Thursday, June 6, 2013 - At Busch Stadium III: The Cardinals were hoping Shelby Miller could restore order against an Arizona Diamondbacks lineup that had mauled St Louis pitching for 17 runs in the first two games of the series - both Cardinal losses.
Mission accomplished. Miller even hit his first career home run - one of five the Cardinals would blast in the first five innings - scoring a dozen runs. Good enough for a not-so-comfortable 12-8 win over those pesky D-Backs.
This game began inauspiciously for Miller and the Cards when Arizona used three first-inning hits to score two runs - but that lead was short-lived.
Matt Holiday's two-run first-inning home run (9) tied the score, as Miller recovered from his shaky start to slam the door on Arizona over the next five innings - recording nine strikeouts along the way.
In the meantime, the Cardinals clobbered D-Backs starter Ian Kennedy (3-4) for eight runs in the fourth-inning - featuring a three-run Matt Adams home run (4) and a two-run shot by Daniel Descalso (3) - to build a 10-2 lead.
The fun continued in the fifth-inning with a new pitcher on the hill for Arizona - Matt Reynolds - who had the distinction of serving up Shelby Miller's first career home run - which also happened to be the only home run a St Louis pitcher would hit all season. The team ranked 13th in the NL with 125.
Matt Carpenter followed Miller's act with a home run of his own (5), to give the Redbirds an insurmountable 12-2 lead - and put the crowd of 43,798 in a state of delirium. After a jovial Shelby (7-3) retired the side in the sixth-inning with that ten-run lead intact, he was given the rest of the night off.
Arizona, however, was still working - no doubt happy to see someone other than Miller on the mound. In the seventh-inning, Seth Maness managed to retire just one D-Back hitter in a three-run uprising - forcing manager Mike Matheny to bring in Kevin Siegrist to get the final two outs.
After working a scoreless eighth-inning, Siegrist - who struck out four batters in his 1.2 innings pitched - was also given the rest of the night off, with the Cardinals comfortably ahead, 12-5.
Keith Butler started the ninth-inning for St Louis, but - like Maness - only recorded one out in another three-run Arizona uprising. Edward Mujica got the final two outs for a relatively easy save (18) - but it was a save, nonetheless, as St Louis (39-21) maintained its spot on the top of the NL Central.
The two teams combined for twenty runs on thirty hits - 17 from the Cardinals - who also had the only home runs hit in this game.
The five home runs were the most St Louis would hit in a single game all season. They did it twice in 2012 - on May 7 at Arizona (Furcal, Beltran, Holliday, Craig, Freese) - and again on July 27 at Wrigley Field (Holliday, Craig, Berkman, Molina, Carpenter).
Finally, Ian Kennedy was used to the abuse St Louis dished out on him in tonight's game. In an April 13, 2011 game against the Redbirds, he gave up nine runs in a three inning disaster. But at least he kept it under ten runs.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 5, 1979 - A Unique Walk-Off Winner for the Cardinals
Tuesday, June 5, 1979 - At Busch Stadium II: Heading into this game with the San Francisco Giants, the Cardinals had been hot - winning five straight - on their way to a brief visit atop the NL East. A ninth-inning 5-4 walk-off win tonight extended their winning streak to six - but the manner in which the winning run crossed the plate - much to the delight of 25,561 fans - wouldn't happen again for St Louis until September 13, 2013.
Silvio Martinez started this one for the Cardinals - Vida Blue for the Giants - neither figured in the decision, as both would be removed after allowing four runs - Blue after six innings, Martinez after seven.
Ted Simmons got the Redbirds on the board first, leading-off the second-inning with a rising line-drive home run down the left field line that barely had enough altitude to clear the wall; although it had plenty of velocity. Simmons, whose previous high-water mark for home runs was 22 in 152 games in '78, announced before the '79 season that he would hit over 30 home runs - and he was well on his way until a broken hand ended his season after 123 games - with 26 home runs and 87 RBI.
Meanwhile, the Giants quickly took the lead in the third-inning. With two out, the speedy Bill North singled, and with Larry Herndon batting, stole second, then third. Martinez, probably a bit rattled, walked the equally speedy Herndon. With Jack Clark batting, Herndon stole second - and on an errant throw from Simmons - North was able to score the tying run. Clark promptly doubled in Herndon, giving San Francisco its first lead of the night - 2-1.
The Giants tacked on another run in the fourth-inning with a Bill Madlock solo home run - 3-1.
The Cardinals got that run back in their half of the fourth, with a little help from the Giants' defense. Simmons led-off with a single, then George Hendrick's potential double-play grounder was booted by Madlock - playing second base tonight. When the next batter - Tony Scott - actually did hit into a 6-4-3 double play, Simmons took third, then scored an unearned run when Ken Reitz doubled him home.
The Giants immediately responded in the the fifth, as Vida Blue - a terrible hitter even for a pitcher - grounded one up the middle, which glanced off the glove of Martinez for a rare hit. North's single put runners on first and second, then Herndon's bunt single loaded the bases. Just like that. Clark scored Blue from third on a force out at second.
San Francisco was up by two - with runners on the corners - and the ever-dangerous Willie McCovey now batting. His fly ball to right field wasn't particularly deep, but North decided to test Hendrick's arm, which was strong enough to nail him at the plate - for an inning-ending double play.
Blue managed to keep the Cardinals scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, but ran into trouble in the seventh, when Roger Freed - pinch hitting for Martinez - walked. Lou Brock, originally given the night off, was pinch running now. He stopped at third after Garry Templeton poked a double down the right field line. With that, Blue's night was over, as Gary LaVelle was brought in to face Jerry Mumphrey - who delivered a game-tying two-run double down the left field line. That was all, for now.
After Buddy Schultz pitched a scoreless eighth-inning for St Louis, LaVelle matched him in the bottom half.
The ninth-inning was fascinating. Mark Littell was now pitching for the Cardinals, and immediately found himself in a first-and-third-nobody-out situation, following a walk to Terry Whitfield and his own botched fielding play on a Mike Sadek sacrifice bunt.
Former-Cardinal cast-off Hector Cruz then grounded one to Templeton who got the force out to Mike Tyson at second - but Tyson saw the runner at third had strayed too far away from the bag, so quickly fired a strike to Oberkfell (who replaced Reitz as a pinch runner in the eighth-inning). Meanwhile, the panicked Whitfield decided to head towards home plate. Oberkfell quickly tossed the ball to Simmons, who applied the tag - completing an unorthodox 6-4-5-2 double play. Cruz reached second on the play, but it didn't matter as Littell retired Herndon to end the threat. Still all tied up, 4-4.
Randy Moffitt was the new pitcher for the Giants - Mike Sadek the new catcher - as Mumphrey began the bottom of the ninth with a slicing triple into the right field corner. It would be the only time swinging the bat was necessary to walk this one off. Hernandez and Simmons were intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing George Hendrick to the plate. Sadek - not much of a defensive catcher - missed connecting on a Moffitt slider, as Hendrick calmly took one step back to get out of the way of the hard-charging Jerrry Mumphrey.
