Smith takes mound tonight

ST. LOUIS -- It's likely that no one who has ever thrown a no-hitter has had to wait as long for the follow-up, then faced such trying conditions, as Bud Smith.

The St. Louis Cardinals' rookie left-hander, who dazzled the San Diego Padres on Sept. 3, returns to the mound tonight as the major leagues resume action after a six-day layoff due to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Smith, who'll be facing the Milwaukee Brewers on 13 days rest, said he'll try his best to block out the somber situation.

"You're just going to have to," Smith said Sunday. After pre-game ceremonies, Smith said "I'll just get back into my mindset of getting outs, getting the wins."

The Cardinals worked out for 2 1-2 hours at an otherwise empty Busch Stadium, including a brief intrasquad game with coaches pitching. The team played a seven-inning intrasquad game on Saturday with 10 pitchers, not including Smith, getting work.

Now it's time to play for real again, and Manager Tony La Russa doesn't know if the Cardinals, who are a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the wild card standings with 19 games to go, are ready.

"I don't think there's any way to figure it out," La Russa said. "You do what you have to do."

Pitcher Dustin Hermanson, who's scheduled to start the second game back on Tuesday, said he was having trouble getting geared up for games that just don't seem to matter as much anymore.

"I don't think anybody's mind is on baseball," Hermanson said.

A long wait

The wait for Smith, the 16th rookie in modern history to throw a no-hitter, is longer than most because he skipped a start to rest after throwing 134 pitches in his no-hitter. He threw about 30 pitches in a workout in Milwaukee before the team bused home on Thursday. He'll be making his 12th career start.

"It seems like it's been forever," Smith said. "I'm just itching. I'm anxious to get out there. So is everybody else."

The team is somewhat concerned that Smith, 21, has thrown 177 2-3 innings in the majors and minors this year. Not Smith.

"I'm not a power pitcher. I'm not out there throwing max velocity," Smith said. "I'm just out there pitching. To me, my arm's just as good as it was in spring training.

"They're just looking out for me, but I feel great."

After Smith (4-2) and Hermanson (12-12), it'll be Matt Morris (19-7), Woody Williams (12-9) and Darryl Kile (14-10). La Russa is holding Morris out until Wednesday so he'll be able to pitch twice against the NL Central-leading Houston Astros, who are five games ahead of the Cardinals, the rest of the way.

Kile is OK

Kile is at the end of the rotation because he experienced tightness in his elbow during his last start, but he's gotten clearance from team doctors and played catch without problems on Saturday. Hermanson didn't throw Saturday due to a stiff neck, but threw about 45 pitches on the side Sunday and said he'll be ready to go.

The Brewers will go with Ruben Quevedo, Jamey Wright and Jeff D'Amico in the three-game series.

Miniature American flags will be given to all fans in every major league ballpark today. There will be a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks after the national anthem, and in the seventh inning stretch "God Bless America" will be sung instead of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

A poem written by Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck will be read and there possibly will be other video tributes.

Stadiums will have heightened security the rest of the season. The biggest change at Busch Stadium will be that coolers are no longer allowed, along with backpacks or large bags. Parking is prohibited within 100 feet of the stadium perimeter except for authorized vehicles.