Chris

Lambert

“We don’t think it’s anything,” manager Chris Maloney said. “It’s just better to be safe than sorry.” Lambert, a 2004 first-round pick, is 10-9 with a 5.30 ERA in 23 starts for Springfield.

Lambert allowed one run in two innings in his previous start. The 2004 first-round pick had a 6.35 ERA in 18 starts after being moved up to Double-A Springfield this year, so a nice AFL season would be good to see.

The game was shortened to seven innings because of the 10-run rule. Nic Ungs relieved Lambert and finished the shutout. Brandon Wood, Brian Snyder and Bryan LeHair homered, and Ryan Shealy finished with four hits.

Four of the six teams advance from the round-robin event beginning tomorrow. After that comes the 12-team Americas Olympic Qualifier in Havana, Cuba from Aug. 22-Sept. 3, 2006. The top two teams from the Havana qualifier advance to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Following Lambert in the U.S. rotation will be Jered Weaver (vs. Mexico), Brian Bass (vs. Nicaragua), Steven White (vs. Panama) and Bill Murphy (vs. Canada).

The 2004 first-round pick has a 3.02 ERA and a 42/15 K/BB ratio in 47 2/3 IP in the Florida State League. He might spend the second half of the season in Double-A.

Lambert was 7-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 53 H and 46/15 K/BB in 54 2/3 IP for Single-A Palm Beach. Since he has Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright ahead of him, Lambert may have a tough time making it back to the majors before 2007. The Cardinals may end up trading one or two of their better pitching prospects if they need help at the deadline.

It’s a fair return based on what Maroth has given the Cardinals, but Lambert, a 2004 first-round pick out of Boston College, barely resembles a prospect these days. The 24-year-old had a 6.21 ERA in nine starts and 24 relief appearances between Double- and Triple-A this year. He’s a long shot to have a career as a reliever.

It was a combined one-hitter, as Freddy Dolsi finished the 5-0 victory over Louisville. Lambert has been a bust since being picked 19th overall by the Cardinals in the 2004 draft, but he’s high on the list of possible rotation alternatives should the Tigers continue to deal with injuries and ineffectiveness. He had a 5.66 ERA in 20 2/3 innings for Detroit last year.

Manager Jim Leyland sent Galarraga back to the hotel before Tuesday night’s game because he wasn’t feeling well. Chris Lambert and his 32.50 ERA is a candidate to start if Galarraga can’t go.