12/21/24
October 20, 2011
Cards Take Game 1 of World Series: The St. Louis Cardinals won 3-2 over the Texas Rangers in game one of the World Series. Chris Carpenter got the win, giving up two runs in six innings, and pinch hitter Allen Craig hit an RBI single in the sixth to put the Cards ahead. Lance Berkman, who used to hurt the Rangers with his words, caused more distress with a two-run single in the fourth.
Wonder if Zonal Marking is going to start providing detailed LaRussa analysis.
posted by beaverboard at 09:50 AM on October 20, 2011
Hell of a game 1. If it it's any indication, we may have a great series on our hands.
posted by Debo270 at 09:53 AM on October 20, 2011
yes, hell of a game. Starting with that diving catch and sliding tag of 1st by Carpenter in the 1st inning, it was a great game.
With so much else to focus on, I'm a bit surprised that the media is playing up Berkman's "average" assessment of the Rangers last off-season. It's not like he's the only one that made that prediction when the team lost Cliff Lee. Half the local media here in Dallas had similar outlooks. Plus, Berkman admitted he was wrong directly to the Rangers in mid-season. I get that some look for any angle to exploit, just seems a bit lame to me.
We'll see how weather plays into this series, cold again tonight, but it will be warmer once the games get to Texas.
posted by dviking at 10:15 AM on October 20, 2011
I thought Carpenter's dive and slide was incredibly dumb, despite the fact it worked out for him. There's so many different ways he could be injured there. It's better to lose the out than to lose your No. 1 starter. If Elvis Andrus was running harder or more recklessly, he could easily have stepped on him.
posted by rcade at 10:35 AM on October 20, 2011
Was amused not only that FOX has brought in Hot Spot -- and that Joe Buck acknowledged that they'd borrowed it from their Australian colleagues, where it's now part of the DRS system in cricket -- but that there were a couple of instances where it wasn't simply a gimmick, but exposed blown calls, particularly Beltre's foul off the toe that was called in play in the 9th.
Vaseline on bats, anyone?
posted by etagloh at 11:39 AM on October 20, 2011
If Elvis Andrus was running harder or more recklessly, he could easily have stepped on him.
"In the old days", Andrus would have TRIED to step on Carpenter's hand.
posted by grum@work at 11:52 AM on October 20, 2011
Esteban German?
I had to double check that it was the same failed Oakland infield prospect from the previous century. I couldn't believe he was still around. Even more incredible, he's been getting cups-of-coffee (and more) for 10 seasons.
He's probably the quintessential Quadruple-A middle infielder.
posted by grum@work at 11:56 AM on October 20, 2011
I'll agree that in hind sight Carpenter's dive and slide was a risky play, but I don't think he planned that play out. The throw was low, he goes down to get it, and ends up sliding across the bag. He clearly is expecting to get stepped on as he slides, he tries to protect his arm and is grimacing in expectation of the cleats.
Yeah, in the old days Andrus would have tried to step on him. Pete Rose would have stepped on him twice.
I think the German move was crazy even by Ron Washington standards. I get the righty to lefty thinking, but Murphy has been a solid hitter, and German hadn't been active.
posted by dviking at 12:22 PM on October 20, 2011
While Carpenter's slide and dive was probably dumb, I'm not sure you can expect an athlete to not try to make the play in that situation. I am sure this is a matter of instinct taking over at the expense of self-preservation.
I was lucky enough to attend the game last night and, weather notwithstanding, thought it was just great, both in terms of the overall spectacle and environment as well as the game on the field. A well-pitched game, with one timely pinch hit being the deciding factor (along with, arguably, Washington making some curious pinch-hitting choices). I am not a big member of the "Tony La Russa, Genius" camp, but his moves are seemingly all going right in the postseason. Of course, this is aided in large part by actually having a good bullpen that you can rely on to protect a small lead in the late innings.
posted by holden at 12:44 PM on October 20, 2011
"In the old days", Andrus would have TRIED to step on Carpenter's hand.
Confession: Though I told my wife I was glad Andrus deftly avoided stepping on Carpenter, I was wishing he stepped on the pitching hands of the entire Cardinals starting rotation.
posted by rcade at 01:27 PM on October 20, 2011
Confessing a wish for harm to come to Cardinals, coupled with your illustrious past, is going to get you some angry smoke blowing from the rooftops of Rome.
posted by beaverboard at 04:41 PM on October 20, 2011
Dude, once we confess we're completely in the clear.
posted by rcade at 07:17 PM on October 20, 2011
Esteban German?