(My Sportsbook) - Cardinals ace pitcher Matt Morris has not pitched well this month, it is as simple as that. Morris defeated the Reds yesterday to record his eighth win, but his numbers were anything but stellar. The veteran allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings.

In his five starts this month, Morris has allowed 25 runs on 37 hits in just 23 2/3 innings pitched. In those starts, the 28-year-old has posted a 2-2 record with an ERA of 9.51. Over his past two seasons, Morris has posted a 6-3 record with a 3.00 ERA in the month of June while allowing only 27 runs combined.

"This has been a hard stretch for me, the last four weeks," Morris told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Not being able to go out there and do what I want to do, mentally or physically. I understand why (the slump) is a big deal, and it definitely adds a distraction and pressure. But that's what it's all about. That's why I'm here and that's why I love to pitch. When I start executing again, I'll become my quiet self."

This slump could not have come at a worse time with upcoming games against the Kansas City Royals, who the Cardinals just lost two out of three to last week, and the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants, The Chicago Cubs, who are in first place in the Central and sit one game above the Cardinals for the division lead are also coming up on the slate. Three teams such as these are not what you want a struggling pitching staff to face in the future weeks. Especially if your ace pitcher is struggling worse then anyone in the staff.

St. Louis has a small margin for mistakes, especially playing in a division with three other quality teams, such as the Reds, the Astros and the Cubs. The Central is arguably the strongest division in the National League.

The Cardinals, who were 57-33 against fellow Central clubs last season, are only 22-21 this season. 16 of those 21 losses were to either the Astros, Cubs, or Reds. Last season, St. Louis only lost 20 games to all three of these teams combined.

Ever since the Cardinals suffered the shocking death of Darryl Kile last season, Morris has been relied on to be the ace of the staff. For the most part, the hurler has been up to the challenge.

"This guy is an upper echelon, champion-type rotation starter," Coach Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "As long as he's feeling good. Everybody has their hiccup somewhere, where they just struggle to get it, and he's determined to get back on it. He didn't let the three runs all of sudden mess with his head. He stayed positive and knew he had a lot of game left, and the team rallied."

There is speculation that Morris could be hurt, or it could just be a mental lapse that is effecting his game. No matter the problem, Morris must get things together because things don't get any easier from here.

WHO'S HOT

Pujols is 11-for-21 with five runs, seven RBI and four doubles in his last four games.

Since being called up from Memphis of the Coast League, second baseman Bo Hart is 15-for-30 with six runs, one home run and four RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Brett Tomko is 1-1 in the month of June and has allowed 30 runs in 32 innings pitched.

In his last two relief appearances, Jeff Fassero has posted an 0-1 record, allowing seven runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

COMING UP:

The Cardinals will finish their three-game set against the Reds tonight before travelling to Kansas City for a three-game series.