Sadek had no chance of flagging that one down in time. The game was over - a walk-off winner compliments of a simple passed ball. A unique walk-off win like that wouldn't happen again for the Redbirds until a game against Seattle, on September 13, 2013. That was Friday the 13th, by the way.
Silvio Martinez started this one for the Cardinals - Vida Blue for the Giants - neither figured in the decision, as both would be removed after allowing four runs - Blue after six innings, Martinez after seven.
Ted Simmons got the Redbirds on the board first, leading-off the second-inning with a rising line-drive home run down the left field line that barely had enough altitude to clear the wall; although it had plenty of velocity. Simmons, whose previous high-water mark for home runs was 22 in 152 games in '78, announced before the '79 season that he would hit over 30 home runs - and he was well on his way until a broken hand ended his season after 123 games - with 26 home runs and 87 RBI.
Meanwhile, the Giants quickly took the lead in the third-inning. With two out, the speedy Bill North singled, and with Larry Herndon batting, stole second, then third. Martinez, probably a bit rattled, walked the equally speedy Herndon. With Jack Clark batting, Herndon stole second - and on an errant throw from Simmons - North was able to score the tying run. Clark promptly doubled in Herndon, giving San Francisco its first lead of the night - 2-1.
The Giants tacked on another run in the fourth-inning with a Bill Madlock solo home run - 3-1.
The Cardinals got that run back in their half of the fourth, with a little help from the Giants' defense. Simmons led-off with a single, then George Hendrick's potential double-play grounder was booted by Madlock - playing second base tonight. When the next batter - Tony Scott - actually did hit into a 6-4-3 double play, Simmons took third, then scored an unearned run when Ken Reitz doubled him home.
The Giants immediately responded in the the fifth, as Vida Blue - a terrible hitter even for a pitcher - grounded one up the middle, which glanced off the glove of Martinez for a rare hit. North's single put runners on first and second, then Herndon's bunt single loaded the bases. Just like that. Clark scored Blue from third on a force out at second.
San Francisco was up by two - with runners on the corners - and the ever-dangerous Willie McCovey now batting. His fly ball to right field wasn't particularly deep, but North decided to test Hendrick's arm, which was strong enough to nail him at the plate - for an inning-ending double play.
Blue managed to keep the Cardinals scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, but ran into trouble in the seventh, when Roger Freed - pinch hitting for Martinez - walked. Lou Brock, originally given the night off, was pinch running now. He stopped at third after Garry Templeton poked a double down the right field line. With that, Blue's night was over, as Gary LaVelle was brought in to face Jerry Mumphrey - who delivered a game-tying two-run double down the left field line. That was all, for now.
After Buddy Schultz pitched a scoreless eighth-inning for St Louis, LaVelle matched him in the bottom half.
The ninth-inning was fascinating. Mark Littell was now pitching for the Cardinals, and immediately found himself in a first-and-third-nobody-out situation, following a walk to Terry Whitfield and his own botched fielding play on a Mike Sadek sacrifice bunt.
Former-Cardinal cast-off Hector Cruz then grounded one to Templeton who got the force out to Mike Tyson at second - but Tyson saw the runner at third had strayed too far away from the bag, so quickly fired a strike to Oberkfell (who replaced Reitz as a pinch runner in the eighth-inning). Meanwhile, the panicked Whitfield decided to head towards home plate. Oberkfell quickly tossed the ball to Simmons, who applied the tag - completing an unorthodox 6-4-5-2 double play. Cruz reached second on the play, but it didn't matter as Littell retired Herndon to end the threat. Still all tied up, 4-4.
Randy Moffitt was the new pitcher for the Giants - Mike Sadek the new catcher - as Mumphrey began the bottom of the ninth with a slicing triple into the right field corner. It would be the only time swinging the bat was necessary to walk this one off. Hernandez and Simmons were intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing George Hendrick to the plate. Sadek - not much of a defensive catcher - missed connecting on a Moffitt slider, as Hendrick calmly took one step back to get out of the way of the hard-charging Jerrry Mumphrey.
Sadek had no chance of flagging that one down in time. The game was over - a walk-off winner compliments of a simple passed ball. A unique walk-off win like that wouldn't happen again for the Redbirds until a game against Seattle, on September 13, 2013. That was Friday the 13th, by the way.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
It's Walk-Off Wednesday! This Day in St Louis Cardinals History - JUNE 4
Four out of five of the games featured for June 4 were walk-off winners for the Cardinals. The other was a 10-inning shutout winner on the road. We'll start with that one.
1980 - At Shea Stadium: 41-year old Cards southpaw Jim Kaat (1-4) scatters seven hits in a 10-inning complete-game shutout - beating the New York Mets by a score of 1-0 (It's not a walk-off win, but it's still special).
Mets starter Pat Zachary allowed just two hits in seven innings of shutout pitching. Neil Allen worked the final three innings, allowing just one hit - but it was a big one - a Ken Reitz tenth-inning home run - to give Kaat all the run support he'd need today.
For Kaat, this is his first shutout since 1978, and it would prove to be the last one of his long and illustrious career.
With this win, St Louis (18-29) is still residing in the NL East cellar, but (slightly) better days lay ahead for the Redbirds.
1980 - At Shea Stadium: 41-year old Cards southpaw Jim Kaat (1-4) scatters seven hits in a 10-inning complete-game shutout - beating the New York Mets by a score of 1-0 (It's not a walk-off win, but it's still special).
Mets starter Pat Zachary allowed just two hits in seven innings of shutout pitching. Neil Allen worked the final three innings, allowing just one hit - but it was a big one - a Ken Reitz tenth-inning home run - to give Kaat all the run support he'd need today.
For Kaat, this is his first shutout since 1978, and it would prove to be the last one of his long and illustrious career.
With this win, St Louis (18-29) is still residing in the NL East cellar, but (slightly) better days lay ahead for the Redbirds.
1984 - At Busch Stadium II: Ken Oberkfell's one-out single in the bottom of the eleventh-inning scores Andy Van Slyke from second base to give the Cardinals a 4-3 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bruce Sutter (2-3) worked three scoreless innings to get the win. Al Holland (4-3) was tagged with the loss.
John Stuper started the game for St Louis, and was charged for two runs in six innings - after giving up a lead-off single in the seventh, Neil Allen relieved him - then managed to turn a 3-1 Cardinal lead into a 3-3 tie with 0.2 of an ineffective inning pitched. Allen allowed the inherited runner (Stuper's) - plus one his his own - to score, by coughing up two hits in this stint - thus making this dramatic walk-off win a reality.
The other reality: Stuper had to settle for a no-decision.
Meanwhile, George Hendrick's two-run third-inning single off Phillies starter Steve Carlton staked the Cardinals to an early 2-0 lead, while Tommy Herr drove in another run in the fifth-inning.
Carlton left after six innings, allowing those three runs, but he was taken off the hook for the loss when the Phillies rallied to tie it in the seventh.
Bruce Sutter (2-3) worked three scoreless innings to get the win. Al Holland (4-3) was tagged with the loss.
