http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball ... 50693906/1
Rally Squirrel leads St. Louis to shut out Phillies
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Rally Squirrel leads St. Louis to shut out Phillies
by Eliza » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:55 pm
Carpenter shuts out Phillies, Cardinals advance to NLCS
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball ... 50693906/1
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball ... 50693906/1
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
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TLR,Cardinals going nuts for Rally Squirrel fervor at Busch
by Eliza » Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:08 am
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:05 am
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Historical game.
by Eliza » Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:18 am
Freese's walkoff homer in 11th sends Series to Game 7
BY JOE STRAUSS | Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:38 pm
The seemingly inevitable turned unbelievable before fading to the unthinkable and back to the incredible for the Cardinals on Thursday night at Busch Stadium.
David Freese capped an amazing World Series Game 6 with a leadoff homer in the 11th inning, and the Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 10-9 to force a deciding game Friday night.
Freese had already been a hero. One strike away from a nine-inning loss, the Cardinals salvaged themselves with Freese's two-run, two-out triple to make it a 7-7 game, only to have Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer in the top of the 1oth.
But the Cardinals still weren't done, getting a run on an infield out and then tying the score at 9-9 on Lance Berkman's single off Scott Feldman to turn the World Series yet again.
Freese, the NL championship series MVP, thrilled a crowd of 47,325 by extending a two-month miracle with a two-strike slash that scored Albert Pujols and Berkman in the ninth.
However, the Rangers took their fourth lead of the game on Hamilton's rocket to center field.
The Cardinals led briefly in the first inning before forcing ties in the fourth, fifth and ninth innings.
The Cardinals exhibited the same traits that brought them back from the brink of irrelevance last August.
After sifting through six innings of woeful fundamental play, they caught themselves after the Rangers took a 7-4 seventh-inning lead and dug in against a closer who had converted each of seven previous postseason save chances. They hung two runs on Naftali Feliz in the ninth inning before chasing him from the 10th.
The Cardinals pulled within one run on Ryan Theriot's one-out ground ball, then watched Albert Pujols accept an intentional walk before Berkman's hit, which scored Jon Jay.
After allowing the Cardinals to maintain an improbable tie for six innings, the American League champions blew open the game with consecutive home runs by third baseman Adrian Beltre and right fielder Nelson Cruz before using a wild pitch to help complete a three-run rally.
The Cardinals tried but failed to contain the Rangers with five pitchers, including a three-inning start by Jaime Garcia.
Brought to Thursday's stage by a remarkable 32-16 run that began Aug. 25 when they found themselves 10½ games off the NL wild card lead, the Cardinals completed one more show of resilience.
Long before Beltre and Cruz reached rookie Lance Lynn for their home runs, the Cardinals sabotaged themselves with three errors before securing their 13th out.
They lost left fielder Matt Holliday to a hand injury sustained on a sixth-inning pick-off at third base.
Holliday's replacement, Allen Craig, cranked a solo home run during a four-hit eighth inning that brought no more runs.
The Cardinals committed two errors in 43 innings covering the first five games against the Rangers. They had made only six errors in 16 postseason games. Thursday's exhibition, however, was more reminiscent of the bad old days of July and mid-August.
Two dropped pop-ups and a pitcher's throwing error helped the Rangers to two unearned runs in the Cardinals' most unsightly display of the postseason.
The Rangers grabbed a 1-0 lead before Garcia managed an out. A leadoff walk of second baseman Ian Kinsler and shortstop Elvis Andrus' single put runners at first and third before Hamilton lined a first-pitch RBI single that scored Kinsler.
Garcia did well to extricate himself from a potentially huge inning by getting consecutive strikeouts and a ground ball.
Berkman provided the Cardinals their only lead in the bottom of the inning when he reached Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis for a two-out, 413-foot home run to left-center field.
The Rangers again threatened a breakout in the second inning when a leadoff walk and center fielder Craig Gentry's single created a first-and-second situation that demanded a bunt attempt from Lewis. However, Lewis bunted too firmly and the Cardinals turned an unusual 5-6-4 double play that left a runner at second base. Kinsler salvaged something from the pitcher's gaffe by drilling a ground-rule double that scored Gentry with the tying run.
