Will Tuesday's win be a turning point in season

Last night's game was full of ups and downs to say the least, but hey, we won. Can the Cards finally find the missing link so to speak so we can move on, reclaim the division lead and get back on track with our offense and pitching? I believe tonight's game will be the key to the rest of the season.

I know everybody is probably writing the same thing about last night's game in countless blogs, articles, essays, books and even screen plays for a movie so I guess I am no different. However, if you are a Cardinal fan, I know you are, then we know that each of the last few years we always looked for the "spark" in someway to get us going. Is this the spark we seek? Obviously we won't know until we start the winning streak and win the World Series but we can always hope.

The game was not a pretty one, with both teams trying to give the win away with untimely hitting, defensive miscues and missed bunting opportunities, but sometimes a hard fought win is the what makes or breaks a team. I thought we were in bad shape when our ace Adam Wainwright was struggling so much early on but he showed why he is our ace by battling through a high pitch count, and a questionable strike zone to keep us in the game. I know I am not the only one questioning Mike Matheny on not having Seth Maness bunt in the 11th inning with the winning run on third with one out. That is the ball game right there if you let your pitcher get down a bunt or at least strike out trying. It is inexcusable to let him swing away and then hitting into a double play to end the inning. Why did Matheny have a contest this past spring training putting all the pitchers through a bunting challenge if he wont let them bunt? If we would have lost the game all fingers would be pointing at that chance with good reason.

As much as we can claim that this win was the spark we need to get going again, the Pittsburgh Pirates could say that losing may be the start of the "Pirate Plunge". They had several chances to put us away but the biggest was in the bottom of the ninth with one out and a simple fly ball that should have been the second out is dropped, allowing the tying run to reach second base and eventually score. The Pirates' division lead is down to just two games now and the pressure is mounting on them to hold it. I am sure doubts have entered the minds of fans in Pittsburgh about fading down the stretch again.

Time will tell just how strong the Cards will be after using just about everybody in uniform to finish the game. The bullpen is on fumes and now wait and see how Matt Holliday's ankle is and how Allen Craig is feeling after his collision at first base. Good news may be around the corner though as Yadier Molina is expected to come off the disabled list on Thursday. More importantly, how will the Cards respond after this win, will this light the fire and prove to be the spark needed or will they let this chance pass and miss an opportunity to take back the division lead?