John Stuper started the game for St Louis, and was charged for two runs in six innings - after giving up a lead-off single in the seventh, Neil Allen relieved him - then managed to turn a 3-1 Cardinal lead into a 3-3 tie with 0.2 of an ineffective inning pitched. Allen allowed the inherited runner (Stuper's) - plus one his his own - to score, by coughing up two hits in this stint - thus making this dramatic walk-off win a reality.
The other reality: Stuper had to settle for a no-decision.
Meanwhile, George Hendrick's two-run third-inning single off Phillies starter Steve Carlton staked the Cardinals to an early 2-0 lead, while Tommy Herr drove in another run in the fifth-inning.
Carlton left after six innings, allowing those three runs, but he was taken off the hook for the loss when the Phillies rallied to tie it in the seventh.
1990 - At Busch Stadium II: It's deja vu all over again, as the Cardinals beat the Phillies in eleven innings. The final score: St Louis 3 - Philadelphia 2.
The Cardinals scored two first-inning runs off Phillies starter Terry Mulholland, on a Pedro Guerrero two-run double (scoring Smith and McGee). That was all the scoring for St Louis off Mulholland in his six innings of work. In fact, that was all the scoring for St Louis off three relievers through the next four innings.
The Phillies scored an unearned run off Cardinals starter John Tudor in the third-inning after left fielder Vince Coleman misplayed a ball that should have retired the side with no runs scored. Tudor worked 6.2 innings, and allowed just that one unearned run. He was relieved by Ken Dayley who also gave up a run in just 0.2 innings, but it could have been worse.
In that crucial eighth-inning, after Philadelphia had already scored one run to tie the game, 2-2, they still had the bases loaded with no outs. But Lee Smith retired the next three hitters - Thon, Daulton, and Ready - on three consecutive foul pop ups - the first on the first base side, the second on the third base side, and the third right behind the catcher. Quite a trick! It also took the wind out of the Phillies' sails, for sure.
After Smith worked his eighth-inning magic, Ricky Horton pitched the next two scoreless innings - then Frank DiPino (2-0) became the pitcher of record after working a scoreless eleventh-inning.
That set the stage for the the game winning rally off Phillies reliever Marvin Freeman (0-1). With the bases loaded (Vince Coleman on third) and one out, Terry Pendleton dropped one safely into right field to finally win it for St Louis - who somehow managed to finish last in the NL East this season, despite this thrilling walk-off win.
The Cardinals scored two first-inning runs off Phillies starter Terry Mulholland, on a Pedro Guerrero two-run double (scoring Smith and McGee). That was all the scoring for St Louis off Mulholland in his six innings of work. In fact, that was all the scoring for St Louis off three relievers through the next four innings.
The Phillies scored an unearned run off Cardinals starter John Tudor in the third-inning after left fielder Vince Coleman misplayed a ball that should have retired the side with no runs scored. Tudor worked 6.2 innings, and allowed just that one unearned run. He was relieved by Ken Dayley who also gave up a run in just 0.2 innings, but it could have been worse.
In that crucial eighth-inning, after Philadelphia had already scored one run to tie the game, 2-2, they still had the bases loaded with no outs. But Lee Smith retired the next three hitters - Thon, Daulton, and Ready - on three consecutive foul pop ups - the first on the first base side, the second on the third base side, and the third right behind the catcher. Quite a trick! It also took the wind out of the Phillies' sails, for sure.
After Smith worked his eighth-inning magic, Ricky Horton pitched the next two scoreless innings - then Frank DiPino (2-0) became the pitcher of record after working a scoreless eleventh-inning.
That set the stage for the the game winning rally off Phillies reliever Marvin Freeman (0-1). With the bases loaded (Vince Coleman on third) and one out, Terry Pendleton dropped one safely into right field to finally win it for St Louis - who somehow managed to finish last in the NL East this season, despite this thrilling walk-off win.
1994 - At Busch Stadium II: Ray Lankford's lead-off home run in the bottom of the ninth snapped a 1-1 tie, to give the Cardinals a walk-off win over the San Francisco Giants.
Both starting pitchers - John Burkett (7 IP) for the Giants and Vincente Palacios (8 IP) for the Cardinals - allowed just one run apiece. San Francisco scored their run in the very first-inning, on a Matt Williams RBI double. St Louis tied the game in the second-inning when Ray Lankford singled Todd Zeile in from second base.
Rene Arocha (3-3) pitched a perfect ninth-inning in relief of Palacios. Michael Jackson (3-2) made it through the eighth-inning unscathed, but the ninth was a different story: One batter, one game-winning home run. Just beat it. This somehow reminds me of a joke that I heard in the early '80's: What do Michael Jackson and the San Francisco Giants have in common? They both wear gloves on their left hands for no apparent reason. Bada bing.
Both starting pitchers - John Burkett (7 IP) for the Giants and Vincente Palacios (8 IP) for the Cardinals - allowed just one run apiece. San Francisco scored their run in the very first-inning, on a Matt Williams RBI double. St Louis tied the game in the second-inning when Ray Lankford singled Todd Zeile in from second base.
Rene Arocha (3-3) pitched a perfect ninth-inning in relief of Palacios. Michael Jackson (3-2) made it through the eighth-inning unscathed, but the ninth was a different story: One batter, one game-winning home run. Just beat it. This somehow reminds me of a joke that I heard in the early '80's: What do Michael Jackson and the San Francisco Giants have in common? They both wear gloves on their left hands for no apparent reason. Bada bing.
2011 - At Busch Stadium III: It was the Albert Pujols Show on this nationally televised game between the Cardinals and Cubs. The game ended with Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija (3-2) mysteriously serving up a nice fat pitch to Pujols with two-out and nobody on base in the 12th-inning, which was hit deep to left field for the game winning walk-off home run. Final score: St Louis 5 - Chicago 4
Before that dramatic ending, Pujols was still in the thick of anything the Cardinals did, offensively. In the fourth-inning, with Ryan Theriot on base, Albert launched his first home run of the game off Cubs starter Randy Wells, staking the Cardinals to a 2-0 lead.
Kyle Lohse started the game for the Redbirds, and pitched well until the Cubs mauled him for four runs in the sixth-inning. Carlos Pena's two-run home run started the scoring; Campana and Fukudome each added an RBI for the Cubs, who now led 4-2. Lohse didn't make it through the inning. With two out, Motte replaced him, escaping further damage. Lohse had been pounded for eleven hits, but only four runs. The next five Cardinal relievers - Motte, Miller, Batista, Salas, and Sanchez - would allow just one more hit over the final 6.1 innings of this marathon.
Chicago's two-run lead was short-lived. With two out and Theriot on first, it was Pujols again coming through with a big hit - this time, an RBI double. With that blow, Wells was removed from the game. Strangely enough, like Lohse, Wells also pitched precisely 5.2 innings, but only allowed three hits. The result was still the same, however - 4 runs for the opposition. That fourth run scored when the new pitcher - Sean Marshall - was greeted by Lance Berkman's RBI single to tie the game, 4-4.
The last Cardinal pitcher used in this game - Eduardo Sanchez (2-1) - worked two perfect innings, striking out two batters.
