:: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 ::

Cards live to play another day
The Houston Astros were just one strike away from their first trip ever to the World Series. Just one strike away. Astros closer Brad Lidge, an invincible force against the St. Louis Cardinals in last year's playoffs, had struck out the first two he'd faced in the ninth to preserve the Astros' 4-2 lead, and he had two strikes on David Eckstein. The Fox Sports broadcasters had already anointed the Astros as the NL champs. But Eckstein, one of the best two-strike hitters in baseball, crashed the party by punching a grounder past the third baseman and reached first, keeping the Cardinals' hopes alive. Next came Jim Edmonds, who stayed patient at the plate and drew a walk. Then, Albert Pujols, 0-for-4 in the game thus far, crushed one -- a three-run homer that gave the Cards a 5-4 lead. Izzy retired the Astros in order in the ninth, preserving the Cardinals win.

Houston now leads the series, three games to two. Next stop: Back to St. Louis and Busch Stadium for at least one more game.

Pujols was the hero in this game, but Eckstein deserves a lot of credit for getting that key hit to keep the Cardinals alive. Another unsung hero in that game is catcher Yadier Molina, who made an incredible tag at the plate to prevent a Houston run.

Do the Cardinals have the momentum now? It certainly felt that way in the bottom of the ninth, as the Fox cameras swept over the Astros fans, suddenly silent and nervous. Even old Nolan Ryan had a look on his face that said, "It's over." But don't count the 'stros out just yet. They're going with their best pitcher, Roy Oswalt, on Wednesday. He shut down the Cards in game 2, and could do it again. During the year, however, the Cardinals hit him pretty well. Let's hope the Cardinals bats come to life in Busch stadium for Game 6, or there may not be a Game 7.

Go Cards!

, , , , , ,

:: Andrew 07:10 + ::
...

bloggedy blog recommends

Save the Net

bloggedy pod (my podcast page)

Independent hotels
in Missouri

Get Firefox!

null

eMusic's Power Charts: The Most Interactive Music Charts Online.

Never Mind the Bibles

In rotation

What I've been listening to lately. Click album cover or hyperlink to hear track samples and learn more.

Sermon on Exposition Boulevard Rickie Lee Jones, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard

Children Running Through Patty Griffin, Children Running Through

Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Tones of Town Field Music, Tones of Town

The Girl Collection De Bossen, The Girl Collection

Robbers & Cowards Cold War Kids, Robbers & Cowards

Carinvore Simon Dawes, Carnivore

Until Death Comes Frida Hyvonen, Until Death Comes

Tratore Basics 2: New Brazilian Rock Tratore Basics Vol. 2, Novo Rock Brazil

Modern Times Yusuf: An Other Cup

Modern Times The Beatles: Love

Two Thousand The French Kicks: Two Thousand

Paper Television The Blow: Paper Television

Freedom Haters Unite! A Bloodshot Records Sampler, Vol. 1 Freedom Haters Unite! A Bloodshot Records Sampler

Beast Moans Swan Lake: Beast Moans

Prototypes Prototypes: Prototypes

Violence Is Golden Scanners: Violence Is Golden

Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives Voxtrot: Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives

Your Biggest Fan Voxtrot: Your Biggest Fan

Translate Macon Greyson: Translate

Get Evens The Evens: Get Evens

Veruca Salt IV Veruca Salt: Veruca Salt IV

Modern Times Bob Dylan: Modern Times

Look Your Best Pink Tuscadero: Look Your Best

Blue On Blue Leigh Nash: Blue on Blue

I Am  Not Afraid Of  You And I Will Beat Your Ass Yo La Tengo: I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

Boys and Girls in America The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America

The Longest Meow Bobby Bare Jr.: The Longest Meow"

Hello Love The Be Good Tanyas: Hello Love

The Lemonheads The Lemonheads: The Lemonheads

Ben Kweller Ben Kweller: Ben Kweller

We Are The Pipettes The Pipettes: We Are the Pipettes

Surprise Paul Simon: Surprise

Sev7en Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners: Sev7en

A Hundred Highways Johnny Cash: American V: A Hundred Highways

For the Best of Us The John Doe Thing: For the Best of Us

Runaway Bombshell The Fondas: Runaway Bombshell

Flat-Pack Philosophy Buzzcocks: Flat Pack Philosophy

Citrus Asobi Seksu: Citrus

The Loon Tapes 'n Tapes: The Loon

2006 Pitchfork Music Festival Sampler Various Artists: 2006 Pitchfork Music Festival Sampler (24 free tracks)

News and Tributes The Futureheads: News and Tributes

Zoysia The Bottle Rockets: Zoysia

Let's Get Out of This Country Camera Obscura: Let's Get Out of This Country

Bang Bang Rock & Roll Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll

A Blessing and a Curse Drive By Truckers: A Blessing and a Curse

Broken Boy Soldiers The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers

The Life Pursuit Belle and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit

The Greatest Cat Power: The Greatest

bloggedy tags

from our sponsors

for your viewing pleasure

24x7
rocketboom
the Richard Show

where in the world?

Locations of visitors to this page