Jaime Garcia got lit up Monday in San Diego. In just three innings, he allowed seven hits and issued four walks. He also threw two wild pitches. His well documented road struggles shined again. Now 1-5 with a 8.32 ERA in his past six road starts, Jaime is scheduled to pitch the next three games on the road. If manager Mike Matheny can’t adjust the rotation to pitch Garcia in the friendly confines of Busch Stadium, to steal Apollo 13’s phrase, ‘Houston, we have a problem’.

Garcia coughed up a two run lead, leaving the game trailing 4-2. To put things in contrast, the Padres are just 20-47 when opponents score first.

I’ve speculated enough on why I think Garcia struggles on the road, lets hope management takes the initiative to fix the problem.

In other news … the Cardinals offense managed just 3 runs, and stand 10-51 when scoring 3 or fewer in a game. Matt Holliday grounded into a costly inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the 7th inning.

When looking at the Cardinals lineup against the Padres, it’s a given which team would score 11 runs, right? Absolutely baffling.

CENTER DOWN AND OUT
When the Rams signed free agent center Scott Wells to a 4-year, $24 million contract, many figured he would become a staple for a dysfunctional offensive line. A starter in Green Bay since 2005, Wells had not missed a game since 2009, and only six in his  career.

Battling a knee injury most of training camp, he recovered to play the preseason finale as a tune up for the regular season.

Sunday against Detroit, Wells fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot. The Rams utilized a new rule in the NFL allowing teams to place an injured player on IR, only to have him return as active following a 6-week absence.

His injury leaves a crater for the weakest link: the offensive line. Time to scour the waiver wire for a serviceable replacement.

M-I-Z
Missouri got relatively good news on left tackle Elvis Fisher. Carted off on Saturday with a knee injury, Fisher does NOT have a torn MCL which was speculated by Gary Pinkel.

He suffered a sprain and will miss at least 4 games, but nothing compared to the rigors of knee reconstruction.

Fisher is a sixth year senior, and because of a ruptured patellar tendon last August, was eligible to return after the NCAA granted him a year of eligibility.

VROOM-VROOM PARTY STARTER

Finally, we pay respect to all those lost and affected on 9.11.2001. Really just the worst day in my lifetime.