Player of the gameHunter DobbinsSTL5.0ip 4h 0er 6k
It didn’t take long for Lars Nootbaar to make his presence felt as a member of the Cardinals' lineup on Friday night. It took the ‘Tarps Off’ section even less time to bring back the familiar “NOOOT!” chant. Nootbaar had a pair of hits including an RBI double in his return off the injured list from double heel surgery, as the Cardinals rallied for a 10-3 win over the Reds. “I had some goosebumps walking out to the outfield and butterflies, you know, before the first inning and first at-bat,” Nootbaar said. “For me it felt like Opening Day, for the rest of the guys it feels like game 61 or whatever it is, so that calmed my nerves down a little bit, because it wasn't a bunch of angst or anything in the clubhouse.” Nootbaar completed his 20-day Minor League rehab on Wednesday -- in essence his Spring Training -- and slid right back into the leadoff role as JJ Wetherholt sat for the second straight game with a sore groin. He wasted no time sparking the offense, legging out an infield single and advancing to second on a throwing error in the first and he doubled and scored to ignite a six-run sixth inning as the Cardinals broke it open by sending 12 batters to the plate.