Still tied, the Cardinals began to exhibit defensive flaws in the fourth inning when Cruz, the first batter to face reliever Fernando Salas, lofted a fly ball into shallow left field. Shortstop Rafael Furcal retreated while Holliday made a halting charge. At the last moment Holliday lunged for the ball but dropped it for a two-base error.
Catcher Mike Napoli immediately singled to score Cruz for a 3-2 lead and his 10th RBI of the Series.
The Rangers again missed a chance to distort the game when they failed to exploit Salas' throwing error on Lewis' second bunt attempt. Salas' throw into center field left runners at first and second with one out before he struck out Kinsler and got a fly ball to left field.
More than able to match the Cardinals' loose defense, the Rangers allowed a tying run in the bottom of the fourth without allowing a hit.
Berkman reached when Lewis failed to find the bag on his grounder to first baseman Michael Young. The squandered out led to run when Holliday walked and consecutive ground balls advanced Berkman from second to third to home.
As unsightly as was Holliday's drop the inning before, Freese's inability to hold onto Hamilton's pop fly to begin the fifth inning proved more stunning. Freese moved from fair to foul territory and back again before the ball popped from his glove.
Young quickly capitalized by driving a double to left-center field, scoring Hamilton for a 4-3 lead.
Rangers manager Ron Washington employed some odd tactics in the inning, first using a pinch hitter for his No. 8 hitter, then allowing Lewis to bat for himself with two outs and the bases loaded. Lewis' bases-loaded strikeout cost the Rangers their best defensive center fielder, Gentry, but left Lewis in the game to work 51/3 innings.
More high jinks factored in the Cardinals' second unearned run, which forced a 4-4 game in the sixth inning.
Berkman reached for a third time on a one-out, squib single to third base the Cardinals' only hit from the second through the seventh innings before Holliday bounced meekly to first base. Rather than take the routine out, Young hurried himself trying to start a double play and lost his grip on the ball. A walk of Freese loaded the bases and caused Washington to replace Lewis with reliever Alexi Ogano.
Ogano's answer was a five-pitch walk of Molina to force home the tying run.
With the Cardinals poised for a statement rally, Holliday then found himself picked off third base for the inning's second out. He also jammed his right pinky during his headfirst scramble back to the game and had to leave the game.
The lost runner became huge when Ogando walked second baseman Nick Punto after leading in the count, 0-2. Pinch hitter Jon Jay extended his Series hitless streak to 15 at-bats with a pinch ground out.
The night's most remarkable feat was the Cardinals' ability to remain tied through six innings despite having as many errors (three) as hits. The Rangers produced only four runs through six innings despite eight hits, the Cardinals' three defensive mishaps and four walks.
Similar waste doomed the Cardinals in Game 5 when the Rangers rallied on consecutive solo home runs before winning the game with a two-run eighth inning.
Lou Brock, left, and Stan Musial ride off
the field after being introduced to the crowd
before the start of Game 6 of the World
Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis
Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday
October 27, 2011 in St. Louis. Photo by Chris Lee,
clee@post-dispatch.com
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball ... 0f31a.html
BY JOE STRAUSS | Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:38 pm
The seemingly inevitable turned unbelievable before fading to the unthinkable and back to the incredible for the Cardinals on Thursday night at Busch Stadium.
David Freese capped an amazing World Series Game 6 with a leadoff homer in the 11th inning, and the Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 10-9 to force a deciding game Friday night.
Freese had already been a hero. One strike away from a nine-inning loss, the Cardinals salvaged themselves with Freese's two-run, two-out triple to make it a 7-7 game, only to have Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer in the top of the 1oth.
But the Cardinals still weren't done, getting a run on an infield out and then tying the score at 9-9 on Lance Berkman's single off Scott Feldman to turn the World Series yet again.
Freese, the NL championship series MVP, thrilled a crowd of 47,325 by extending a two-month miracle with a two-strike slash that scored Albert Pujols and Berkman in the ninth.
However, the Rangers took their fourth lead of the game on Hamilton's rocket to center field.
The Cardinals led briefly in the first inning before forcing ties in the fourth, fifth and ninth innings.
The Cardinals exhibited the same traits that brought them back from the brink of irrelevance last August.
After sifting through six innings of woeful fundamental play, they caught themselves after the Rangers took a 7-4 seventh-inning lead and dug in against a closer who had converted each of seven previous postseason save chances. They hung two runs on Naftali Feliz in the ninth inning before chasing him from the 10th.
