WASHINGTON -- The Cardinals' decision to carry Carlos Villanueva on their Opening Day roster meant that for the first time in his four-year managerial tenure, Mike Matheny would begin a season with a defined long man in his bullpen.
Villanueva's presence was crucial in an April 12 extra-inning win, as he threw 45 pitches to save the bullpen from being overtaxed. He was called upon again in Tuesday's extra-inning game, though that outing didn't last nearly as long as he had hoped. Yunel Escobar ended the Nationals' 2-1 win with a two-out homer in the 10th.