The Cubs would use four more pitchers as the game progressed until the fateful twelfth-inning. Samardzija retired the first two batters in the frame, giving him a golden opportunity to pitch around Pujols. He chose to go after him - he paid the price. And the Cardinals got a win they had to have to reach the postseason.
Before that dramatic ending, Pujols was still in the thick of anything the Cardinals did, offensively. In the fourth-inning, with Ryan Theriot on base, Albert launched his first home run of the game off Cubs starter Randy Wells, staking the Cardinals to a 2-0 lead.
Kyle Lohse started the game for the Redbirds, and pitched well until the Cubs mauled him for four runs in the sixth-inning. Carlos Pena's two-run home run started the scoring; Campana and Fukudome each added an RBI for the Cubs, who now led 4-2. Lohse didn't make it through the inning. With two out, Motte replaced him, escaping further damage. Lohse had been pounded for eleven hits, but only four runs. The next five Cardinal relievers - Motte, Miller, Batista, Salas, and Sanchez - would allow just one more hit over the final 6.1 innings of this marathon.
Chicago's two-run lead was short-lived. With two out and Theriot on first, it was Pujols again coming through with a big hit - this time, an RBI double. With that blow, Wells was removed from the game. Strangely enough, like Lohse, Wells also pitched precisely 5.2 innings, but only allowed three hits. The result was still the same, however - 4 runs for the opposition. That fourth run scored when the new pitcher - Sean Marshall - was greeted by Lance Berkman's RBI single to tie the game, 4-4.
The last Cardinal pitcher used in this game - Eduardo Sanchez (2-1) - worked two perfect innings, striking out two batters.
The Cubs would use four more pitchers as the game progressed until the fateful twelfth-inning. Samardzija retired the first two batters in the frame, giving him a golden opportunity to pitch around Pujols. He chose to go after him - he paid the price. And the Cardinals got a win they had to have to reach the postseason.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
June 3, 1985 - Runnin' Redbirds Run Ryan Ragged
Monday, June 3, 1985 - John Tudor felt confident going into this game with the Houston Astros, although his last start, in Atlanta, hadn't gone so well. For that matter, the entire season hadn't gone so well for the taciturn Tudor. In his latest six innings of futility, he had been hit hard - five runs on eight hits - losing to the Braves, 5-3. With just one win against seven losses, Tudor had hit rock bottom.
A buddy of his, who happened to be watching the game on Braves' Super Station WTBS, also happened to discover a subtle flaw in Tudor's delivery. One phone call later, Tudor had been enlightened. Now, he could hardly wait for his next start.
Nolan Ryan was Tudor's mound opponent for this game at Busch Stadium II, as a crowd of just 18,891 filed through the turnstiles - an indication that the Cardinal fan base hadn't bought into how good this team really was. They were about to find out, right off the bat.
After Tudor retired the Astros in order in the first-inning, the Cardinals went to work in the bottom half. Vince Coleman coaxed a walk out of Ryan, then wasted no time in stealing second with Willie McGee at the plate. Willie then beat out an infield hit, as Coleman moved to third. With Tommy Herr batting, McGee took off for second, but was nailed for the first out of the inning. Ryan - a bit wild tonight - walked the patient Herr. With cleanup hitter Jack Clark batting, Coleman decided to surprise the whole world by stealing home. Not to be outdone, Herr then stole second and advanced to third as the throw from the catcher skipped into center field. Clark, probably a bit distracted by all the activity on the bases, struck out; but Andy Van Slyke picked up the two-out RBI with a double down the right field line. The next hitter, Terry Pendleton popped up to the first baseman as Van Slyke became the first Cardinal base runner in the inning to not attempt a stolen base.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the third, when McGee singled with one out, then scored on Herr's double. With Clark batting, Ryan uncorked a wild pitch, moving Herr to third. After Clark popped out to the first baseman in foul territory, Van Slyke once again delivered a two-out run-scoring hit - a single to center. Pendleton flew out to left to end the inning, but Tudor now had a comfortable 4-0 lead to work with.
After Houston failed to score in the fifth-inning, St Louis broke the game wide open in the bottom half. Coleman led off with a single, but this time was nailed trying to steal second. McGee, who had already been thrown out stealing in the first-inning, decided to give it another try, after lining a single to center. He made it this time, then came around to score on Herr's base hit to right. Before Herr had a chance to do anything funny, Clark deposited a Ryan fastball into the left field bleachers. Van Slyke then got his third straight hit, advanced to second on a two-out walk to Ozzie Smith - which ended Ryan's nightmarish outing - then scored the fourth and final run of the inning when Tom Nieto greeted new pitcher Bill Dawley with a base hit to center.
Tudor may have lost his concentration with that eight-nothing lead as he faced the Astros in the sixth-inning. A walk and two singles had a run in for Houston, with runners at the corners with nobody out. At that point, Tudor was replaced by Ken Dayley, who had some issues of his own in the inning, as the Astros scored four runs - two of which were unearned. He went on to pitch the final four innings, securing an eventual 9-5 win with his fifth save of the season.
Things got a little sloppy at the end of this game, but Tudor was now on track, really for the first time all season. In his next start against the Mets at Shea Stadium, there would be no momentary lapses in concentration. He'd win a 1-0 thriller over Dwight Gooden - the first of a league-leading ten shutouts he'd bag in '85. After that dreadful 1-7 start, and some helpful advice from an old friend, Tudor would become the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, winning 20 out his next 21 decisions.
As for this game, it was pretty obvious the Cardinals were a running team. They stole four bases, got caught stealing three times. Even Tudor tried to steal a bag - unsuccessfully. The '85 Cardinals were a team built for speed. They would run whenever they had a chance to run, which was just about anytime they got on base. They would wreck havoc on the bases, causing the opposition to get out of sync - make bad throws, mishandle otherwise routine plays.
The strategy worked to perfection tonight. It undoubtedly affected Nolan Ryan's game - his concentration. In short, these runnin' Redbirds ran Ryan ragged tonight. They were just getting started. After this game, the Cardinals (25-23) were still a fourth-place team in the National League East - still 5 games behind the New York Mets. After tonight, however, St Louis would post the best record in baseball - 76-38 - a .667 winning percentage - good enough for a division title.
Not bad for a team universally picked to finish last by all the baseball experts.
A buddy of his, who happened to be watching the game on Braves' Super Station WTBS, also happened to discover a subtle flaw in Tudor's delivery. One phone call later, Tudor had been enlightened. Now, he could hardly wait for his next start.
Nolan Ryan was Tudor's mound opponent for this game at Busch Stadium II, as a crowd of just 18,891 filed through the turnstiles - an indication that the Cardinal fan base hadn't bought into how good this team really was. They were about to find out, right off the bat.