The Cardinals pulled within one run on Ryan Theriot's one-out ground ball, then watched Albert Pujols accept an intentional walk before Berkman's hit, which scored Jon Jay.
After allowing the Cardinals to maintain an improbable tie for six innings, the American League champions blew open the game with consecutive home runs by third baseman Adrian Beltre and right fielder Nelson Cruz before using a wild pitch to help complete a three-run rally.
The Cardinals tried but failed to contain the Rangers with five pitchers, including a three-inning start by Jaime Garcia.
Brought to Thursday's stage by a remarkable 32-16 run that began Aug. 25 when they found themselves 10½ games off the NL wild card lead, the Cardinals completed one more show of resilience.
Long before Beltre and Cruz reached rookie Lance Lynn for their home runs, the Cardinals sabotaged themselves with three errors before securing their 13th out.
They lost left fielder Matt Holliday to a hand injury sustained on a sixth-inning pick-off at third base.
Holliday's replacement, Allen Craig, cranked a solo home run during a four-hit eighth inning that brought no more runs.
The Cardinals committed two errors in 43 innings covering the first five games against the Rangers. They had made only six errors in 16 postseason games. Thursday's exhibition, however, was more reminiscent of the bad old days of July and mid-August.
Two dropped pop-ups and a pitcher's throwing error helped the Rangers to two unearned runs in the Cardinals' most unsightly display of the postseason.
The Rangers grabbed a 1-0 lead before Garcia managed an out. A leadoff walk of second baseman Ian Kinsler and shortstop Elvis Andrus' single put runners at first and third before Hamilton lined a first-pitch RBI single that scored Kinsler.
Garcia did well to extricate himself from a potentially huge inning by getting consecutive strikeouts and a ground ball.
Berkman provided the Cardinals their only lead in the bottom of the inning when he reached Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis for a two-out, 413-foot home run to left-center field.
The Rangers again threatened a breakout in the second inning when a leadoff walk and center fielder Craig Gentry's single created a first-and-second situation that demanded a bunt attempt from Lewis. However, Lewis bunted too firmly and the Cardinals turned an unusual 5-6-4 double play that left a runner at second base. Kinsler salvaged something from the pitcher's gaffe by drilling a ground-rule double that scored Gentry with the tying run.
Still tied, the Cardinals began to exhibit defensive flaws in the fourth inning when Cruz, the first batter to face reliever Fernando Salas, lofted a fly ball into shallow left field. Shortstop Rafael Furcal retreated while Holliday made a halting charge. At the last moment Holliday lunged for the ball but dropped it for a two-base error.
Catcher Mike Napoli immediately singled to score Cruz for a 3-2 lead and his 10th RBI of the Series.
The Rangers again missed a chance to distort the game when they failed to exploit Salas' throwing error on Lewis' second bunt attempt. Salas' throw into center field left runners at first and second with one out before he struck out Kinsler and got a fly ball to left field.
More than able to match the Cardinals' loose defense, the Rangers allowed a tying run in the bottom of the fourth without allowing a hit.
Berkman reached when Lewis failed to find the bag on his grounder to first baseman Michael Young. The squandered out led to run when Holliday walked and consecutive ground balls advanced Berkman from second to third to home.
As unsightly as was Holliday's drop the inning before, Freese's inability to hold onto Hamilton's pop fly to begin the fifth inning proved more stunning. Freese moved from fair to foul territory and back again before the ball popped from his glove.
Young quickly capitalized by driving a double to left-center field, scoring Hamilton for a 4-3 lead.
Rangers manager Ron Washington employed some odd tactics in the inning, first using a pinch hitter for his No. 8 hitter, then allowing Lewis to bat for himself with two outs and the bases loaded. Lewis' bases-loaded strikeout cost the Rangers their best defensive center fielder, Gentry, but left Lewis in the game to work 51/3 innings.
More high jinks factored in the Cardinals' second unearned run, which forced a 4-4 game in the sixth inning.
Berkman reached for a third time on a one-out, squib single to third base the Cardinals' only hit from the second through the seventh innings before Holliday bounced meekly to first base. Rather than take the routine out, Young hurried himself trying to start a double play and lost his grip on the ball. A walk of Freese loaded the bases and caused Washington to replace Lewis with reliever Alexi Ogano.
Ogano's answer was a five-pitch walk of Molina to force home the tying run.
