ST. LOUIS — From his vantage point behind the plate, Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner spied pitching coach Dusty Blake‘s brand-new Nikes peek out over the top step of the dugout. Designed by Blake’s daughters in Cardinals colors and given to him as a gift for opening day, the fresh kicks are too slick to miss, but this wasn’t a fashion walk Blake was about to make.
Starter Jack Flaherty had just walked the bases loaded full of Blue Jays in the first inning Saturday at Busch Stadium. His fastball was misbehaving, and his pitch count was swelling.