ST. LOUIS (AP) -Ryan Franklin stayed at home for two days, and quickly decided that was enough.
The Cardinals reliever was back at the ballpark Friday after missing two games with strep throat. Team doctors advised him to wait another day but Franklin insisted on returning to the ballpark.
“It was tough sitting at home watching the seventh and eighth inning roll around and knowing it was my time to be out there,” Franklin said. “That was tough, man, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I guess the doctor will see this anyway but he told me not to show up until Saturday.”
ining, leads the team with seven holds and has retired 17 of 18 first batters.
Franklin wasn’t certain if he’d be strong enough to pitch Friday. Strong antibiotics have aided in a quick turnaround.
“I didn’t know it was that tough on your body,” he said. “It’s one of those things that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
“I’m not 100 percent yet but I will be in a couple of days.”
Franklin last pitched on Sunday in Detroit, working a scoreless inning. He hasn’t given up a run in his last eight appearances, each an inning in length, and was 1-0 with a stingy 0.95 ERA.
Franklin’s illness coincided with a visit from his parents and grandparents. Instead of watching him pitch, they took care of him, and were back in Oklahoma on Friday when the Cardinals began a three-game series against the Washington Nationals.
“They’ll probably get it,” Franklin said. “They said they came up here and made me sick.”
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