Saturday, February 25, 2012

Top of the 6th - The beginning of a Conflict for a Cards Fan

So here now comes perhaps one of the greatest World Series performances ever, perhaps not. So the question is...in light of the offseason developments and the fact that players feel no team loyalty in today's game (so why should I feel player loyalty?) Can I enjoy this?

Let's see...

Theriot leads off and works the count full...The payoff pitch? WALKED HIM!

Here is Furcal sporting Edmonds old number 15 and John Rooney says it is time for HIM to do something big...on deck is Craig. Ogando is ALREADY pitching...Ball one outside...

Furcal swings and misses, strike one...Furcal fouls it back, strike two...Furcal squirts one through the right side! First and second, nobody out for the FAMOUS Craig - Ogando matchup...

With Pujols on deck!

Strike one on the outside corner is a beauty. Swing and a miss on strike two. Ball one waaaaaaaay outside...This is the MATCHUP OF THE INNING, am I right? Everything pivots on this...breaking ball outside is strike two. Oh right. Albert's on deck. OGANDO gEtS CRAIG SWINGING! ONE OUT!!!! OH MY!

Here comes the first basemen...he doesn't have two clutch hits off of Ogando in the series...so big deal...8-6 Cards...

Wow he looks big.

I just showed my friend Dani from Barcelona that 3 - run jack and even he understood that that was epic. Truly Enjoyable. Thank you, Albert, for the memories...THAT BALL WAS CRUUUUUUUUSHED!

11-6 Cards...

Holliday grounds out to short again and somehow is safe at first.

17 runs 20 hits and 3 errors...

Here's Berkman with one out...ball one...Holliday on first. 2-2 and Holliday was running...

Santa Claus built the ballpark according to Mike Shannon.

Full count on Berkman with Freese on deck...Berkman lines it to right for a base hit...two on and one out for Freese...

Freese fouls the first one out of play, strike one

I miss Albert.

Freese swings and misses on a 95 mph fastball.

There's Pujols and Punto. Where are they now? I miss Punto.

Inside on Freese...94 fastball, Shannon notes that he is slowing down (Ogando)

I hope the inning ends soon so I can see that CRUSH one more time...

3-2 outside, Freese works it full...

Freese fouls it back.

Oquendo changes the signs for the runners after Ogando does a stupid fake pick off and this shit is just slow and I remember why people say baseball is sometimes boring even when IT IS THE MOST EXCITING BASEBALL GAME IN HISTORY

Freese walks. Bases loaded...

Pitching Change...here comes Mike Gonzalez to pitch to Yadi...

First pitch and Yadi sends a sac fly to right...

Berkman slides in hard to 3rd...unnecessarily, and Schumaker's smile is priceless...Here is Jon Jay, mired in a slump...(you'll always have Game 6)

Jay ends it with a weak grounder to 2nd ... inning over...

Bottom of the 5th, 21 Days Later

Will Josh Hamilton bat this inning? Will he have a relapse in the offseason? Will he still kick ass as a baseball player and expect a Pujols-like contract? What will a Pujols-like contract be? Oh, right. That. Somebody tell him it is Anaheim not LA. And somebody tell Anaheim he doesn't like the El Hombre nickname. And he always liked it when we called...

Freese is in at Third and Andrus singles past him to lead it off...

Salas pitching...Shannon says, grab a cold frosty one we are gonna be here for awhile...

CHECK...Ahhhh...

Here's that Hamilton guy...he wants a cold frosty one, but settles for a basehit to right...first and third nobody out. Nothing is safe in this ballpark, Shannon says. Big Money Pujols tries to deke Hamilton.

Michael Young up.

Ball one way high and outside. Ball two delivered low.

Lynn getting ready in the bullpen. He looks alot like Motte from this distance...

Who are you? I'm getting old.

Salas sounds like Salads sometimes when Shannon says it. He gets away with a hanger that Young whiffs on.

2-1...3-1 in the dirt, blocked nicely by Yadi.

Young shoots a bullet past Young. Andrus scores, Hamilton hurt so he pulls up at 3rd. Freese played that like an LVP...hope his defense improves in 2012...

2nd and 3rd nobody out, 8-4 Cards...Here comes Tony to bring in Lance Lynn (remember this story line)

Lynn throws a 93 mph strike one fastball to Adrian Beltre.

Strike two fouled away.

Theriot is playing second. Holds up Beltre? appeals to the ump at first? He held up. Ball one.

Beltre hits a line drave base hit into left field... Just over the reach of Furcal he makes a valiant effort for it.

8-5, 1st and 3rd, sill nobody out and Nelson Cruz up...

Cruz fouls it back. Strike two called on the corner. Swing and a miss climbing the ladder! Nice pitch combo...here's fox showing it again...

Napoli up with one out and two on. Shannon still calling for the double play...I bet we get it...

In the dirt outside, ball one...

Fastball in...cards don't get the call because it was a ball, Mike...

2-0 on NAH-po-LEEE...strike one looking, a slider.

Mike Shannon reminds us that this is the big leagues...

TIME CALLED JUST AS LYNN WAS ABOUT TO THROW A FASTBALL THAT WOULD RIP A HOLE IN THE SPACE TIME CONTINUUM! Yadi wanted to change the sign for obvious reasons...

Offspeed delivery is called strke two.

These players don't feel the pressure you fans do! Mike says. And then he chuckles. I love that guy.

Napoli launches it into Right. Craig catches, runner tags and now it is 8-6!?!?!?! sac fly from Napoli...at least it stayed in the park.

Texas were worthy opponents.

Daniel Murphy Easy out is up to end the inning..Sorry...DAVID Murphy...

Lynn walks Murphy on four pitches. LaRussa looks at his game notes. And now he has to pitch to...

YOR VEEET TOR E AL BAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

A home run here would have given the rangers the lead. but that didn't happen...but what did happen?

Lynn takes a long look and drops a curve in for strike one A BEAUTY!

There's a Texas guy with a moustache and a cowboy hat! WOW! THAT SURE IS TEXAS FOR YOU!

Strike two and Shannon is smelling formaldehyde for some reason.


Yorvit fouls back the one two delivery...so do it again, Lance Lynn...

Nolan Ryan looks tired.

2-2, outside and low

3-2 on a ball in the dirt...come on, jeez...cut to the chase (3 Pujols bombs...conflicted)

Lynn walks the bases loaded...here comes Kinsler...a leadoff man who had 32 jacks during the reg'lar season...

Bases loaded two outs and Kinsler ... on the first pitch... taps it foul.