With the Cardinals poised for a statement rally, Holliday then found himself picked off third base for the inning's second out. He also jammed his right pinky during his headfirst scramble back to the game and had to leave the game.
The lost runner became huge when Ogando walked second baseman Nick Punto after leading in the count, 0-2. Pinch hitter Jon Jay extended his Series hitless streak to 15 at-bats with a pinch ground out.
The night's most remarkable feat was the Cardinals' ability to remain tied through six innings despite having as many errors (three) as hits. The Rangers produced only four runs through six innings despite eight hits, the Cardinals' three defensive mishaps and four walks.
Similar waste doomed the Cardinals in Game 5 when the Rangers rallied on consecutive solo home runs before winning the game with a two-run eighth inning.
Lou Brock, left, and Stan Musial ride off
the field after being introduced to the crowd
before the start of Game 6 of the World
Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis
Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday
October 27, 2011 in St. Louis. Photo by Chris Lee,
clee@post-dispatch.com
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball ... 0f31a.html
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:05 am
- Location: Deep in the hills with my rifle, bible, and pony
by Eliza » Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:25 am
LINK
Epic win for Cardinals forces Game 7 vs. Rangers
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAYUpdated 12m ago
ST. LOUIS -- David Freese refused to let the St. Louis Cardinals' magical season end Thursday night, hitting a dramatic 11th-inning home run for a 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers.
The exhilarating, breathtaking victory evened the World Series at three games apiece, with Game 7 scheduled tonight at Busch Stadium.
The Rangers twice were within one strike from winning their first World Series in franchise history. They instead were left watching in utter disbelief as the Cardinals came back in the ninth and 10th innings, setting up Freese's heroics in the 11th.
BOX SCORE: .Cardinals 10, Rangers 9, 11 inn. (Series tied 3-3)
PHOTOS: World Series gallery
"You had to be here,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, "to believe it.''
Freese rescued the Cardinals in the ninth inning with a two-out, two-strike, two-run triple off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz, tying the game at 7-apiece. It Lance Berkman's turn for heroics in the 10th, hitting a two-out, two-strike, one-run single off Scott Feldman, tying the game at 9.
And, then, it was Freese once again, hitting a leadoff homer to center field off reliever Mark Lowe on a 3-and-2 pitch. It sent the Busch Stadium crowd of 47,325 in utter bedlam. Freese crossed the plate, and was mobbed by his teammates, ripping his jersey off in excitement.
"The crowd, almost too numb too move, refused to leave their seats, almost in disbelief what they witnessed. It was the first time in World Series history that a team ever rallied twice from two runs down in the ninth inning or later.
"It's not that easy to win a world championship,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said, "as we found out tonight. Give them credit to the Cardinals for taking the game away from us.
"I expect us to respond [tonight].''
The Cardinals, 10 1/2 games out of the wild-card race on Aug. 25, three out with just five games remaining, saved their greatest drama for what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling games in the Cardinals' rich history.
"That defines our team, that game, how we kept coming back,'' said Freese, who grew up in the St. Louis area. "It's like a dream.''
Yet, the dream won't be fulfilled, Freese said, unless they win the World Series.
"That's what I want,'' Freese said. "I hope everybody is smiling 24 hours from now.''
This will be the first time since 2002 there will be a seventh game of the World Series, already a series that will long be remembered.
"It was unbelievable,'' said Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver. "One of the greatest games ever.''
And certainly, as it's turning out, one of the greatest series.
"It should be a fun game, looking forward to it,'' Rangers infielder Michael Young said. ""It's been a classic series. We'll get an opportunity to make it better with a Game 7.''
Still, the Rangers know it never should have gotten to that point. Not with closer Neftali Feliz, who had not blown a save since Aug. 6, with a 0.87 postseason ERA. Not with a two-run lead in the ninth, another two-run lead in the 10th, and needing just one strike.
""We thought we should have had it couple of times,'' Young said. "Anytime (Feliz) is in the game , we feel like we're going to win. We felt like we had the game won, so it's obviously tough. But we're a good team for a reason.''
Said La Russa: "This guys is a legitimate 1-2-3, and they're shaking hands. Our club does a real good job of just trying to get something started. And once they get something started, the other club worries.''
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who hit a two-run homer in the 10th that looked like it would be the game-winner, still had difficulty digesting how it all unraveled, just what he had witnessed.
