CINCINNATI — Being out of the starting lineup only delayed when Lars Nootbaar would begin getting his swing ready for the inevitable likelihood his manager would like to deploy it.
With Cincinnati starting a lefty Monday night at Great American Ball Park but also sporting a single lefty reliever in the bullpen, the Cardinals had their lineup geared for some machinations, midgame or late-game, any chance they had to change the game. Nootbaar prepared to face any of the relievers, and when the first of them entered, right-hander Buck Farmer, he was there to greet him with a game-tying double.