Lynn handcuffs Kinsler and he fouls it off again, 0-2

Lynn coulda given up a grand slam here... instead he wastes a high fastball.

Lynn coulda given up a grand slam here...instead...he...throws it inside 2-2

Lynn coulda given up a grand slam here...instead...he...GETS HIM TO POP OUT TO FURCAL!

INNING OVER 8-6 Cards

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Top of the 5th, Pujols leads off again...

wow what a play to end the fourth...Holliday getting the double play...

Pujols smokes the second pitch to center for his second single of the night.

Holliday up, great play in the bottom half, what will he do in the top?

Shannon says this game will not end 5-3.

You gotta keep punching, shannon says. THIS IS A HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT, BABY!

Strike one on Holliday...
Ball one low
BIG PUMA ON DECK
Ball two inside

Check on Pujols at first, bad throw, Napoli leaps to grab it. I hate all current and former Angels.

GREAT THROW FROM HOLLIDAY! REPLAY!

Holliday takes ball three and four...two on, no one out for BIG MOTHER FUNNIN' PUMA!

LaRussa apparently directed Holliday personally to throw out Napoli at home according to the Replay. GENIUS!

Ball one to BIG MF Puma

Ball two to BIG MF Puma

Freese on deck

Ball three to BIG MF Puma

He swinging if he wishes, says Shannon

Strike one to BIG MF Puma

Mark Lowe warming in the bullpen to pitch to Freese? I hope he pitches to him sometime this series.

The pitch...ball four loads the bases...

Here is Freese and there's Greg Maddux's bro to give pointers to the pitcher while I watch Jermaine Jackson's Dance instructional video.

Freese shatters his bat, ground ball past the pitcher, Pujols scores, Freese out at first.

6-3 Cardinals, one out. Nice job David. I mean, it's not like you were facing Mark Lowe.

Feldman stays in there to pitch to Neck Tat.

High, ball one to Yadi
Strike one fouled back
WOW!

Molina RAKES it down the left field line for a TWO RBI DOUBLE! Yeah, Yadi!

8-3 CARDS! Absolutely RAKED!

Jon Jay bats with one on, one out. Cards back up by 5.

Jay grounds back to the pitcher and they get Yadi hung up between 2nd and 3rd. Two out, Jay at first.

Theriot up, check on Jay at first who swiped 6 during the regular season.

Ball one to Theriot. Shannon says the 5th feels like the 12th. "Like picking apples in an apple orchard...hehehehe...mercy...I always tried to take an apple to the teacher. I needed it." Shannon is really cracking himself up here.

Jay GOES and the throw gets him. END OF INNING

Bottom of the 4th Lohse needs a lockdown inning...

...aaaaaaaaaand Lohse gives up a Leadoff Homer to Michael Young, his first WS homer...


CRANKED IT...5-1 Cards

Here's Beltre...

A hard base hit to left, two hits on two pitches to start the 4th. Nice one, Kyle.

Here's Nelson Cruz as some activity starts in the Cards 'pen. What a 'pen!

Lohse finally throws a pitch that isn't hammered. Jams Cruz in, foul, strike one.

Ball one, low and in.

Fernando Salas warms in the 'pen.

Cruz hammers a 2-RUN HOMER TO RIGHT. JUST LIKE THAT, THE REAL KYLE LOHSE SHOWS HIMSELF!

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUgeddaboudit.

5-3 Cardinals. Molina to the mound. Nobody on, nobody out. Napoli waits to hit.

Here comes Duncan to the mound. He sees something. Lohse is getting the ball up, maybe? Don't throw it up? Don't cough it up? Don't FUUUUUUUUUgeddaboudit up.

Ball one low to Napoli.

Strike one plops in there. Napoli must be feeling it, but he takes a strike at the knees. He doesn't like that. Fouls the next one out of play. They are attacking pitches right now.

Check swing, change up low, 2-2.

Outside for a full count. Payoff pitch is next...how about an out?

Ground ball up the middle, base hit. Four in a row are on and "Lohse is not long for this ball game - a homer, single, and a homer, single" - Rooney

Here comes Tony to get him. Salas pitches outta the pen. Tony knows what he's doing.

David Murphy up with a man on. Salas should be able to handle this. Murphy with a swinging bunt, Yadi calls off Salas (thank god...see game 6)...one out on an accidental sacrifice.

Salas throws a nasty breaking ball for strike one called on Yorvit.

Ball two high, strike two on the outside corner, Yorvit fouls off a high one, BASE HIT TO RIGHT and it is 1st and 3rd as Napoli is held with one out...

Kinsler up...

HIGH FLY BALL TO LEFT...HOLLIDAY CATCHES IT...NAPOLI TAGS...HOLLIDAY THROWS HOME...

OUT! OUT! HOLLIDAY GUNS DOWN NAPOLI AND WE PRESERVE OUR TWO RUN LEAD...

Top of the 4th Some guy named Pujols leads off...

Fouls off the first one straight back and takes ball one low...1-1

Strike two taken on the inside corner at the belt.
Lohse wasn't getting those calls...

Next pitch way high...pitch after that is Pujols first hit of the series, a lead off single to right.

Here's MATT HOLLIDAY!

Inside, ball one, close call...

High and outside for ball two...Torrealba takes the new ball out to the mound...talks it over. Pujols and Napoli are chatting...sorta...

Here's the pitch a double play ball! Out at SECOND...Throw high, Napoli tags Holliday but he is called safe anyway. Texas fans are booing...Holliday was out...(Bad throw from Kinsler cost them)

Berkman up to CAPITALIZE!

Ball one, strike one fouled back...

Ball two a little low and some Texas fan is screaming about the strike zone. That one missed, though, bud.

Berkman shoots a solid single to right...first and second, one out...

Texas fans start booing again. They've been wronged, I suppose. Ha!

David "Hometown Hero" Freese steps to the plate with a chance to add to the Cards lead. He looks calm, cool, collected. He's seeing the ball well, let's the first one go by way out of the zone.

Ball one
Ball two
Hitter's count, Harrison scowls at the ump...

Swing and a miss on an off speed out of the zone, strike one

Foul out of play on the next pitch and it is 2-2 but Freese is un-fased [sic]

FREESE SHOOtS iT DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE! HOLLIDAY SCORES! FREESE DOUBLES! BERKMAN HOLDS AT THIRD!

Great hitting Freese. Great. So clutch.

Greg Maddux's brother to the mound to discuss pitching. Meanwhile, I'm reading Alex Van Halen's book on lead guitar playing.

Yadi Molina steps to the plate. Neck Tat takes ball one.

High, ball two, and let's go to the mound again? No. Play ball. On the ropes, guys.

