Brian Matusz didn't have his best stuff today, but he turned in a quality start. Another encouraging sign from him. "Today was one of those days where I never really got in a good groove, and you're going to have those days," he said. "You have games where you feel great, and games where you have to grind and battle through it. I was having a tough time getting on top of my pitches. I feel like I didn't have a very good downward plane on my fastball. And all the other pitches work off...

Will Ohman faced one batter and struck him out. That's 6 1/3 scoreless innings for Ohman this spring, with two hits allowed, two walks and 10 strikeouts. Think he'll make the team? Jim Johnson retired both batters he faced after replacing Ohman. Mike Gonzalez allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth. He threw 23 pitches, 11 for strikes. Gonzalez walked the leadoff hitter, Colby Rasmus, and David Freese's two-out double increased St. Louis' lead to 4-2. Gonzalez should have gotten a...

Will Ohman is warming in the bullpen, so Brian Matusz appears to be done after six innings. Matusz allowed three runs and nine hits. That's two more hits than his spring total before today. He also walked a batter and struck out one. I'll update this entry with his official pitch count. My unofficial total is 83, but I don't trust me right now. Update: It's safe to trust me. Matusz threw 83 pitches, 53 for strikes. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday were a combined 0-for-5 with a...

Did I mention that Brian Matusz's grandparents are here today? Matusz has raised the bar so high this spring, today's effort looks like a real struggle. The Cardinals strung together back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth, executed a double steal and tied the game on David Freese's double to right. Matusz has allowed two runs and six hits through the fourth. He's thrown around 60 pitches. I've lost track, but I'll get the official count later. Brandon Snyder is having a nice...

I asked Chris Tillman about his back again this morning. "Real good," he said. And that's your Chris Tillman back update for the day - until he starts for the Orange Team in today's intrasquad game that begins at 1:05 p.m. Tillman will oppose Jake Arrieta, but not for long. They're both scheduled to pitch one inning. We'll also get a look at Alfredo Simon, who hasn't pitched since undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on May 5. His velocity has been...

It was only a matter of time. ORANGE TEAM Felix Pie LF Cesar Izturis SS Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Lou Montanez RF Justin Turner 2B Jeff Salazar CF Luis Bernardo DH BLACK TEAM Robert Andino 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Luke Scott 1B Ty Wigginton 3B Nolan Reimold LF Chad Moeller C Blake Davis SS Caleb Joseph DH Rhyne Hughes will replace Pie and play left field in the fourth inning. Also in the fourth, Pedro Florimon will replace Izturis, Scott Moore will replace...

Brad Bergesen threw 35 pitches in the bullpen today, emptying his bag of tricks, and will increase that total to 45-50 before possibly facing live hitters on Friday. The dead ones always get the "take" sign. Bergesen said his tempo improved over his first mound session on Saturday. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn told Bergesen that his arm angle looked "normal." "Today was my first day throwing breaking stuff," Bergesen said. "Obviously, the first couple...

Chris Tillman struck out the first batter he faced, Robert Andino, on four pitches to begin today's intrasquad game. Now this is baseball. Tillman ran the count full to Nick Markakis, who fouled off one pitch and almost nailed Luke Scott on the on-deck circle. Markakis doubled to the fence in left field for the Black Team's first hit, but Adam Jones bounced to short and Scott flied to center. Jeff Salazar made a sliding catch in left-center to rob Scott. Tillman threw 15 pitches, 11 for...

Jake Arrieta threw 11 pitches, six for strikes, while stranding a runner on second base. Felix Pie flied to left, but Cesar Izturis lined a double to right-center field. Miguel Tejada bounced to the mound after coming within a few feet of ripping an extra-base hit down the left-field line. Matt Wieters bounced to short.

It's only an intrasquad game, but Mike Hinckley labored in the second inning while the Black Team took a 2-0 lead. Ty Wigginton drew a leadoff walk and scored with two outs on a Blake Davis single to left field. Davis stole second and raced home on Caleb Joseph's single to left. Davis fisted the ball and looped a hit to the opposite field. Joseph ripped a line drive that left a vapor trail. Jim Johnson struck out Garrett Atkins on three pitches to start the bottom of the second inning....