After Tudor retired the Astros in order in the first-inning, the Cardinals went to work in the bottom half. Vince Coleman coaxed a walk out of Ryan, then wasted no time in stealing second with Willie McGee at the plate. Willie then beat out an infield hit, as Coleman moved to third. With Tommy Herr batting, McGee took off for second, but was nailed for the first out of the inning. Ryan - a bit wild tonight - walked the patient Herr. With cleanup hitter Jack Clark batting, Coleman decided to surprise the whole world by stealing home. Not to be outdone, Herr then stole second and advanced to third as the throw from the catcher skipped into center field. Clark, probably a bit distracted by all the activity on the bases, struck out; but Andy Van Slyke picked up the two-out RBI with a double down the right field line. The next hitter, Terry Pendleton popped up to the first baseman as Van Slyke became the first Cardinal base runner in the inning to not attempt a stolen base.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the third, when McGee singled with one out, then scored on Herr's double. With Clark batting, Ryan uncorked a wild pitch, moving Herr to third. After Clark popped out to the first baseman in foul territory, Van Slyke once again delivered a two-out run-scoring hit - a single to center. Pendleton flew out to left to end the inning, but Tudor now had a comfortable 4-0 lead to work with.
After Houston failed to score in the fifth-inning, St Louis broke the game wide open in the bottom half. Coleman led off with a single, but this time was nailed trying to steal second. McGee, who had already been thrown out stealing in the first-inning, decided to give it another try, after lining a single to center. He made it this time, then came around to score on Herr's base hit to right. Before Herr had a chance to do anything funny, Clark deposited a Ryan fastball into the left field bleachers. Van Slyke then got his third straight hit, advanced to second on a two-out walk to Ozzie Smith - which ended Ryan's nightmarish outing - then scored the fourth and final run of the inning when Tom Nieto greeted new pitcher Bill Dawley with a base hit to center.
Tudor may have lost his concentration with that eight-nothing lead as he faced the Astros in the sixth-inning. A walk and two singles had a run in for Houston, with runners at the corners with nobody out. At that point, Tudor was replaced by Ken Dayley, who had some issues of his own in the inning, as the Astros scored four runs - two of which were unearned. He went on to pitch the final four innings, securing an eventual 9-5 win with his fifth save of the season.
Things got a little sloppy at the end of this game, but Tudor was now on track, really for the first time all season. In his next start against the Mets at Shea Stadium, there would be no momentary lapses in concentration. He'd win a 1-0 thriller over Dwight Gooden - the first of a league-leading ten shutouts he'd bag in '85. After that dreadful 1-7 start, and some helpful advice from an old friend, Tudor would become the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, winning 20 out his next 21 decisions.
As for this game, it was pretty obvious the Cardinals were a running team. They stole four bases, got caught stealing three times. Even Tudor tried to steal a bag - unsuccessfully. The '85 Cardinals were a team built for speed. They would run whenever they had a chance to run, which was just about anytime they got on base. They would wreck havoc on the bases, causing the opposition to get out of sync - make bad throws, mishandle otherwise routine plays.
The strategy worked to perfection tonight. It undoubtedly affected Nolan Ryan's game - his concentration. In short, these runnin' Redbirds ran Ryan ragged tonight. They were just getting started. After this game, the Cardinals (25-23) were still a fourth-place team in the National League East - still 5 games behind the New York Mets. After tonight, however, St Louis would post the best record in baseball - 76-38 - a .667 winning percentage - good enough for a division title.
Not bad for a team universally picked to finish last by all the baseball experts.
Monday, June 2, 2014
The Meteoric Rise & Fall of Larry Jaster: Dodger Killer
Larry Jaster's major league career began with a flourish, late in the '65 season. The 21-year old southpaw made his Cardinal debut in a meaningless September 17 game - working one perfect inning against the Dodgers - a team he would later become notorious for shutting out a record five times the very next season.
Jaster earned his shot to become a starting pitcher thanks to his successful audition in the waning days of the dismal '65 season. The Cardinals were already well out of the pennant race when Jaster was called up, so management decided to see what this kid could do as a starter. He made three starts - all complete game victories. Looking back on it, maybe going nine innings in three successive starts took its toll on that 21-year old arm. Maybe not. Either way, his ERA was a Koufax-like 1.61 heading into the '66 season; and the young southpaw's rookie status was intact.
Jaster loved pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers - especially in 1966. Five starts - five National League-leading complete game shutouts, with scores that almost seem contrived in their symmetry: 2-0, 2-0, 4-0, 4-0, and 2-0. Against the rest of the league, Jaster was mediocre - 6-5 with a 4.66 ERA. But he owned the Dodgers. He knew it, they knew it; everybody knew it. It didn't matter what lineup manager Walter Alston put together. They were like those wild and crazy guys on SNL - they just couldn't score.
Jaster's first start/shutout against LA came on April 25, 1966 at Dodger Stadium. The victim: Claude Osteen. Jaster must have been nervous in that hostile environment. The Dodgers roughed him up for seven hits; that would be the season high for the Dodger lineup against the 22-year old southpaw. He walked no one; apparently he feared no one - at least no one wearing a Dodgers uniform. Never a big strikeout artist, Jaster fanned seven in his first blanking. Eight was his career high.
Shutout number two - July 3, 1966 - victimized Don Drysdale, once again at Dodger Stadium. This time LA could only muster three hits, although Jim Lefebvre did draw the team's first base on balls against Jaster. And they cut down on the strikeouts to just five. So at least they had that going for them.
Number three - July 29, 1966 - victimized Drysdale again, this time at Busch Stadium. Five hits, two walks, and a career-high eight strikeouts. I think the home crowd got him psyched.
Number four - August 19, 1966 - back to Dodger Stadium with another repeat victim: Claude Osteen. Five hits, three walks, seven strikeouts. Where's Sandy Koufax when you need him? Or maybe fight rookie fire with another, even younger rookie?
The record-setting fifth shutout - September 28, 1966 at Busch Stadium. The victim: 21-year old Rookie Don Sutton, who at least got it back to a 2-0 deficit. Four hits, two walks, four strikeouts.
The Cardinals opened the '67 season at home against the San Francisco Giants. Naturally, it was Gibson vs Marichal, and on this night, Gibby pitched a complete game 6-0 shutout. For some reason, the Dodgers were the scheduled opponent for game two, on April 14, 1967. Naturally, Jaster was the starter, and for the first six innings, kept LA scoreless. By this time, the Cardinals had forged an insurmountable 8-0 lead. But the Dodgers scored a moral victory with a two-out run in the seventh-inning.
The scoreless streak was over. Jaster had gone 52.2 innings before the Dodgers finally scored a run - on a sacrifice fly. Maybe that inspired them; or maybe Jaster was running out of gas. After working a scoreless eighth, the first two batters reached base in the ninth-inning, signaling the end of his night. He didn't get any help from the bullpen, as both runners eventually came around to score on a new rookie phenom who was getting his first dose of major league hitters - Dick Hughes - who quickly settled down after this shaky first appearance, winning 16 games, primarily as a starter, that season.
Jaster's next start against the Dodgers on April 24 (at Dodger Stadium) was brutal. In 2.1 innings pitched, Jaster was mauled for four runs on four hits - two of which were home runs. He was fortunate to escape without the loss, getting a no-decision in a game the Dodgers eventually won in 13 innings, 6-5.
He started against LA again on June 10, 1967 at Busch Stadium II. This time, he pitched extremely well, but again had another no-decision for his effort. He went nine innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. He tied his career-high strikeout total - eight batters - but the game would continue until Roger Maris' walk-off three-run home run in the eleventh-inning. Final score: St Louis 5 - LA 2.