"Playing the game, you're going to experience new things,'' Hamilton said. "And this is definitely an experience.''
One that forever will be etched in memory, with both teams refusing to let their season end.
"These are the best two teams in baseball,'' Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson says, "so neither of us are just going to give up.''
The Cardinals certainly proved they're not going to go away quietly. Now, the Rangers have to prove they can bounce back, with a Texas-sized state of pressure resting on their shoulders.
It's the stuff dreams are made.
"Growing up, you see stuff like that happen,'' Freese said, "those become memories. As far as being part of this comeback, it wouldn't be as sweet if this group of guys weren't with me. This is cool to have this group doing this kind of stuff.''
Yes, just like playing whiffle ball in the backyard, dreaming of becoming a hero.
"Only when you're a little kid and you're out there,'' Berkman said, "you don't have a bunch of reporters and fans that are ready to call you a chocking dog if you don't come through.
"So when you're a kid, you don't realize what a big moment that is.''
Epic win for Cardinals forces Game 7 vs. Rangers
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAYUpdated 12m ago
ST. LOUIS -- David Freese refused to let the St. Louis Cardinals' magical season end Thursday night, hitting a dramatic 11th-inning home run for a 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers.
The exhilarating, breathtaking victory evened the World Series at three games apiece, with Game 7 scheduled tonight at Busch Stadium.
The Rangers twice were within one strike from winning their first World Series in franchise history. They instead were left watching in utter disbelief as the Cardinals came back in the ninth and 10th innings, setting up Freese's heroics in the 11th.
BOX SCORE: .Cardinals 10, Rangers 9, 11 inn. (Series tied 3-3)
PHOTOS: World Series gallery
"You had to be here,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, "to believe it.''
Freese rescued the Cardinals in the ninth inning with a two-out, two-strike, two-run triple off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz, tying the game at 7-apiece. It Lance Berkman's turn for heroics in the 10th, hitting a two-out, two-strike, one-run single off Scott Feldman, tying the game at 9.
And, then, it was Freese once again, hitting a leadoff homer to center field off reliever Mark Lowe on a 3-and-2 pitch. It sent the Busch Stadium crowd of 47,325 in utter bedlam. Freese crossed the plate, and was mobbed by his teammates, ripping his jersey off in excitement.
"The crowd, almost too numb too move, refused to leave their seats, almost in disbelief what they witnessed. It was the first time in World Series history that a team ever rallied twice from two runs down in the ninth inning or later.
"It's not that easy to win a world championship,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said, "as we found out tonight. Give them credit to the Cardinals for taking the game away from us.
"I expect us to respond [tonight].''
The Cardinals, 10 1/2 games out of the wild-card race on Aug. 25, three out with just five games remaining, saved their greatest drama for what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling games in the Cardinals' rich history.
"That defines our team, that game, how we kept coming back,'' said Freese, who grew up in the St. Louis area. "It's like a dream.''
Yet, the dream won't be fulfilled, Freese said, unless they win the World Series.
"That's what I want,'' Freese said. "I hope everybody is smiling 24 hours from now.''
This will be the first time since 2002 there will be a seventh game of the World Series, already a series that will long be remembered.
"It was unbelievable,'' said Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver. "One of the greatest games ever.''
And certainly, as it's turning out, one of the greatest series.
"It should be a fun game, looking forward to it,'' Rangers infielder Michael Young said. ""It's been a classic series. We'll get an opportunity to make it better with a Game 7.''
Still, the Rangers know it never should have gotten to that point. Not with closer Neftali Feliz, who had not blown a save since Aug. 6, with a 0.87 postseason ERA. Not with a two-run lead in the ninth, another two-run lead in the 10th, and needing just one strike.
""We thought we should have had it couple of times,'' Young said. "Anytime (Feliz) is in the game , we feel like we're going to win. We felt like we had the game won, so it's obviously tough. But we're a good team for a reason.''
Said La Russa: "This guys is a legitimate 1-2-3, and they're shaking hands. Our club does a real good job of just trying to get something started. And once they get something started, the other club worries.''
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who hit a two-run homer in the 10th that looked like it would be the game-winner, still had difficulty digesting how it all unraveled, just what he had witnessed.
"Playing the game, you're going to experience new things,'' Hamilton said. "And this is definitely an experience.''
One that forever will be etched in memory, with both teams refusing to let their season end.
