Wacha Wacha!!

I had the awesome opportunity last night to witness Michael Wacha make his major league debut. Although the rain dampened the drive up there, the field and the fans (ok it soaked the field and the fans) the debut wasn't to be stopped. The hype of "Wacha-mania" wasn't too much for this young and very talented pitcher either.

From early on this young phenom has been watched and admired by the fans and the front office. In spring training his impressive numbers and work ethic got the attention of everyone involved with the Cardinal organization. Yadier Molina was even quoted after one of his outings saying "I think that guy, right now, could pitch in the big leagues." That is a great confidence booster and a credit to you as a pitcher to hear Yadi say that. The next big question prior to last night was "when will Michael Wacha make his Cardinal debut?". Something that is even sweeter about this story; we were able to draft him in the first round because we got a compensation pick from Anaheim in exchange for them signing Albert Pujols. I like it already, how about you?

Back to last night, Wacha started out as good as advertised striking out the first batter he faced in the Majors. He cruised through the first four innings needing only 58 pitches for the first 13 outs. In total, Wacha pitched seven innings allowing just two hits and one run while striking out six. He even had his first base hit in his debut to make his night better.

He looked in control on the mound and kept his cool when giving up his first hit and then followed by his first run. He has good stuff with a mid 90's fastball and a really good change up. He was our next young pitcher in line to have a night to remember and join previous rookies to get his first win... then Mitchell Boggs entered the game in the ninth to give up the game-tying home run.

How many times do we as fans have to endure the pain of watching Boggs enter a game before the Cardinals realize he isn't the same pitcher for whatever reason as he was last year when he held down the setup role for Jason Motte? Unfortunately this game is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset and it is tough for quality pitchers to get chances to correct problems. But not with this club. For whatever reason Boggs continues to be placed in situations where he can ruin a night. He is not the only one to blame in this scenario because he has to be told to go into the game and now enter Mike Matheny. I am a huge Matheny fan and have been since he was our starting catcher years ago, but why is he the only one still holding out hope that Boggs will get better? I understand that our closer Edward Mujica was unavailable due to throwing so many games in a row and the same with Trevor Rosenthal who had either pitched or warmed up so many games in a row. I would like to know with the success that another one of our rookies is having, Seth Maness entered in the 8th inning having only to face one batter to get the out, why not let him pitch the 9th?

It seems a shame that Michael Wacha pitched well enough to deserve the win and it was ruined again by Mitchell Boggs. Yes Victor Marte couldn't get anyone out either but the damage was done when the home run to tie the game landed in the stands. I just wonder if there should be an unwritten rule that makes Boggs carry the bags and buy meals of all the pitchers he has blown games for. He may need a pay raise as bad as he has been, if I was in charge he would not only be carrying his bag out of town he would be wearing a different team uniform. Like trading announcers for a voice to be named later in the last blog, I would trade Boggs for a parking pass or something of equal or lesser value.