Nearly two months would pass before Jaster had another shot at his favorite team. On August 9, 1967, pitching at Busch Stadium II, Larry earned yet another no-decision - but this time he worked a career-high ten innings, allowing just two runs - both runs coming from home runs. Other than that, the total Dodger offense against the young southpaw consisted of three hits and one walk. He struck out four. This game would last eleven innings once again; and once again, the Cardinals walked-off with a win - this time by a 3-2 score.
Finally, on August 25, 1967 - his tenth career start against the Dodgers (at Dodger Stadium) - Jaster's luck ran out. He had allowed just two runs on four hits (no walks - four strikeouts) through six innings, but the Cardinals had only scored once. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh, but to no avail. This minor blemish on Jaster's Dodger-killing reputation remained intact; and rightfully so.
In '68, Jaster was still the master of LA in his first three starts against them, with two wins and one no-decision. However, his last start against the Dodgers as a member of the Cardinals came at home on September 9; and it was the worst - and shortest - start of his career: 1.1 IP - 5 H - 6 R - 0 BB - 1 SO - This was only the second loss against the Dodgers in fourteen career starts, but it no doubt hastened his exit from St Louis. He spent one dreadful season with Montreal, then hung on for two more seasons with Atlanta, but his days as a Dodger killer were a distant memory.
For old time's sake, on October 4, 1972, Jaster made his final appearance on a big league mound in Atlanta - getting the start against the Dodgers; who else? Jaster pitched reasonably well - 5 IP - 4 H - 2 R - 1 BB - 3 SO - but took the loss, lowering his career record against LA to 9-4.
As a member of the Cardinals, he was 8-2 in 14 games started against LA. Overall, in 109 innings pitched against LA, he posted a remarkable 1.90 ERA, featuring those five shutouts in his first five starts. Even taking those out of the equation, in 64 innings work, Jaster still posted a nice 3.23 ERA. Not bad; not bad at all.
It's hard to explain his mastery against this one team, especially early in his career. Aside from the five shutouts he had against LA in '66, Jaster only had two others - an August 4, 1967 four-hit 5-0 blanking of the Reds, and a May 31, 1968 2-0 two-hitter against Tom Seaver and the Mets. He came close, but never shut the Dodgers out after that memorable '66 season.
Whatever Jaster did to the Dodgers in '66 - maybe some savvy baseball analyst in the Baltimore Orioles front office figured it out - and passed that knowledge on to the young World Series-bound Orioles pitching staff - Palmer, Bunker and McNally - All they did was jam 33 consecutive scoreless innings down the LA throats in a four game World Series sweep. Larry Jaster was no doubt smiling about that scoreless streak which was still a dozen innings shy of what he accomplished in those five starts against the National League champions that season - at the tender age of twenty-two.
Jaster earned his shot to become a starting pitcher thanks to his successful audition in the waning days of the dismal '65 season. The Cardinals were already well out of the pennant race when Jaster was called up, so management decided to see what this kid could do as a starter. He made three starts - all complete game victories. Looking back on it, maybe going nine innings in three successive starts took its toll on that 21-year old arm. Maybe not. Either way, his ERA was a Koufax-like 1.61 heading into the '66 season; and the young southpaw's rookie status was intact.
Jaster loved pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers - especially in 1966. Five starts - five National League-leading complete game shutouts, with scores that almost seem contrived in their symmetry: 2-0, 2-0, 4-0, 4-0, and 2-0. Against the rest of the league, Jaster was mediocre - 6-5 with a 4.66 ERA. But he owned the Dodgers. He knew it, they knew it; everybody knew it. It didn't matter what lineup manager Walter Alston put together. They were like those wild and crazy guys on SNL - they just couldn't score.
Jaster's first start/shutout against LA came on April 25, 1966 at Dodger Stadium. The victim: Claude Osteen. Jaster must have been nervous in that hostile environment. The Dodgers roughed him up for seven hits; that would be the season high for the Dodger lineup against the 22-year old southpaw. He walked no one; apparently he feared no one - at least no one wearing a Dodgers uniform. Never a big strikeout artist, Jaster fanned seven in his first blanking. Eight was his career high.
Shutout number two - July 3, 1966 - victimized Don Drysdale, once again at Dodger Stadium. This time LA could only muster three hits, although Jim Lefebvre did draw the team's first base on balls against Jaster. And they cut down on the strikeouts to just five. So at least they had that going for them.
Number three - July 29, 1966 - victimized Drysdale again, this time at Busch Stadium. Five hits, two walks, and a career-high eight strikeouts. I think the home crowd got him psyched.
Number four - August 19, 1966 - back to Dodger Stadium with another repeat victim: Claude Osteen. Five hits, three walks, seven strikeouts. Where's Sandy Koufax when you need him? Or maybe fight rookie fire with another, even younger rookie?
The record-setting fifth shutout - September 28, 1966 at Busch Stadium. The victim: 21-year old Rookie Don Sutton, who at least got it back to a 2-0 deficit. Four hits, two walks, four strikeouts.
The Cardinals opened the '67 season at home against the San Francisco Giants. Naturally, it was Gibson vs Marichal, and on this night, Gibby pitched a complete game 6-0 shutout. For some reason, the Dodgers were the scheduled opponent for game two, on April 14, 1967. Naturally, Jaster was the starter, and for the first six innings, kept LA scoreless. By this time, the Cardinals had forged an insurmountable 8-0 lead. But the Dodgers scored a moral victory with a two-out run in the seventh-inning.
The scoreless streak was over. Jaster had gone 52.2 innings before the Dodgers finally scored a run - on a sacrifice fly. Maybe that inspired them; or maybe Jaster was running out of gas. After working a scoreless eighth, the first two batters reached base in the ninth-inning, signaling the end of his night. He didn't get any help from the bullpen, as both runners eventually came around to score on a new rookie phenom who was getting his first dose of major league hitters - Dick Hughes - who quickly settled down after this shaky first appearance, winning 16 games, primarily as a starter, that season.
Jaster's next start against the Dodgers on April 24 (at Dodger Stadium) was brutal. In 2.1 innings pitched, Jaster was mauled for four runs on four hits - two of which were home runs. He was fortunate to escape without the loss, getting a no-decision in a game the Dodgers eventually won in 13 innings, 6-5.
He started against LA again on June 10, 1967 at Busch Stadium II. This time, he pitched extremely well, but again had another no-decision for his effort. He went nine innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. He tied his career-high strikeout total - eight batters - but the game would continue until Roger Maris' walk-off three-run home run in the eleventh-inning. Final score: St Louis 5 - LA 2.
Nearly two months would pass before Jaster had another shot at his favorite team. On August 9, 1967, pitching at Busch Stadium II, Larry earned yet another no-decision - but this time he worked a career-high ten innings, allowing just two runs - both runs coming from home runs. Other than that, the total Dodger offense against the young southpaw consisted of three hits and one walk. He struck out four. This game would last eleven innings once again; and once again, the Cardinals walked-off with a win - this time by a 3-2 score.