They'll walk Molina to load the bases and pitch to Jon Jay, next year's everyday CFer?

Feldman is warming up his "go ahead run" pitch in the bullpen...

Jon Jay takes a big swing and a miss, strike one.

Jon Jay chops it, Napoli charges...throws home and BAD THROW! Two runs score (terrible throw). Napoli at First was a risk and here's why. There's a GRIM LOOKING NOLAN RYAN AND DUBYA! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! How will history remember the Rangers and Dubya? Loo-hoo--zerrrs.

4-0 Cardinals in the 4th.

2nd and third, one out for Theriot...

The 1-2 pitch...inside, almost hit him

Theriot is trying for the SAC FLY?

How about a base hit for THERIOT! YADI SCORES! FIIIIIIIVE nothing cardinals!

Furcal is the 8th Cardinal batter this inning...

Furcal chops it to the pitcher and this time the Rangers get the guy at home...Jay out, TWO DOWN

Here is Allen Craig who will face a new Texas pitcher...Heeeeeeeere's FELDMAN!

(Harrison lasts only 3 and two thirds; the pitching was the difference in the series)

Craig lives out in Burlingame by the San Francisco airport! I'll be there on Wednesday!

Feldman quickly throws two balls...

Feldman finally conjurs up a strike called.

Craig in Right and Berkman is DH'ing. Jay in Center.

Ball 3 low.

Craig chops to 2nd, inning over.

A big 4 run fourth puts the Cards IN CONTROL.

Can Lohse hold them?

Bottom of the 3rd of the Texas Pujols Massacre...

See what I did there? I replaced "Chainsaw" with "Pujols". Evocative.

Here's Yorvit to lead it off...

Lohse throws ball one, strike one called, ball two low and outside, stroked down the line...FOUL! Strike two.

Molina hands Torrealba his bat and he steps back in after he catches his breath (takes a minute, he though he had a triple). And Lohse gets him on a nasty change up swinging...ONE OUT

Back to the top of the order, here is Kinsler...so far so good for Lohse but will it last the second time through?

Quickly 2-0 on Kinsler...Strike one drops in at the belt.

Strike two in there. Lohse's famous 88mph fast ball.

Inside just off the corner and the count is full. Lohse labors a bit...

Lohse steps off...shakes off one sign...the 3-2 is inside and Kinsler walks...

Andrus up...move to first to keep Kinsler close. Stolen bases by Kinsler are a theme...

Another move to first and Albert doesn't even bother applying the tag...loafer...

Andrus shows bunt pulls back and takes strike one...

Lohse keeps missing inside says Shannon. He needs to get the inside of the plate...1-1

Another move to first.

Andrus sends Craig after a tough out in right...TWO OUT

Hamilton up...he rips the first one down the line foul, strike one

Inside and low for ball one...a funky pitch that doesn't quite drop in there.

Inside and MOLINA PICK OFF THROW TO FIRST! SAFE!?!?!?

That was close, just got in there. JUST. I love that play, I hope Yadi and Berkman/Craig work on it.

Inside pitch again, ball 3 on Hamilton.

Hamilton RIPS ANOTHER ONE DEEP AND FOUL. Full count.

Here's the pitch...swung on foul...do it again...

HEEEEEEEEEEERE's the pitch...LINED TO ALBERT OUT NUMBER THREEEEEEEEEEE!

Let the onslaught begin...

Top of the 3rd Game 3 of the 3rd World Series for the Cards this century (fast fact for Cubs fans)

Here's Rooney to call Theriot's at bat.

The Future Giant grounds to Kinsler who flubs it and Theriot is on to lead it off!

Furcal up who is only 1 for 8 so far this series. Matt Harrison is pitching like Matt Harrison.

Furcal fouls off the first one, second one outside and high, third one down and in, fourth one is a double play ball to Kinsler...2 out...ugh...

Here's the future. Here's Allen Craig, former California Golden Bear - he homered in the first, remember?

Craig takes strike one, second one low and off speed, third one up and away, swings and misses on a good change up, deuces wild...

And Harrison gets the inside corner, INNING OVER.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bottom of the 2nd in TEJAS

Michael Young leads it off...

Fouls it past 3rd base...

Michael Young is the poor, racist white man's Derek Jeter, according to Fox Sports.

Michael Young is still batting. Good. Keeps him from running for congress. Furcal throws him out EASILY.

Here is St. Beltre...one scary MFer if he ain't on your team.

A crowd of Sellouts down here in Arlington Texas.

Lohse throws one in the dirt. Theriot is playing him to pull...to San Francisco...

Line drive base hit to RIGHT FIELD...Beltre gets a one out single.

How will Lohse work now from the stretch?

"Is there such a thing as the same simultaneously?" Shannon

"There is now" John ROoney

Thank god I'm listening to the radio feed..apparently AJ Pierzynski is talking now on Fox

2-2 on cruz one out beltre on first


outside full count...start the runner?

walked him

Napoli up...takes a beauty for strike one...

Lohse is dialed in for now... strike two in at the knees

Lohse is from Chico

next pitch in the dirt...beltre taking a big lead down at second...

Napoli pops out to Jay? in Right?

I'll get back to you on that...means Berkman is DH and Craig is playing center, right?

And there's old man Torre...

Murphy grounds out to Albert unassisted...Judas...

TOPPS of the 2nd game 3

Freese is even at 1-1


LCS MVP ... What will he do in the WS?

2-2 on Freese...

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay high and outside, full count...

Chases one for strike 3...change up...

Neck Tattoo looking for his first world series hit...he tattoos it to Beltre...the saintly one...two away

Jon Jay the Federalist to face Matt Harrison who is 6 4 240 and lives in Durham, NC

Quicl=k=y o and tooooo on jj

A beauty on the outside corner is an automatic ball one...but then he swings and misses on the next pitch...

inning over!

Game 3 - Lohse of the 1st

What is a Lohse? A number 3 starter in the WS?

Kinsler leads it off in home whites...

Lohse throws an off speed peetch..steeerike one...

Ball one

Strike on the inside corner.. .89 mph fastball

Lohse gets Kinsler swings on an offspeeed deleivereeeeeeeeeee!

Lohse is from Chico, y'all.

McCarver is showing us how to throw a curve but nobody's listening. John and Mike are telling tall tales about Bob Gibson, the legend...

1-1 on ....2-1 on...Andrus... 3-1 on the SS

3-2...strike 3 called and Lohse has fanned the first two!!!

Hamilton is gattling...gatlin gun...2-1 on Hamilton...CRAIG HOMERED IN THE 1st!!!