"These are the best two teams in baseball,'' Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson says, "so neither of us are just going to give up.''
The Cardinals certainly proved they're not going to go away quietly. Now, the Rangers have to prove they can bounce back, with a Texas-sized state of pressure resting on their shoulders.
It's the stuff dreams are made.
"Growing up, you see stuff like that happen,'' Freese said, "those become memories. As far as being part of this comeback, it wouldn't be as sweet if this group of guys weren't with me. This is cool to have this group doing this kind of stuff.''
Yes, just like playing whiffle ball in the backyard, dreaming of becoming a hero.
"Only when you're a little kid and you're out there,'' Berkman said, "you don't have a bunch of reporters and fans that are ready to call you a chocking dog if you don't come through.
"So when you're a kid, you don't realize what a big moment that is.''
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:05 am
- Location: Deep in the hills with my rifle, bible, and pony
Go Crazy Folks, Go Crazy!
by Eliza » Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:21 am
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball ... 50986246/1
Cardinals' improbable run results in 11th World Series title
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY
ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals, who pulled off one of the greatest recoveries in sports, completed one of the greatest comebacks on Friday when they won the World Series.
The Cardinals, who actually started making vacation plans in late August, slammed the Texas Rangers 6-2, turning the sellout crowd of 47,388 at Busch Stadium into a sea of delirium red.
It marks the 11th World Series title for the Cardinals and second in the past five years, leaving the Rangers to wallow in their anguish all winter.
PHOTOS: World Series gallery
COLUMN: Like true champions, Cardinals never quit
The Rangers, who blew five leads in Game 6 and twice were one strike away from winning their first World Series in franchise history, lost the conventional way on this night. It was the first time since Aug. 25 Texas had lost consecutive games, coinciding with the Cardinals' resurgence.
The Cardinals were 10 1/2 games back in the wild-card race on Aug. 25, 8 1/2 games back with 21 games left and three games out with just five to play in the regular season.
Now, they are the World Series champions, defying the odds and achieving what seemed to be impossible.
Third baseman David Freese, coming off an unreal Game 6 performance, added a two-run RBI double in the first inning Friday night and was named World Series MVP. He was also the NLCS MVP and his 21 RBI this month set a postseason record.
"Never,'' Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter said, "did we give up. It didn't look good, and it made sense when people were writing us off.
"But this team has a lot of heart, and we showed that, again and again.''
Throughout their season, the impending free agency of first baseman Albert Pujols was a constant subplot. It looked like the only story of note in St. Louis as September began.
But Pujols, who tied a Series record with three home runs and had a key double in the Cardinals' ninth-inning Game 6 comeback, instead delayed his off-season as long as possible and will carry the title of two-time champion into free agency.
"Two months ago we were supposed to be home, watching the World Series," Pujols said. "Now, we are world champions.
"The last month of the season, that's where it started. Different guys were coming through, we carried it through to the postseason and here we are, world champions."
Carpenter, pitching on three days' rest, is as responsible as anyone for the Cardinals' magical ride. He gave up two runs to the first four batters he faced, and then suffocated the Rangers' lethal attack. He gave up three hits until being pulled in the seventh inning after surrendering a leadoff double to David Murphy. Carpenter, with a 9-2 record in his postseason career, has won more playoff games than any pitcher in Cardinals history and is the first pitcher since Curt Schilling of the Arizona Diamondbacks to start three World Series games.
Once again, it was Freese who came through on Friday. Freese, who hit a game-tying triple and walk-off homer in Game 6, drove in two runs with a two-run double in the first inning. His nine RBI in the Series is the most by a third baseman.
Yet, this night, he had help. Allen Craig, who replaced an injured Matt Holliday in the lineup, hit a go-ahead home run in the third inning. It was Craig's third homer of the World Series, and the first go-ahead homer by a hitter in the second spot since Bucky Harris of the Washington Senators in 1924.
Then, just to further inflict pain, he showed off his defensive skills, robbing Nelson Cruz of a home run in the sixth inning, leaping over the left-field fence.
The Rangers, who had the champagne on ice in the laundry room of their clubhouse the last two nights, never got to take a sip. Their pitching staff, which surrendered six runs in the final three innings in Game 6, simply faltered at the worst time. They wound up issuing a World Series record 41 walks in the series, including six Friday with two hit batsmen.