Finally, on August 25, 1967 - his tenth career start against the Dodgers (at Dodger Stadium) - Jaster's luck ran out. He had allowed just two runs on four hits (no walks - four strikeouts) through six innings, but the Cardinals had only scored once. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh, but to no avail. This minor blemish on Jaster's Dodger-killing reputation remained intact; and rightfully so.
In '68, Jaster was still the master of LA in his first three starts against them, with two wins and one no-decision. However, his last start against the Dodgers as a member of the Cardinals came at home on September 9; and it was the worst - and shortest - start of his career: 1.1 IP - 5 H - 6 R - 0 BB - 1 SO - This was only the second loss against the Dodgers in fourteen career starts, but it no doubt hastened his exit from St Louis. He spent one dreadful season with Montreal, then hung on for two more seasons with Atlanta, but his days as a Dodger killer were a distant memory.
For old time's sake, on October 4, 1972, Jaster made his final appearance on a big league mound in Atlanta - getting the start against the Dodgers; who else? Jaster pitched reasonably well - 5 IP - 4 H - 2 R - 1 BB - 3 SO - but took the loss, lowering his career record against LA to 9-4.
As a member of the Cardinals, he was 8-2 in 14 games started against LA. Overall, in 109 innings pitched against LA, he posted a remarkable 1.90 ERA, featuring those five shutouts in his first five starts. Even taking those out of the equation, in 64 innings work, Jaster still posted a nice 3.23 ERA. Not bad; not bad at all.
It's hard to explain his mastery against this one team, especially early in his career. Aside from the five shutouts he had against LA in '66, Jaster only had two others - an August 4, 1967 four-hit 5-0 blanking of the Reds, and a May 31, 1968 2-0 two-hitter against Tom Seaver and the Mets. He came close, but never shut the Dodgers out after that memorable '66 season.
Whatever Jaster did to the Dodgers in '66 - maybe some savvy baseball analyst in the Baltimore Orioles front office figured it out - and passed that knowledge on to the young World Series-bound Orioles pitching staff - Palmer, Bunker and McNally - All they did was jam 33 consecutive scoreless innings down the LA throats in a four game World Series sweep. Larry Jaster was no doubt smiling about that scoreless streak which was still a dozen innings shy of what he accomplished in those five starts against the National League champions that season - at the tender age of twenty-two.
This Day in St Louis Cardinals History - JUNE 2
1967 - At Busch Stadium II: Lou Brock's 2-Run 5th-inning home run paces the Cardinals to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. Steve Carlton's (4-1) complete game 3-hitter is marred only by a Ted Savage 8th-inning solo home run. Second-place St Louis (26-16) is only 2 games behind Cincinnati, and closing fast.
1968 - At Shea Stadium: The Cardinals sweep a doubleheader over the New York Mets to take sole possession of first place in the National League (27-21) - one-half game ahead of the second-place San Francisco Giants. Bob Gibson (4-5) wins the first game, 6-3, but is so irritated with his performance he refuses to allow another run over his next four starts in the month of June. Dick Hughes (1-2) wins the nightcap, 3-2, but arm trouble would soon end the career of of last season's Rookie of the Year runner-up. He'd only win one more game before calling it quits.
1982 - At Busch Stadium II: Joaquin Andujar (5-4) throws a six-hit complete game shutout over the San Francisco Giants, as the Cardinals prevail, by a score of 1-0. Andujar got the only run support necessary in the third-inning, when Ozzie Smith walked, stole second, advanced to third on a ground-out, then scored on a Keith Hernandez two-out single. The National League East division-leading Cardinals (32-19) now hold a 4.5 game lead over three division rivals.
1996 - At Busch Stadium II: Todd Stottlemyre (5-3) pitches the Cardinals (26-29) into a virtual first-place tie with their NL Central rivals - the Houston Astros (27-30), with a complete game 2-0 shutout of Houston. A second-inning RBI single by John Mabry was enough on this day, but the Redbirds added an insurance run in the eighth when Luis Alicea was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. St Louis would finish the season with a NL-best 62-45 record, to win their first ever NL Central title.
2000 - At Busch Stadium II: Darryl Kile (8-3) pitches the first-place Cardinals (31-23) to a 5-1 win over the Cleveland Indians. Kile allowed just three hits in his eight innings of work. He also walked three and struck out nine. The only run allowed came via a Jim Thome fourth-inning home run. Ray Lankford provided all the run support needed today with a two-run fifth-inning triple, scoring Edmonds and McGwire.
2001 - At Busch Stadium II: Matt Morris (8-3) struggles through 5.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing five runs (four earned runs) on six hits, but it's good enough to win, 8-5, as the St Louis lineup scores early and often - and the bullpen does the rest - keeping the Reds scoreless over the final 3.2 innings. Gene Stechschulte picks up the save, after Christiansen, Timlin, and Kline slammed the door shut on any further Cincinnati scoring. Ray Lankford's two-out two-run first-inning home run was part of a four RBI game for the long-time Redbird star, while Eli Marrero and JD Drew both hit solo home runs in the second-inning to spark the offense. The second-place Cardinals are now 3.5 games behind the Cubbies - but this would become a two-team race between St Louis and Houston, who finished with identical 93-69 records. However, the Astros fared better in head-to-head competition with the Cardinals - so they would be declared division champs while St Louis would settle for the wild card.
2004 - At PNC Park: Chris Carpenter (6-1) allows three runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings, as the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3. Carpenter didn't walk a single batter and struck out nine. Pirates killer Albert Pujols' first-inning two-run home run gave the Redbirds the early advantage, while John Mabry added two RBI of his own, to provide the margin of victory. At this point in the season, the Cardinals (29-23) were still in second-place - 2.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds. But not for long, as St Louis would go on to finish the season with a major league-best 76-34 record, en route to a 105-win season.
2009 - At Busch Stadium II: Albert Pujols and Nick Stavinoha drove in two runs apiece in a 5-2 Cardinal win over the Cincinnati Reds. Starting pitcher Brad Thompson worked the first five innings for St Louis, allowing two runs on five hits. The Cardinal bullpen - Miller, Motte, Reyes, McClellan, and Franklin - not only kept the Reds from scoring, they kept them hitless (with two walks) over the final four innings. Franklin recorded the only strikeout by Redbird pitching in this game, as he got the one-inning save (13). Jason Motte (2-1) worked 1.2 innings at the most opportune time to get the win. Strangely enough, the free-swinging Cardinal hitters struck out nine times, but when they made contact, they usually hit the ball hard. At this point in the season, St Louis and Milwaukee were deadlocked in a first-place tie in the NL Central (30-22), but the Cardinals would pull away from everybody in the division with a 61-49 record to close out the season.
1968 - At Shea Stadium: The Cardinals sweep a doubleheader over the New York Mets to take sole possession of first place in the National League (27-21) - one-half game ahead of the second-place San Francisco Giants. Bob Gibson (4-5) wins the first game, 6-3, but is so irritated with his performance he refuses to allow another run over his next four starts in the month of June. Dick Hughes (1-2) wins the nightcap, 3-2, but arm trouble would soon end the career of of last season's Rookie of the Year runner-up. He'd only win one more game before calling it quits.
