WASHINGTON -- On certain nights there is no such thing as a good postgame question for manager Tony La Russa.
Those nights typically arrive after his team has pitched poorly, taken weak at-bats or exhibited poor fundamental play. This time it was the pitching that got to him.
A collaborative meltdown shared by starter Kyle Lohse and reliever Mike MacDougal led to a 14-5 loss against the lowly Washington Nationals Saturday night at Nationals Park. Lohse lasted five innings, allowing eight runs and nine of his 11 hits with two outs. MacDougal, signed as an in-season minor-league free agent, absorbed a six-run eighth inning extended by his own throwing error to first base.
The news could have been worse. The Cincinnati Reds suffered a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs, freezing the second-place Cardinals' deficit at four games with 35 to play.
The Cardinals led 3-0 before the Nats scored once in the second inning and four more times in the third against Lohse. After the Redbirds rallied to force a 5-5 fifth-inning tie, Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn crashed his 32nd home run (but his first since Aug. 11) to put the Nats ahead to stay.
After keeping the clubhouse closed to media for a protracted period, La Russa, already in street clothes, chose to shed little light on what he had witnessed.
"He had trouble getting the last out," La Russa summarized regarding Lohse's start.
Lohse has now allowed 17 earned runs and 23 hits inn 13 1/3 innings in three starts since returning from a nearly three-month stay on the disabled list. With Jeff Suppan scheduled to rejoin the rotation Wednesday, Lohse's standing would appear at issue. La Russa declined to address the issue, "If you want to talk about today's game I'll talk about today's game. I never talk perspective. I make too many mistakes. I don't know why you ask."
Lohse accepted the question after blaming himself for a number of "stupid" pitches.
"I want to get back out there and try to help the team but it's up to them what we're going to do moving forward," said Lohse. "I know we have an off day between now and my next one. I can read the writing."
La Russa also abstained from explaining how Lohse became especially vulnerable with runners on base. The Nationals, who finsihed 8-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They were also 8-for-11 when Lohse worked from the stretch.
"He had problem getting the out with two outs. We don't give scouting reports," La Russa said.
The Nationals may not need them. They've reached the Cardinals for 27 runs in three games after entering the series on a four-game losing streak while still in search of their first back-to-back wins this month.
The Nats' breakout was their largest since relocating from Montreal in 2005. Dunn snapped a slump that had him hitting .123 in his previous 19 games. Right fielder Michael Morse managed his first four-hit game and has four extra-base hits in eight at-bats the last two games.
The Cardinals managed nine hits. Right fielder Skip Schumaker managed two hits in his first three at-bats before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. The Cardinals pushed only one runner into scoring position after the fifth inning against starter Livan Hernandez (9-9) and two relievers.
Lohse Evicted Early
After throwing plenty of strikes, but too many to the Washington Nationals' liking, Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse left after only five innings of an 8-5 game.
The Nationals reached Lohse for a three-run third inning and a three-run fifth after the Cardinals took a 3-0 first-inning lead. Lohse mixed 57 strikes among his 79 strikes but 11 were stroked for hits. The most hurtful came on Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn's three-run home run into the first row of the right-center field bleachers with two outs in the fifth inning.
Manager Tony La Russa briefly argued that fan interference may have pulled the ball into the stands but crew chief Joe West insisted the ball had cleared.
The Cardinals rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the top of the fifth on RBI doubles by Lohse and second baseman Felipe Lopez. However, Lohse could not make a stand in his third start since returning from a 12-week stay on the disabled list.
The Chicago Cubs currently lead the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2.
Jay Walking
Rookie center fielder Jon Jay piled on Nationals starting pitcher Livan Hernandez when he ripped a two-out, two-run shot into the Nationals Park upper deck for a quickie 3-0 lead.
Jay's fourth home run came one out after first baseman Albert Pujols gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead with a one-out ground-rule double that bounced off the left-field foul line. The Cardinals have scored 17 runs in the series' first 23 innings.
Kyle Lohse worked an uneventful first inning his his third start since returning from a nearly three-month stay on the disabled list.
Tonight may represent Jay's final start in center field for awhile as Colby Rasmus went through a extended round of running tests before the game to test his balky right calf. Rasmus is expected to make his first start Sunday since Aug. 15 barring negative feedback from today's workout.
Pujols Speaks Out on Participation in Beck Rally
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols spoke proudly, even defiantly of his appearance Saturday morning at a rally that drew fire for its connection to conservative talk show host Glenn Beck and the presence of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
The event, attended by more than 300,000 on The Mall, featured a stronger religious message than overtly political tone, something that Pujols had investigated Friday before going through with his and manager Tony La Russa's appearance.
Pujols, who spoke of his faith during a speech lasting about three minutes, was presented a Hope Award by organizers for the charitable work done by the Pujols Family Foundation he co-founded with his wife, Deidre.