Hamilton grounds to Albert... 3up and 3down...

Game 3 - Top O' the First GO CARDS!

There is the sweet voice of John Rooney telling us how much Matt Harrison weighs and that he lives in North Carolina.

Big league record of 30 up and 19 down. A fawn in the field. A little Bambi...

"They wouldn't mind having to go back to St. Louis for Game 6" Rooney says

Just about set to go...Catcher throws to 2nd... 81 degrees at game time. Dirk Nowitzki threw out the first pitch...

Rafael Furcal, right handed, bats first...

THERE'S MIKE...

Furcal's heart is beating fast...first pitch is a fastball strike one...

Craig is in the line up...as DH...HELL YEAH!

Furcal grounds out to NAPOLI? AT FIRST? one out...

Here is Allen Craig...and here are the two Allen Craig highlights from game one and two...

"There are deep for Craig" - Mike Shannon

Strike one...

Craig homers in the 1st!!! HELL YEAH! "Just sneaked into the corner" - Mike "I hate irregular verbs" Shannon...

First pitch to Judas...outside strike one...

Judas takes strike two looking

Judas grounds out to Beltre (St. Viator) at 3rd.

Here is Matt Holliday with two out.

Fastball low outside, ball one

Theriot puts his arm around Craig and Craig rolls his eyes...

Another for Holliday and the count goes 2-1

Holliday singles to right!

Allen Craig made the same swing in Games 1 & 2, but his wing in Game 3 was a bit different...it was a MER FIN HR!!!

Berkman bats...Freese on deck

Matt Harrison has Berkman on the ropes!

Berkman swings and fouls it back...

Berkman shoots a fly ball to Hamilton in center and the Cards lead on Craig's HR 1-0

Game 3 From Arlington -

I've been reading the Buddy Holly wikipedia entry and listening to John Fahey. Now here is Joe buck and Tim McCarver and they look drunk and stupid. I'm gonna try and get the Shannon/Rooney KMOX audio for this one...Big things happen in this game...Like Alexi Ogando gets face surgery. This is sick. I played baseball today and that was sick. Jesse Rimler kicks ass. Willie Nelson is singing "City Of New Orleans" in place of the national anthem...and now here is Mike and John...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Bottom of the 9th Game 2, see you in Arlington, Babe and Reggie...

Replays show that the Game 2 loss is all Albert Pujols' fault.


Yadi leads it off...ball one from Neftali (No Cerrado) Feliz

Feliz can't find the strike zone.

three and oh.

Takes strike one.

Leadoff walk to Molina, handed out by Feliz.

I like where this is going. Do you pinch run Theriot? No, Gerald Laird.

Punto batting, will obviously bunt. Only Theriot left on the bench.

Punto bunts in the air back to the backstop.

Punto bunts foul for strike two. This sucks. Oquendo is giving the signs, but to what end?

Punto strikes out on a 99 mph fastball.

Here is Schumacker...oy vey...

Fouls off strike one...

way high a ball and a strike

1-1 inside at 98 is ball two

McCarver says some shit...and Schumacker swings and misses 2-2

Skip strikes out swinging so now it is up to Rafael Furcal.

Furcal in the hole oh and two

Ball one outside...

Pitcher of record is Motte (loss)

Furcal calls time, Feliz makes dumbass cocky face.

Inside 2-2 .

Furcal flies out to right, Cruz catches it in right...

and this series is tied at a game apiece...

Game 3 up next...stay tuned... ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, Cubs fans.

Top of the 9th = Ranger Danger

18th WS games for the Cardinals franchise... 107th postseason game...

Motte works Kinsler 0-2 with the quickness... and just as quick it is 2-2...


Kinsler flares a base hit between Holliday and Furcal...the Cards' Achilles heel if there is ever a spot on the field...

Tying run on..with no one out...and here is where Tony feels he lost the game. The coaches are timing Motte's delivery to the plate... 1.2 or 1.4? Steal or out? Pick off play to first.

1-0 on Andrus and there's a strike ... 1-1

Arthur Rhodes loosening for the Cards.

THERE GOES KINSLER...HUGE JUMP>>>Yadi makes a brilliant throw but Kinlser is in there by a horse's mane...

Molina did what he could, Mottte's time to the plate was too long...And the game is essentially over. Texas wins.


Andrus fouls off and it is still 1-2.


SO much going on right now, even though the cards have conceded the key runner. THis is where the game is like Chess. It will happen again. Playng to a stale mate.

Andrus base hit to Center. Knsler is held at 3rd, but Pujols tips the ball and Andrus takes second...should be an error on Pujols (he lost this game too, along with LaRussa)

Nobody out, 2nd and 3rd. This is how you win a close game.

Here is Hamilton. All you really need is 2 sac flies...

LaRussa is gonna go to Rhodes for the matchup...a dumb move according to LaRussa haters...lets talk again after Game 7.

Hamilton rips one into right that will tie the ballgame...runners move up...

1-1 on a sac fly by Hamilton. Andrus makes third ahead of a great throw from right. Pujols allowing Andrus to get to second looms large now.

Lance Lynn against Michael young.

First pitch ball one down and away. The next two pitches are balls too. A 3-0 slider for a strike...

Young fouls it off for a full count...

Young flies out to center and the Rangers go up 2=1.

Young delivers with an out.

Rangers lead 2-1, their first lead of the world series.

Neftali Feliz gets loose for Molina, Punto and Schumaker...

Beltre grounds out to Descalso at 3rd. HORRIBLE INNING OVER

Bottom o' the 8th

Pitching and batting 9th is Mike Adams

Jon Jay flies out to centter (one pitch one out)

Replay of Craig's hit.

Here is Pujols. You broke my heart, my baseball heart. I'll get over it when STL wins a championship again.

Pujols slashes the second pitch down the line. 1-1

Mantle hit his final WS home run off of Bob Gibson (3 run shot) in the '64 series.

The 1-1 is launched and Nelson Cruz catches this one at the fence.

TWO OUT...Pujols will do alot of that in the thick air of Anaheim.



Berkman up, Allen Craig wearing a sweatshirt? What's wrong with that picture. He's our 1B of the future...

Berkman fouls the 2-1 away...2-2

Berkman singles past Kinsler...goes under his glove...

One on, two out for Holliday...

Holliday works the 2-0. This is a terribly close game...

Takes a ball called a strike on the inside corner, 2-1

Strike two was a good pitch.

Mike Adams throws ball 3 for a full count.

Payoff pitch...

Berkman runs on ball four. 1st and 2nd two out...

