Cards' La Russa throws changeup

Extra Bases

Always thinking outside the box, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had his starting pitcher, Todd Wellemeyer, hitting eighth ahead of veteran second baseman Adam Kennedy. He has done it before, with the rationale being it gives his No. 3 hitter, the extraordinary Albert Pujols, an opportunity to drive in more runs.

Never mind that Pujols wasn't in the lineup yesterday.

"Last time I remember anything like that was when listening to the old White Sox and Gary Peters used to hit sixth," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "But I'm sure Tony La Russa has got it figured it out far better than I do."

Trembley went the more conventional route, inserting his starter, Daniel Cabrera, in the ninth spot. Perhaps that's because Cabrera is 0-for-9 in his major league career with nine strikeouts. He at least made contract in his lone plate appearance yesterday, fouling out on a sacrifice bunt attempt.