Despite Lynn's recent struggles over the past few months following the blistering hot-start, Lance made his first start tonight against LA since his 4-1/3 innings pitched start in which he recieved a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 18th in a game he four runs (three earned) in a 5-4 Cardinals win inside Busch Stadium.
Since being demoted down to the bullpen--and going through some rough struggles; Lynn was announced the fill-in starter for the injured Jake Westbrook for Thursday night's Dodgers' opener--and after some disagreement with quite a few fans--he came through and impressed the baseball world.
Lance pitched six strong innings--and allowed just one run and five hits. Lynn struck out seven Dodgers hitters; walking just two as well. Following the 2-to-1 win, he picked up his fifteenth win on the season--making him the team-leader in the wins department--and becoming the first Cardinals' pitcher to reach 15 wins in the regular season since 2002.
Although this was just one game in which he has once again started to look dominant and sharp; it is certainly a cause for some hope around the family that is 'Cardinal Nation'. While Lynn isn't a Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez of this era; he is certainly a pitcher that if he can be on come playoff time and in the month of October, he most definently be a huge weapon from the pen--or the starting mound--especially with the likes of both Adam Wainwright and now possibly Chris Carpenter out there on the mound as well.
The performance from Lynn tonight gave the team and the city of Saint Louis a little bit of breathing room following the win as the team improved to two games above the number-one team trailing them for the National League wild card's final spot--making the Cardinals lead the Dodgers by two games now entering the second-of-four games on Friday night in which will deliever the first pitch at 9:10 pm Central Time.
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