Here comes Greg's brother again to give the Descalso scouting report.

Mike Adams does a little fakeout pickoffdance...

And strike one on a big descalso swing.

Descalso grounds out to Kinsler on the right side...out 3 that sets it up for the Ninth...here comes Motteeeeee....

Top of the 8th

Descalso takes over at 3rd

Salas works Napoli to 1-2

Salas makes Napoli look foolish...He got away with one, McCarver says, but maybe Cards pitchers shoulda got away with more? It was nice to see Napoli strike out there. He was one strike away from being WS MVP...

Here is Rzepczyinski...Scrabble

Dotel getting loose. Beltre bats.
Fastbal fouled off the end of the bat.

Strike 2 on the swing. And this is Torrealba actually. McCarver sounds drunk when he says Rzepczynksi. Future starter, former Blue Jay, gets Torrealba, two out.

Fausto Carmona is no more. His name is Juan Carlos HEredia. Fausto is a fucking awesome name. I am so disappointed.

Tonay La Russay is os dizope.

Groundball to first. 34 has been hue. 1-0 bottom of the 8th.

Bottom of the 7th

Holliday leads it off. Lewis throws him ball one that somehow gets him off the plate.

Next pitch is a called strike on the outside corner.
Mattswings and misses on a breaking all low.

Oganddo getting loose in case AllenbCraig comes up and the rangers need to give up a hit.

Holliday gets a piece of it but Napoli hangs on. SO one out...Catchers are so key.

Freese singles to center, has extended his hit streak to 12 straight games (since Game 2 in Phillly)

Molina drives it deep but catches Molina's fly to deep left.

Here's Punto. Pitcher's spot next? Punto has only hit One HR all year...STRIKE ONE

Lewis throws strike 2 looking to Punto, Allen Craig in the on deck circle.

Punto singles off of Young's glove at first...first and third and now Allen Craig is coming up!

Bring on Ogando, Wash! (For the second night in a row it will be Craig vs. Ogando with the game on the line. And I thought this was it.)

REMATCH

First pitch: fouled off to the right side

Second pitch: SINGLES TO RIGHT. CRAIG HAS DONE IT AGAIN! FREESE SCORES! 1-0 cards in the 7th!

Same pitch! Same one as last night. Craig hit it better tonight.

Are you kidding me?

Ogando missed his spot and now it is Furcal.

Nasty pitch down and in gets Furcal to 1-2

Furcal pulls it foul, and McGwire gets a little credit for Craig's success...You hear that, BBWAA?

Outside 2-2

Furcal chops it to Beltre and Punto goes out of the baseline...inning over...let's finish this game...

Washington hangs his head...

Friday, January 20, 2012

Top of the 7th

Garcia still out there. I forgot how good he was. Looking forward to Carpenter, Wainwright, Garcia next year. That will go deep in the post season.

Garcia strikes out Hamilton (his 7th K!) He was great in this game. Tony lost this one...


Michael Young steps in. Hamilton is looking forward to warmer weather in Texas, Tim McCarver says.

Young grounds out to Punto. 2 out.

Now Adrian Beltre. Strike one.

Hard hit. Base hit. Under the glove of Furcal. JAY makes a nice play to hold it to a single.

Lance Lynn gets Loose and Loopy Leaders lean left!

Garcia trying to pitch around a two out single. Ball two to Cruz.

Napoli on deck.

Molina is gonna go out and talk to Garcia.

Dave Duncan and Tony LaRussa are still managing this team. Damn they were good.

Cruz flies to Berkman in Right and Garcia has pitched 7 shutout innings...

Bottom of the 6th

Jon Jay is 0-2

Ogando is warming in the 'pen

Jay takes the 0-2 just inside, ball one.

Jay into right center, Gentry tracks it down with a good jump ONE OUT

Here is the 0 fer 2 Pujols coming to the plate.

2-1...haven't been typing, watching the greatest player of my lifetime hit.

Fouls it down the 3B line... 2-2 (enjoy Angels fans. You are all assholes.)

Lewis got in on him and Albert grounds out to Beltre at 3rd. He is human.

Berkman is working Lewis...2-2 on the Puma.

Berkman strikes out on a questionable swing call...

six scoreless in game 2

Top of the 6th - P vs. P

so the tables are turned...

Lewis leads it off versus Garica...strike one!

Strike two called.

Strike 3 swinging...but all we really talked about was Elvis' defense. How about a little less conversation Joe and Tim?

Here's Kinsler. And he takes a strike like a Nancy.

And then fouls a high fastball in on the hands back and out of play.

A base hit past Freese, who is decidedly no Rolen at 3rd.

Elvis grounds into a DP that looks pretty, 6-4-3 Furcal-Punto-Pujols...

bottom of the 5th...

Freese leads off and works itt 2-0...

Then they show his little league photos from STL...

Then he gets under one and skies it to left,

He just got under it.

Here is Molina who fouls it away strike one.

Freese is 28 in this WS. He just missed on that flyout. Colby Lewis can be nasty.

As shown by his strike two painted on the corner at the knees (McCarver)

Molina grounds out to Kinsler, two out...

Lotsa 0-fers for the cards...so far the FUrcal hit is it...the Berkman hit was ruled an error.

In at the knees strike one on Punto...3 times in 10 years in the World Series, 04, 06, 11 (2 for 3)

Base hit for punto to right..second cards hit of the night which brings Garcia to the plate.

Garcia can hit because he takes big league rips and fouls it off...

AND he can work a full count!

Payoff pitch...(15 HRs hit by pitchers in WS history...stays that way after '11 in my recollection)

Let's read Mark Twain's Autobiography while we wait for Colby Lewis to walk Garcia...

WALK

And now, an appearance from the Maddux family...is that Greg? No? Mike? nevermind...

Here's Furcal with two on and two out...

Furcal fouls the 1-0 off down the line.

I'm glad he's coming back.

Dave McKay, currrent Cub, gives adive at first.

Andrus makes a great play in the hole and saves a run.

End of inning after an "Unbelievable play by Elvis!"

Scoreless after 5.

Top of the Fifth...Sailing along...

Garcia works the count full on Cruz and then strikes him out so foolishly, Cruz throws his bat into the stands. Cruz is a WS choker.

Then the next guy flies out to Berkman in right with a stutter step.

Then Garcia strikes out Napoli.

Quick inning. Cards looking good. The bottom of the inning should be the Cards breakout...

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Bottom the Figgidy Fourth (that last half was preeeeeeeety pretty pretty good)

Some overpaid veteran takes strike one and then lines out to another overpaid veteran at third...one out in the bottom of the 4th.

