The Cards fell behind by three after a Joey Votto home run in the sixth off of Jaime Garcia. The Reds added another run in the ninth to make it 4-0.
Still, Ol’ Abner waited in the hallowed halls between clubhouse and dugout, as he does each game. When the score gets lopsided, he goes home and takes a nap.
But when it’s only a difference of three or four, he tiptoes into the dugout and scribbles on the lineup card.
It isn’t clear when he does his work. Maybe it’s a groundout to end the third, or walk in the sixth before a home run.
But he did his work:
In the ninth, St. Louis had a few hitters ready to string together hits and walks, and a runner or two to push teammates along the base paths a little faster.
But Aroldis Chapman took to the mound for Cincinnati.
So then.
Matt Holliday hit a slow ground ball to first.
Jhonny Peralta struck out.
Yadier Molina hit a ground ball to first.
And Ol’ Abner shuffled back into the halls.
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