"If people have a problem with that, they need to look at themselves in the mirror and say, 'You know what, I'm the one who has the problem, not them,'" Pujols said before Saturday night's game against the Washington Nationals. "Like I said, it is what it is. I can't control what people say. If I'm going to take some heat for the things I believe and the things I represent, I'll take the heat."
Pujols earlier in the week admitted to misgivings about the gathering's potential for becoming a policial rally. The family contacted Beck Friday for reassurances about the day's emphasis.
The event went as advertised, according to Pujols.
"I wasn't out there trying to be involved politically," Pujols said. "I was out there because somebody wanted to honor for the things I've done through my foundation... If I'm going to catch some heat about it, then those people need to look at themselves in the mirror."
Critics cited ties connecting Beck and Palin to the conservative Tea Party movement and a counter-demonstration was staged by civil rights activists a short distance away. Pujols, however, had no conflict with the event's purpose. While some noted the first baseman's stance on immigration issues as in conflict with the Tea Party, Pujols embraced the day's more apparent religious theme and the stage it offered.
"I don't care what people think because I believe that I'm doing my job, and that's serving Jesus Christ," Pujols said. "And I think that day was about Him and it wasn't about political things. If people want to look at it like that, you know what, I could care less.
"I care about what the day was and it was about serving God. I shared with them what Jesus Christ has done in my life. If people have a problem with that, then shame on them because I'm not going to hide the things God has done in my life."
A number of season-ticket holders contacted the Cardinals with concerns about Pujols and La Russa attending. Likewise, La Russa said his California-based Animal Rescue Foundation also took calls and e-mails from donors unsure about the propriety of his involvment. After news of La Russa's role was published Friday, general manager John Mozeliak spoke to his manager about the event.
Pujols appear unmoved by anyone who took umbrage at his attendance.
"They can say and do whatever they want. It's a free country. I don't play for people. I don't live for people. I live to represent Jesus Christ," Pujols said.
Rotation Adjusted
The Cardinals will activate Jeff Suppan from the disabled list Sept. 1 to start the series finale against the Houston Astros. The move allows rookie lefthander Jaime Garcia to start the Sept. 3 series opener against the Cincinnati Reds followed by Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
La Russa formalized the move on Saturday after watching Garcia throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals. He could have chosen to keep Garcia on regular rest, have Carpenter and Wainwright work the first two games, then employ Jake Westbrook in the third game. Garcia, Carpenter and Wainwright started during the Cardinals' three-game sweep of the Reds in Cincinnati Aug. 9-11.
Suppan has not pitched since July 31. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 1 after suffering an apparent groin strain while stretching during an Aug. 8 rain delay against the Florida Marlins. Suppan's return coincides with rosters expanding.
Motte to Join Team Monday
Reliever Jason Motte passed a significant test by throwing two scoreless innings Friday on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis and is expected to rejoin the team Monday in time for its three-game series against the Houston Astros. Motte has missed 19 games since going on the disabled list with a shoulder sprain.
The Cardinals could have used Motte's for Saturday's game as closer Ryan Franklin awoke with significant neck stiffness.
Franklin insisted is condition had more to do with an awkward sleeping position than appearing in consecutive games against the Nationals. Franklin lost a two-run lead in Thursday's ninth inning before struggling to close out Friday's 4-2 win.
Here Comes Rasmus
Cardinals center fielder Colby Rasmus tested his sore right calf before Saturday's game and, barring complications, is expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday.
Rasmus has avoided the disabled list but has also missed 11 consecutive starts due to the condition.
Saturday's test included rounding bases, something he has not done since being pulled from an Aug. 15 game against the Chicago Cubs.
Schumaker to Right Field
After hinting Friday that Skip Schumaker could find time in the outfield, Cardinals manager Tony followed through today by starting Schumaker in right field against the Washington Nationals.
The start is Schumaker's second in the outfield this season and comes on the same day that Colby Rasmus takes what the club hopes is a final test before returning to the starting lineup. Rasmus will miss a 12th consecutive start Saturday due to a right calf strain.
Schumaker also will bat leadoff after La Russa gave Allen Craig a cameo in the role Friday.
Bryan Anderson makes a second consecutive start behind the plate as Yadier Molina continues to recover from right knee inflammation that resulted from Thursday's awkward step running out a 11th-inning ground ball.
Schumaker, who converted to second base during spring training 2009, has made only four outfield starts since.
The Nationals will send Livan Hernandez against the Redbirds. Nats' manager Jim Riggleman has outdone La Russa with his lineup juggling. Center fielder Nyjer Morgan will bat eighth while Thursday night hero Roger Bernadina ascends to the third spot in the order.
The Rest:
CARDINALS
RF Skip Schumaker
2B Felipe Lopez
1B Albert Pujols
LF Matt Holliday
CF Jon Jay
3B Pedro Feliz
C Bryan Anderson
SS Brendan Ryan
P Kyle Lohse
NATIONALS
2B Adam Kennedy
SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam Dunn
RF Michael Morse
C Pudge Rodriguez
CF Nyjer Morgan
P Livan Hernandez