"If there's anything I can take back from this World Series, it'd be one pitch from last night. But I can't," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, referring to the club's Game 6 meltdown. "All we can do is come back next year and commit ourselves to it, as we did this year.
"We had three opportunities to get the last out. We didn't get it done."
In Game 7, the Cardinals hardly had to swing the bat all night, with four runs via a walk or hit batsmen, including two with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
"This is pretty special,'' said Pujols. "It's unbelievable the way we did it.''
Cardinals' improbable run results in 11th World Series title
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY
ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals, who pulled off one of the greatest recoveries in sports, completed one of the greatest comebacks on Friday when they won the World Series.
The Cardinals, who actually started making vacation plans in late August, slammed the Texas Rangers 6-2, turning the sellout crowd of 47,388 at Busch Stadium into a sea of delirium red.
It marks the 11th World Series title for the Cardinals and second in the past five years, leaving the Rangers to wallow in their anguish all winter.
PHOTOS: World Series gallery
COLUMN: Like true champions, Cardinals never quit
The Rangers, who blew five leads in Game 6 and twice were one strike away from winning their first World Series in franchise history, lost the conventional way on this night. It was the first time since Aug. 25 Texas had lost consecutive games, coinciding with the Cardinals' resurgence.
The Cardinals were 10 1/2 games back in the wild-card race on Aug. 25, 8 1/2 games back with 21 games left and three games out with just five to play in the regular season.
Now, they are the World Series champions, defying the odds and achieving what seemed to be impossible.
Third baseman David Freese, coming off an unreal Game 6 performance, added a two-run RBI double in the first inning Friday night and was named World Series MVP. He was also the NLCS MVP and his 21 RBI this month set a postseason record.
"Never,'' Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter said, "did we give up. It didn't look good, and it made sense when people were writing us off.
"But this team has a lot of heart, and we showed that, again and again.''
Throughout their season, the impending free agency of first baseman Albert Pujols was a constant subplot. It looked like the only story of note in St. Louis as September began.
But Pujols, who tied a Series record with three home runs and had a key double in the Cardinals' ninth-inning Game 6 comeback, instead delayed his off-season as long as possible and will carry the title of two-time champion into free agency.
"Two months ago we were supposed to be home, watching the World Series," Pujols said. "Now, we are world champions.
"The last month of the season, that's where it started. Different guys were coming through, we carried it through to the postseason and here we are, world champions."
Carpenter, pitching on three days' rest, is as responsible as anyone for the Cardinals' magical ride. He gave up two runs to the first four batters he faced, and then suffocated the Rangers' lethal attack. He gave up three hits until being pulled in the seventh inning after surrendering a leadoff double to David Murphy. Carpenter, with a 9-2 record in his postseason career, has won more playoff games than any pitcher in Cardinals history and is the first pitcher since Curt Schilling of the Arizona Diamondbacks to start three World Series games.
Once again, it was Freese who came through on Friday. Freese, who hit a game-tying triple and walk-off homer in Game 6, drove in two runs with a two-run double in the first inning. His nine RBI in the Series is the most by a third baseman.
Yet, this night, he had help. Allen Craig, who replaced an injured Matt Holliday in the lineup, hit a go-ahead home run in the third inning. It was Craig's third homer of the World Series, and the first go-ahead homer by a hitter in the second spot since Bucky Harris of the Washington Senators in 1924.
Then, just to further inflict pain, he showed off his defensive skills, robbing Nelson Cruz of a home run in the sixth inning, leaping over the left-field fence.
The Rangers, who had the champagne on ice in the laundry room of their clubhouse the last two nights, never got to take a sip. Their pitching staff, which surrendered six runs in the final three innings in Game 6, simply faltered at the worst time. They wound up issuing a World Series record 41 walks in the series, including six Friday with two hit batsmen.
"If there's anything I can take back from this World Series, it'd be one pitch from last night. But I can't," said Rangers manager Ron Washington, referring to the club's Game 6 meltdown. "All we can do is come back next year and commit ourselves to it, as we did this year.
"We had three opportunities to get the last out. We didn't get it done."
In Game 7, the Cardinals hardly had to swing the bat all night, with four runs via a walk or hit batsmen, including two with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
"This is pretty special,'' said Pujols. "It's unbelievable the way we did it.''
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
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Eliza - Posts: 9704
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:05 am
- Location: Deep in the hills with my rifle, bible, and pony
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