Berkman works an INFIELD SINGLE! WHAT!?!?!?

Kinsler can't handle it!

Here is Matt Holliday...I wonder if he will ever be an angel?

Or an American Idol?

COlby LEwis throws a deep slider. That's gross. Strike one and then two...

FREESE ON DECK

Andrus and kinsler turn a beautiful double play that literally made Joe Buck ejaculate...phrases of vigor!

GOOD NICHT ACHTUNG

Go Fourth and watch the next 3 scoreless innings...DRAMA!

The lady is out with another dude's lady grabbin' a cocktail...a perfect opportunity to be a total fucking dork. YES!

I do this well...

First up...Some dude who plays for Texas...(OK, I'm not actually watching yet. I'm listening to Johnny Cash break his rusty cage and the wee bairn kinda wake up a little bit...shhhhhhhh...) OK, i can pause Sonic Youth's Carpenter's cover (Which is so much better than the original)

OK, I'll listen to it, but then I swear, I will watch the top of the Fourth of Game 2 of the Greatest World Series of all time. This game was a semi-low point (not as bad as game 5)

All life is suffering...David Eckstein said that.

So it's Ian Kinsler up. And Chris Carpenter is talking about how great it was he didn't get stepped on in Game 1 when he dove into the base. Why didn't the runner step on his hand? A classic image from this World Series (and why didn't Charlie Manuel Just let the Braves win? Conspiracy?)

Carpenter talks about how he loves to induce ground balls.

Kinsler is somehow on first. I was mesmerized by Carp's groundball rates.

Andrus has a 1-1 count and Joe Buck has informed me that Kinsler walked.

Garcia is tough to bunt against. Kinsler is timing EVERYTHING. Stay tuned to this...

Molina behind the plate. 1-2. What is Kinsler thinking?

No one scouted the Cards at the end of the season.

2-2 on Andrus. And just how fast is Garcia to the plate? 1.2? 1.4? Steal on?

Andrus flies to Berkman who covers RF beautifully. He says 1B would be harder on his knees...Uh-OH 2012...

Garcia throws ball one to Josh Hamilton who has not been able to avoid being talked about by announcers who talk about what he has not been able to do because he has a sports hernia from a leftover crack deposit (grooooan...I went there as hamilton flipped it into left and the glove off...is that Allen Craig? No. Not yet. That was Holliday)

2 outs

And some Texas doucher is batting...o rite it b mike yng...wut wut

Slow it down, Jaime, so Joe Buck can talk about how these gus were o for 16...

Damn, Michael Young singles and now it is first and third wit h2 out...Jay plays it on the hop...the right thing to do, Jay.

And now Adrian Beltre will somehow blow this clutch chance.

He wacks a laser just foul down the 3rd base line that gets Kinsler on the shoulder in foul territory. Kinsler brushes it off his shoulder and Fox shows the replay of that from different angles. Do you think Kinsler has a hot dumb girlfriend?

Beltre 2-1 is ball 3 and Joe reminds us that Clutchdaddy Nelson Cruz is on deck.

So Garcia throws a swinging strike and Beltre just can't keep his head in there.

And Garcia srikes him out on the 3-2. That was beautiful. Beltre has that look and the bat boys are coming out to the batter's box to collect his things. YA BEEEEEEEEEEEYOOOOOOOO!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Game 2 - Bottom o' the Third

Punto leads it off, the former Twin - A younger Gardenhire...Punto a MGR someday?

2-1 on Punto...shit will come to a head here...ball 3 JUST in

Punto grounds the 3-1 to second...ONE OUT

ANd here is Greg Maddux's brother talking about pitching. Whatever. Let's talk to Keith Richard's brother about playing guitar or taking heroin...Or like, Bill Clinton's brother about scoring with chicks...

Sorry..that was bad, but the pitcher is up. 1-2 he's about to SO...NO! He didn't go...2-2...and then Jaime takes a big cut and fouls it off...

Garcia makes Hamilton chase one down...two out...

Here's Furcal. No hits yet.

Furcal takes a nasty breaking ball for a strike...and now a ball...1-1

FIRST HIT OF THE GAME! Furcal doubles down the first base line. I love this guy!

Nice rip, Rafael.

Here's Jon Jay.

THERE'S DUNCAN! THE GROUND BALL PROPHET!

Speaking of ground balls, Jay grounds out to first...INNING OVER!

GOod night.

Game 2 -Top of the 3rd THERE's THE ARCH!

They waited till the 3rd to show the arch. Saarinen magic!

1-1 on Napoli.

Bounces in ball two. I went up in the Arch with my Granny when they had a weird elevater to the top.

Hard hit, RIGHT AT FREESE! ONE OUT!

Craig Gentry, the other David Murphy, steps up.

Ball one...Ball two...Ball three...

Come on Jaime...strike on the inside corner...

3-1...Gentry taps to Fresse, TWO OUT!

Pitcher comin' up...let's talk about St. Louis!

The ARCH is the tallest man made structure qualified by something...

And more bbq sauce is consumed in St. Louis than anywhere! WOOT!

Ground out to Furcal!

AND THERE's THE CLYDESDALES!

To the bottom of the 3rd...

Game 2 - Bottom of the 2nd

Berkman leads off..not Berman...

Strike one looking, strike two foul...

Berkman from the left side is pretty...fouls it out of play down the left field line.

Lance. Fucking. Berkman.

Out in front, hooks another one foul. He's swinging like a teenager. HE LOVES THIS GAME!

Holliday on deck.

Rips another foul down the first base line.

"He's a funny man" - Tim

"He nicknamed himself big puma" - Joe

I nicknamed myself Hambone.

Colby throws a good nasty pitch down and in and Big Hambone Puma Jughead goes down swinging.

Holliday steps in hitting .407 since the start of the LCS...

Takes ball one. And ball two..."ball in" the ump can be heard saying...and he walks on four straight...

HOLLIDAY IS GAME 2's first baserunner.

And here comes the hometown hero, from Wildwood...the prodigal son, come home to his destiny. HE was frat boy at Mizzou! Not playing baseball! HE was almost a JOURNALIST! He flies out to center on the first pitch. Will he ever get a clutch hit this world series?

Yadi up. He didn't come to Winter Warm Up. Cards Nation is worried he wants to become an angel too. Gross.

1-1 on Yadi.

Strike 2 on the outside corner. Holliday takes a lead off first.

The Neck tattoos are new for 2011 according to Joe Buck. Those neck Tattoos may have made all the difference in 2011. THey are musical notes as a tribute to his late father. The catcher breeder.

