If not officially, Motte pitching like closer

PITTSBURGH -- If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the saying goes, it probably is a duck. Well, if a pitcher pitches like a closer and pitches when a closer pitches, he probably is a closer.
In the Cardinals' case, the pitcher in question is right-hander Jason Motte. Manager Tony La Russa has yet to declare Motte as his man in the ninth inning. But frankly, he doesn't have to. No other pitcher has received so much as a save chance in September.
And until and unless Motte ceases to be effective, he's likely to continue to get the chances. The only exception is a night like Monday. Motte finished the Cards' recent homestand by pitching in three straight games, and La Russa might hesitate to push him for a fourth straight day.
Other than that, though, it's difficult to envision anyone else getting any real chance at the job soon. Motte has locked down opponents of late. Since the beginning of July, he has 22 strikeouts, three walks, one earned run and 17 hits in 28 2/3 innings.
In particular, he's become much more effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .231 batting average, .250 on-base percentage and .282 slugging percentage since July 1 (.289/.378/.395 through June).
"That's a major development," La Russa said. "He's starting to do some things. ... He's locating, but he's added some wrinkles. You just can't sit on that four-seam fastball anymore."

Wainwright finalist for Man of the Year award

PITTSBURGH -- Adam Wainwright must be doing something right. Even in a year in which he has not appeared in a game, Wainwright has been nominated for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
The award, given annually by the Major League Baseball Players Association, recognizes players who "inspire others to higher levels of achievement by their on-field performances and contributions to their communities." Wainwright is one of six nominees in 2011 -- one from each of baseball's divisions.
Major League players will vote on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Miller Award, as well as the rest of the Players Choice Awards, covering a variety of on-field categories. Albert Pujols and Mark McGwire are among past winners of the Miller Award.
Wainwright is an active supporter of the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, which provides outdoor experiences for kids with life-threatening illnesses.

Tidbits

• Blaise Ilsley, the pitching coach for Triple-A Memphis, has joined the Cardinals for their road trip. He follows Memphis hitting coach Mark Budaska, who helped out on the just-concluded homestand. The next shift, on the club's next homestand, will go to Memphis manager Chris Maloney.
• Another Minor League visitor on Monday was Double-A Springfield first baseman Matt Adams, who was the Texas League's player of the year and is a leading candidate for the Cardinals organization's Minor League player of the year award. Adams visited the club as the guest of Nick Punto, who met the slugger during a rehabilitation assignment at Springfield. Adams, who recently turned 23, attended nearby Slippery Rock University.
• Manager Tony La Russa has yet to announce the club's rotation for the upcoming weekend series in Philadelphia.
• Right-hander Eduardo Sanchez is traveling with the club but has not yet been activated from the disabled list. Sanchez is recovering from a shoulder injury and is expected to be able to pitch any day now, but for the time being he is still on the DL.