said. "We've got to think about if you can replace Jaime and bring in a fresh arm. We'll worry about Friday ... hence."
Garcia, making his first big-league start after a two-inning relief outing 10 days ago, gave up three runs in five innings.
"I thought he (had) a passing grade for his outing," La Russa said. "He needs to improve."
PUJOLS RESTS Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols got what may be his last start off this season when he sat out Sunday, although he came in as a pinch hitter to drive in a run in the seventh. Pujols also scored the winning run (he was the first man home on Aaron Miles' grand slam).
La Russa pointed out that Pujols really didn't have any All-Star break, what with all the ceremonies and obligations the players now have at the All-Star Game.
"If he'd had three days off, he'd be playing (Sunday)," La Russa said.
In fact, both Pujols and fellow All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez didn't start Sunday. La Russa employed Pujols as a pinch hitter with one out and runners at first and third in the seventh and, with the Cardinals down two runs at the time, San Diego manager Bud Black let Pujols hit. The sacrifice fly ensued.
Black ran Gonzalez up as a pinch hitter in the eighth with the Padres still up one run and runners at first and third and two out. With two out and light-hitting shortstop Luis Rodriguez up next, La Russa didn't hesitate to walk Gonzalez. Rodriguez then grounded out.
WIZARDRY Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, a 13-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner, was honored before Sunday's game on being named to the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove team. Smith received his award flanked by Rawlings vice president Mike Thompson and Mozeliak.
FrauBlucher 