Throw to first, Holliday back...DAVE MCKAY SIGHTING (He's a shitty Cub now)

Molina chases up and away, Holliday stranded...INNING OVER

Game 2 - Top o' the Second

Garcia back to work, strike one to Young called

Strike 2 called...Garcia goes on these runs when he is DEALING.

(Then it falls apart...around the 4th?)

Ball one.

Young spoils ball 2, 1-2.

Strikes out swinging on a cutter up!

Here's Beltre...

Strike one looking, Jaime looking good.

Strike two swinging (big Beltre cut with his head looking into the 3rd base stands)

STRIKE THREE SWINGING ON A CHANGE UP NASTY! two out

With two out Nelson Cruz is up (the quiet assassin...)

Works it 2-0

Hitters count...

Strike one looking, down the middle

Napoli on deck.

Nelson Cruz hammers strike two out of the park...FOUL

2-2

Yadi calls it...up and in...full count...I LOVE A FULL COUNT

Here it is...broke his bat...pops out to Punto at 2nd...

A Beautiful inning, Jaime

Game 2 - Bottom of the First

Furcal to face Lewis.

I like Lewis (in hindsight). Josh Brolin should play him in the movie.

Furcal will be played by Furcal. One of a kind. Such energy. Tries a Ty Cobb hit on the first pitch but fouls it off. After a couple more pitches he flies out to center.

The Federalist, Jon Jay, steps to the plate. Used to be #15. Now wears #19. I think he should keep that and make it his own. Albert Pujols, still a Cardinal, on deck.

Jay lays down a beautiful bunt that doesn't go foul for 87 feet (thanks for the measurement, Tim).

1-2 to Jay...fouled away...

Next one skips in there to even the count.

Jay grounds out to Michael Young at 1st. 2 away...and now here's the Colby Lewis travel map...Hiroshima! Back to Texas after that...really?

Here's Albert, former great baseball player...We'll see...

Albert flies out to right center...END OF INNING (each pitcher a perfect first)

Game 2 - Top o' the 1st "Live" from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

PLAY BALL!

This one will be a nailbiter for sure...

"Power c-an be mesmerizing" - Tim McCarver

"It is not as cold as last night" Joe Buck

Jaime Garcia vs. Colby Lewis

There's the Slo-Mo Clydesdales! Where's the damn arch dammit?

Jaime Garcia looks kinda like Joel Pineiro...who just signed a minor league contract with Philadelphia - Where's Dave Duncan when you need him? In the dugout for this game...not for the 2012 season. That man will be missed in Cardinal Nation.

The umps are all white guys.

Ian Kinsler, also a white guy, leads it off. He will factor hugely later...stay tuned.

First pitch in there for a strike. Garcia has a beautiful lefty delivery.. Grounder to Furcal who charges picks it up and throws all in one fluid motion. I'm gonna love that for another season.

THis is a team, dangit. Jaime Garcia is the second Mexican born pitcher to start a WS game...the first? FERNANDO!

Dodgers beat the Yanks in '81.

Garcia deals strike on to Andrus (called) after ball one.

Albert, an absolutely gorgeous ball player, takes it himself. Two out.

I'll miss you Albert. But your baseball career is now dead to me. Appropriately enough, you are now an angel. Gross.

Josh Hamilton digs in with two out and nobody on. Good stuff.

2-1 after a funky lookin' swing from an obviously injured J-Ham.

Garcia breaks Hamilton's bat, a little floater to Freese - over to first...inning over.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Motte in the 9th, Game 1

Motte fires strike one...

And gets a comebacker from Young...ONE OUT!

And BELTRE DOES THE FOUL BALL OFF HIS FOOT! OUT 2 OUT!

Show the FOX Heat Cam! Show it!

You are still out!

Beltre and Wash out to protest...here is the hot spot...that ball nicked him...

Here is Nelson Cruz with two out...

1-1 fouls the second pitch off...a nasty inside pitch...

Ball 2 outside

Strike 2 away from Cruz, swinging...

OUTSIDE!?!?! full count...

3-2 pitch, Napoli on deck...Fouled back...just...missed, Nelly...gonna do that again this series?

Nellie hangs one up to Holliday and "THAT'S A WINNER!" - Jack not Joe


And the Cardinals win Game 1, 3-2...now on to the hard part..watching and blogging Game 2...Game 3 shall be my reward...So long for just awhile...

Dotel on for the 8th...

He takes care of Kinsler with a comebacker...he threw two sliders to start it...ONE OUT...

Here is Elvis Andrus...do no harm, Elvis...

Strike one from Dotel...

Strike two from Dotel...

Strike THREE...DOTEL WAS SO NASTY THIS POSTSEASON! Gonna miss that, too...but see, I have the DVDs and that is what we are watching right now.

Here comes Arthur Rhodes into his FIRST WORLD SERIES! His first opponent...Hosh Jamilton...Joe Buck said that. Arthur Rhodes lost a 5 year old son. Tragedy is everywhere people. Tim Tebow is not special.

Does a player like Rhodes or Bengie Molina get both a WS share from the winner and the loser? That seems unfair...

Rhodes has worked the count full on Hamilton...this is still a one run game...this is huge...

Hamilton hits it one handed into center...And he cards 'pen does it again...

Inning OVER!

Bottom of the 8th.

Berkman to lead off. He's still got it.

Berkman tests Kinsler...and THERE's THE ARCH AGAIN (Sighting #2? That's it?)...AND BERKMAN can still dig out an infield hit!!!

Descalso, our 2Bman next season...

bunts Berkman over...it is perfect. These are guys who can execute, when properly managed.

Heeeeeeeere's YADI!

Fouls away strike one...takes ball two...

Broken bat ground out moves Berkman to 3rd...

Punto up with 2 down...Motte warming in the 'pen to face Young, Beltre and Cruz...

Strike one swinging on Punto on a wicked slider...Feldman still in there...big run at 3rd with 2 out...

Feldman works from the windup...high ball one...

Punto Rakes it FOUL down the line...strike two...

inside 2-2...slowing down...

ball 3

Schumacker on deck...

Punto strikes out looking...good work by Feldman...


ON TO THE NINTH!

7th Inning...Cards up 3-2

Salas to face Beltre Cruz and Napoli...

It is only game 1 after all. Beltre has taken "two grown men swings" - thanks McCarver...I spend saturdays giving a little girl swings. But I am a grown man. Even though I don't make millions clubbing the ball recklessly like Adrian Beltre. Pujols has never succumbed to the recklessness belttre exhibits...I will miss that...Beltre grounds out to Punto. One out.

A strength for each side - the bullpen. But not the bullpen phone.

