"It was nice to get to [an end] point," Lackey acknowledged.
On May 18, Lackey was rolling right along opposite Matt Harvey when, at 76 pitches, he was plucked for a pinch-hitter. It was a move that irritated Lackey, who said after the start that he hadn't felt better on the mound in years. Then last weekend, Lackey threw only five innings before rain prematurely ended a game against Kansas City.
When he has been able to stay on the mound, though, Lackey has been the workhorse the Cardinals sorely needed, especially after losing Adam Wainwright for the season.