Sep. 1--REMEMBER PHILLY HOUSTON -- When Kyle Lohse surveys the Cardinals' situation in the standings and sees a path to October still possible, it's partly because he's been a part of the improbable. A year ago, Lohse was on the Philadelphia team that chewed up a seven-game deficit with just 17 to play and toppled the New York Mets for the National League East title.
"Still got time," Lohse said this weekend, when the Cardinals lost three of three to Houston. "It's running out quick. Look at the team I was on last year. We were down seven with 17 (to play). You don't count on a Hail Mary like that every year, but it shows you it can be done."
Lohse said the Phillies would eye the scoreboard, once gathering in the clubhouse after a victory to watch the Mets lose, again. The Cardinals are 6 1/2 back in the wild card race with 25 to play.
"In this situation, there's a lot of variables that come into play," Lohse said. "Obviously the Mets had to lose a couple games. With something like that, like we're in, you have to have this focus and accept you have to win every game."
FLORES BACK TODAY
When rosters expand to 40 today, the Cardinals will recall Randy Flores from Class AAA to be the second lefthander in the bullpen. The rest of the Cardinals' promotions -- which are expected to include Brendan Ryan and pitching prospect Jason Motte, among others -- will probably happen Tuesday, manager Tony La Russa said.
Before being optioned late last month, Flores had been inconsistent this season. He had a 4.56 ERA and lefties were slugging .477 against him. In Memphis, Flores has gone 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 relief appearances. "Maybe he just needed to pitch more," La Russa said. "He's throwing the ball well."
PUJOLS' HIT BINGE
Albert Pujols singled in each of his first two at-bats Sunday, giving him base hits in seven consecutive at-bats, the second time in nine days he has performed the feat. Pujols wrested the lead in the batting race from Atlanta's Chipper Jones with a seven-for-12 series in Houston that sends him to Arizona with a league-best .364 average.
In the past eight games, Pujols is 17 for 29 (.586) with eight extra-base hits and 10 RBIs. He's batting .529 in his past 51 at-bats.
"Sounds like high school numbers," La Russa said. "Or slow pitch. It's certainly not that easy."
EARNING MILES Aaron Miles made only his ninth start since Aug. 3 on Sunday, playing second base. The switch-hitter has been one of the team's best in the No. 2 spot, where he's hit .364.
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