Good night, Tony. It's been a great ride.

OOh wait...it's only game one. And he tying run is on with one out in the seventh. Cruz singles to center. And here's the replay of Nellie Cruz missing Craig's go-ahead single....

ROAR! Says Craig at firs base. ROAR! I am a golden bear god!

I live in Berkeley. Rzezpcynski gets loose...Did I spell that right on the first try?

Salas deals to Napoli and they show his 2 run jack from back in the fifth. Napli kinda looks like Tebow. Only he plays a grown man sport.

Grown ass man.

Salas goes 3-0 on Napoli, and I'm like what? We had a great bullpen in the playoffs?
Walked him.

LaRussa is thinking...he takes his glasses off...Scrabble on to face Gentry...Rzezpcynski...Damn, I'm good...

Zep looks like a Kid in the Hall...Toronto will do that to you, COlby.

Over but low. Ball one. Dotel up. That guy is great. I will miss him, too.

Scrabble looks Nellie Cruz back. He's got great posture.

Strike one. Great mechanics.

Scrabble strikes Gentry out looking. It's been Rzepczynski this whole time. Rzepczynski! WTF. The Poles live a hardSCRABBLE life.

It's not Torrealba, Texas fans. It is ESTEBAN GERMAN! LOOK OUT!

The cards have one more reliever than the Rangers. His name is Arthur Jason Mark Octavio Fernando Lance.

Scrabble works him 0=2... Busch to it's feet!

STRIKE OUT?
STRIKE OUT!!!! Inning over. Scrabble K's two...and K is a 10 point tile. Time to stretch in Game One.


Bottom of the 7th.

Hamilton moves from Center to Left.

Mike Gonzalez on...shaking his head like a Buster. With that wind up, he could be injured on any pitch...any pitch now...Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are playing SCRABBLE. Tim McCarver didn't know Strike had 6 letters...K is 10 pt tile...

Feldman coming on. Future journeyman. He gives up the key hits!

He's been outstanding so far this postseason, says Joe Buck

He faces Pujols. See you next year out west, Albert! You and Feldman will break bread...or matzo...together. Point to the sky, men!

Feldman works Albert 0-2. He's got good stuff...Then throws 3 straight where Albert is like, "I'm too smart for those." And he is.. Will miss that pitch selection. Squares up on one to Center...Gentry slips...but recovers for out #2...

Here's Matt Holliday...the face of the franchise...

It is starting to Mist in Beautiful St. Louis...breathe deeply, roll river...smell that Big Muddy...

0-2 on Holliday...Feldman looks nasty. Feldman bounces the 0-2.

A waste pitch. Holliday didn't bite.

The one two nibbles...outside...even count 2-2

Holliday floats one to Kinser and the inning is over..

Monday, January 2, 2012

Game 1 - The Pivotal 6th Inning

One inning tonight. Our friend is hanging on. Things are looking up. Miracles can happen. I want to fast forward to the happy ending, but I shouldn't. That is not why we have signed up for the seven DVD set...actually - eight - we want the bonus material...but first, these games gotta be close. It wouldn't be any fun without the drama...

TOP O' the SIXTH (what crazy shit will Joe Buck and Tim McCarver say?_

Kinsler flares one to right on a 1-1 count. McCarver whatns to slow it down. He is a SILVER FOX! HOW DOES HE DO IT! HE IS THE RHIANNA BRAUN OF color commentating! I don't wan the holidays to end.

Carp playoff beard.

Andrus sacrifice bunts are good ones, Kinsler to second ONE OUT

J HAM SPAM A LAMB A LAMB NAM DAM DAMN SPAM VIETNAM!


bole one.

CRUSHED LIGHTLY INTO CENTER...Kinsler tags...TWO OUTS RUNNER AT THIRD

Michael Old Gold English 800 Young has a 2 out RBI Chance. Again. lets go texas...blah blah blah blah...we choked again blaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Good pitch in on the hands strike two. BUSCH III ERUPTS, CALLING FOR THE BLOOD OF THE STRIEK OUT.

Pujols makes the kind of beautiful play, robbing a double, that I am gonna miss. All around player. Special. INNING OVER

Berkan leads off the bottom of the 6th. Takes ball one, takes strike one...

Berkman argues the swing, foul tip call...that was a ball!!! strike?

1-2 on Berkman and now 2-2

Goat Freese on deck

Flaired into Kinsler's glove. One out.

Here comes he goat..I'm craving some toasted ravioli.

McCarver says Texas pitchers are underrated. They remain so to this day.

Freese fights one off, strike two...

Freese flies one to right, NELSON CRUZ GLIDES BACK...

FREESE SPLITS THE GAP...man on 2nd, one out...

YADI YADI YADI

Action starts in the bullpen (an over ARCH ing theme -thx jwtp)

Molina fouls away strike one...that's the POINT on deck...

CJ Wilson leads a purpose driven life I am sure.

Another patented Yadi Molina foul ball. Joe Buck mentions that Mark Lowe is a righthander in Washington's bullpen. Wonder if he gets into any of these games?

BALL SKIPS AWAY FREESE TO 3rd!

Molina has a real RBI chance on 1-2, racehorse outta the mule...

fouled off by that stubborn field captain...and again a foul..still 1-2. Who is that on deck?
Punto.

Molina strikes out, chasing some high heat. Some really high heat...that's the chink in his armor.

Punto up, Carpenter on deck...who would hit for Carp?

Ball 1 to Punto. Ball 2 nicely blocked by Napoli. Ball 3. UH-OH TEJAX!

BALL FOUR LOOKING! Carp is knocked out... ALLEN CRAIG will come off the BENCH AND HIT FOR ST LOUIS.

Wash is gonna pull CJ. I can feel it. He's gonna be an Angel next year. Wash knows it.

Jennie-O wants to remind you to switch to Turkey, boozy.

Ogando to face ALLEN CRAIG.

Ball one outside 97.

Wilson goes 5.2

CRAIG TAKES A MIGHTY SWING! WHIFF!

91

Salas warms

Chased it up, 97 strike 2...OGANDO LOOKS NASTY.

Here we go...THAT IS INTO RIGHT
CRUZ...WILL...DROP IT!

Allen Craig delivers off the bench in the 6th. That just may be the game. Some bullpen work to watch though. But not tonight.

Hit Cruz's foot. A bad break but a good break for the Rangers? Really, Tim?

Here's Furcal, Strike one from Ogando

Wash is awesome. He deserves a ring.

Furcal launches one to the track but NELSON CRUZ TRACKS IT DOWN>>>

INNING OVER