Oviedo solid again but can't best Pujols, old club

ST. LOUIS -- Johan Oviedo was plenty familiar with the small mountain of light-colored dirt that stands in the middle of Busch Stadium. For parts of three seasons, Oviedo called that mound home. On Friday, Oviedo toed that rubber for the first time as the enemy.

In his return to Busch Stadium, Oviedo recorded back-to-back quality starts for the first time in his career as the Pirates fell 2-1 to the Cardinals, allowing two runs across six innings. Oviedo not only had to navigate one of the league’s toughest lineups, but the packed house that arrived to pay homage to one of the game’s greatest batsmen in Albert Pujols. But even amidst the pressure, Oviedo enjoyed the moment.

“It was exciting,” Oviedo said. “I tried not to think about emotions or feelings until the series is over. I just try to have the same mentality that I've been having in past games. Just try to keep it simple for now and just try to enjoy what I do.”

Easier in theory than in execution. The Cardinals were the only organization that Oviedo had known. He signed with St. Louis as an international free agent six years ago, then steadily rose through their system. It was with the Cardinals that he made his debut, recorded his first strikeout and picked up his first win.

At this year’s deadline, St. Louis traded Oviedo, as well as prospect Malcom Nunez, to Pittsburgh for José Quintana.

Oviedo maintains good relationships with the majority of the Cardinals’ players and coaches. On this day, however, he strictly viewed those in the opposing dugout as adversaries.

“I have really good relationships with pretty much every guy on that team and even coaches, so I try to take feelings away. Right now, I don't see them as friends and they obviously don't see me as a friend,” Oviedo said. “I just try to keep whatever feelings that I have away from me so I can keep my mind on the game and try to win the game.”

Oviedo may now don a different uniform, but his old skipper still wishes him the best.

“Any time you invest in any of these guys and they can go and get an opportunity or a better shot elsewhere, you’re rooting for them,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “That goes beyond competition; you want them to do well for themselves and their families.”

Oviedo wasn’t just contending with his personal return to Busch Stadium. The right-hander’s start happened to fall on the Cardinals’ first home game since Pujols hit his 700th career home run. The environment, needless to say, was playoff-esque.

A sellout crowd roared and rocked as a video montage rolled on Busch Stadium jumbotron before the game. Pujols fought back tears as the screen cut to him sitting in the first-base dugout. Fireworks illuminated the St. Louis sky as Pujols received a bat in honor of joining The 700 Club. No, this would not be an ordinary start for Oviedo.

The capacity crowd rose in unison, cellphones at the ready, when Pujols stepped into the box for his first plate appearance -- the first of the final few regular-season plate appearances he will take at Busch Stadium -- yet they were eerily silent before every pitch. The sea of red, white and powder blue effectively functioned as a pressure cooker, building with every passing pitch.

Oviedo bested Pujols in their first meeting, getting The Machine to hit into an inning-ending groundout with runners at the corners, generating a collective groan. In their second tango, 40,000 souls collectively experienced catharsis. Oviedo hung a slider to Pujols, and Pujols gave the people what they came to see: No. 701. Pujols sent Oviedo's offering into Big Mac Land, and the game was tied.

“I knew he was sitting on the slider just because of how he was swinging earlier,” Oviedo said. “I just couldn't execute it. He's got 700 for a reason and he didn't miss that one. Hopefully next time I can get him out.”

"I think we're seeing one of the best hitters of our generation,” manager Derek Shelton said. “He's had an unbelievable second half. You cannot make mistakes to him right now. We made the one mistake to him and he hits it out of the ballpark. What he's done over the course of his career, and especially what he's done over this second half is extremely special.”

The madness didn’t get to Oviedo. He completed the fourth without a problem, then two more innings to give the Pirates six solid frames. Not only was this Oviedo’s first time recording consecutive quality starts, but his first time pitching at least six innings.

“The last two starts he's had, he's really commanded the ball and executed pitches,” Shelton said. “I think it shows why we liked him when we acquired him."