Rosenthal sets franchise K record for relievers

ST. LOUIS -- By striking out the side in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Brewers, Trevor Rosenthal moved into first on the Cardinals all-time strikeout list for relievers with 96.

And it only took him 67 1/3 innings to do it, fewer than any other reliever in the top 20. The next closest on the list, Diego Segui, needed 100 1/3 innings to fan 93.

"It's cool to be recognized with all those other guys," Rosenthal said. "I know how great of people they are from getting to know them and hearing other people talk about their accomplishments. That's probably one of the coolest things. It's a good feeling. I'm just trying to represent it well."

The Cardinals have leaned on Rosenthal for many high-pressure situations in big games this season, something the right-hander believes he's accustomed to after being thrown into the fire as a rookie last season. He pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings in the postseason with just 22 2/3 innings of big league experience under his belt.

"I actually had an opportunity to pitch quite a bit in the playoffs, where throughout September I didn't even know if I was going to be on the roster," Rosenthal said. "I think that helped a lot. Definitely now it makes you shy away from the nervousness of getting in the game to more of an adrenaline rush and more excitement about having an opportunity to pitch in those situations."

Rosenthal will have a different sort of distraction diverting his focus Wednesday, as he and his wife, Lindsey, prepare to welcome their first child on Thursday. She is scheduled to be induced for labor Wednesday night after the game, and they're are expecting a baby girl sometime Thursday morning.

"Never know how long it's going to take, so we're just kind of playing it by ear and whatever happens, happens," he said. "It's definitely going to be life-changing from talking to other dads on the team. It's something you can't really prepare for, and I'm excited. I can't wait to be a dad."