1982 - At Busch Stadium II: Joaquin Andujar (5-4) throws a six-hit complete game shutout over the San Francisco Giants, as the Cardinals prevail, by a score of 1-0. Andujar got the only run support necessary in the third-inning, when Ozzie Smith walked, stole second, advanced to third on a ground-out, then scored on a Keith Hernandez two-out single. The National League East division-leading Cardinals (32-19) now hold a 4.5 game lead over three division rivals.
1996 - At Busch Stadium II: Todd Stottlemyre (5-3) pitches the Cardinals (26-29) into a virtual first-place tie with their NL Central rivals - the Houston Astros (27-30), with a complete game 2-0 shutout of Houston. A second-inning RBI single by John Mabry was enough on this day, but the Redbirds added an insurance run in the eighth when Luis Alicea was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. St Louis would finish the season with a NL-best 62-45 record, to win their first ever NL Central title.
2000 - At Busch Stadium II: Darryl Kile (8-3) pitches the first-place Cardinals (31-23) to a 5-1 win over the Cleveland Indians. Kile allowed just three hits in his eight innings of work. He also walked three and struck out nine. The only run allowed came via a Jim Thome fourth-inning home run. Ray Lankford provided all the run support needed today with a two-run fifth-inning triple, scoring Edmonds and McGwire.
2001 - At Busch Stadium II: Matt Morris (8-3) struggles through 5.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing five runs (four earned runs) on six hits, but it's good enough to win, 8-5, as the St Louis lineup scores early and often - and the bullpen does the rest - keeping the Reds scoreless over the final 3.2 innings. Gene Stechschulte picks up the save, after Christiansen, Timlin, and Kline slammed the door shut on any further Cincinnati scoring. Ray Lankford's two-out two-run first-inning home run was part of a four RBI game for the long-time Redbird star, while Eli Marrero and JD Drew both hit solo home runs in the second-inning to spark the offense. The second-place Cardinals are now 3.5 games behind the Cubbies - but this would become a two-team race between St Louis and Houston, who finished with identical 93-69 records. However, the Astros fared better in head-to-head competition with the Cardinals - so they would be declared division champs while St Louis would settle for the wild card.
2004 - At PNC Park: Chris Carpenter (6-1) allows three runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings, as the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3. Carpenter didn't walk a single batter and struck out nine. Pirates killer Albert Pujols' first-inning two-run home run gave the Redbirds the early advantage, while John Mabry added two RBI of his own, to provide the margin of victory. At this point in the season, the Cardinals (29-23) were still in second-place - 2.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds. But not for long, as St Louis would go on to finish the season with a major league-best 76-34 record, en route to a 105-win season.
2009 - At Busch Stadium II: Albert Pujols and Nick Stavinoha drove in two runs apiece in a 5-2 Cardinal win over the Cincinnati Reds. Starting pitcher Brad Thompson worked the first five innings for St Louis, allowing two runs on five hits. The Cardinal bullpen - Miller, Motte, Reyes, McClellan, and Franklin - not only kept the Reds from scoring, they kept them hitless (with two walks) over the final four innings. Franklin recorded the only strikeout by Redbird pitching in this game, as he got the one-inning save (13). Jason Motte (2-1) worked 1.2 innings at the most opportune time to get the win. Strangely enough, the free-swinging Cardinal hitters struck out nine times, but when they made contact, they usually hit the ball hard. At this point in the season, St Louis and Milwaukee were deadlocked in a first-place tie in the NL Central (30-22), but the Cardinals would pull away from everybody in the division with a 61-49 record to close out the season.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
June 1, 1967 - Come-From-Behind-Walk-Off-Extra-Inning Thriller
Thursday, June 1, 1967 - The Cardinals were home to host the Atlanta Braves, trying to recover from an excruciating, rain-delayed Tuesday night loss in Cincinnati; a game rookie pitcher Dick Hughes had been perfect through seven innings, but ended up losing, 2-1. But it was the painfully bizarre ending that put Cardinal Nation in a temporary funk. Down by that 2-1 score, leading off the ninth-inning, Orlando Cepeda singled, then took third on Tim McCarver's single to right. The rally ended as suddenly as it had begun, when Phil Gagliano grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, which turned into a 6-4-3-2 triple play when Cepeda unwisely tried to score on the play. He was out by a mile.
The Redbirds had an off day on Wednesday to lick their wounds, but it was back to work with Henry Aaron and company in town - with a modest gathering of 11,988 at Busch Stadium II, hoping the Redbirds could get back on track.
Things didn't start out so well, when with two out, Aaron launched a Ray Washburn fastball over the center field wall for a quick 1-0 Atlanta lead. The Braves got something started again in the second-inning with two out - Clete Boyer doubled, Dennis Menke walked, and pitcher Denny Lemaster helped his own cause by lining a single to center, scoring Boyer. Just like that, it was 2-0.
The Cardinals tried to get something going in the third-inning, but came up empty - loading the bases with one out, only to have Alex Johnson strike out and Tim McCarver pop out. The natives were getting restless.
With the Cardinals still trailing 2-0, batting in the fifth-inning - Curt Flood drew a two-out walk, then Cepeda belted a double down the left-field line, but Flood had to stop at third. This brought the much-maligned Alex Johnson up to bat again, but this time he lined a single to center scoring both runners to tie the game, 2-2.
The Braves grabbed the lead again in the seventh-inning, when Felipe Alou lined a one-out double to right center field, followed by a Boyer infield hit which Javier couldn't get to in time to retire the not-so-speedy Boyer at first. With runners at first and third, Charlie Lau hit a slow roller to Maxvill at short, whose only play was a force out at second. Lau beat the relay to first, while Alou scored the go-ahead run.
The score was still 3-2, in favor of Atlanta, as they batted in the top of the ninth. With Larry Jaster now pitching for the Cardinals, Joe Torre dribbled one down the third base line for a rare infield hit. After Alou flew out to center, Jaster lost his control, walking the next two batters - Boyer and Martinez - to load the bases. Ron Willis relieved Jaster and got Lemaster (allowed to hit for himself) out on a pop fly to Javier at second. But Willis couldn't find the strike zone to Woodward, walking him to force in another run. A new pitcher, Joe Hoerner, struck out Geiger to stop the bleeding. But things didn't seem so promising with Lemaster heading back to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead.
The first batter for St Louis was pinch hitter Johnny Romano, who was on his way to hitting .121 in his tenth and final major league season - his first with the Cardinals. He failed to get a hit, but did the next best thing - he grounded one to Boyer at third, who booted it for an error, then inexplicably threw it wildly in the direction of first, which allowed Romano to amble into second base on the double-error. Dick Hughes was now the pinch runner for Johnny at second base.
Lemaster's night was suddenly over, as knuckle-ball specialist Phil Niekro was brought in from the Atlanta bullpen to face Lou Brock. A wild pitch moved Hughes up to third, then Brock's sacrifice fly to center scored him. It was now 4-3 with one out and nobody on. That changed quickly, as Niekro walked Julian Javier. Then with Curt Flood batting, Niekro's knuckle-ball was impossible for Torre to catch. His first passed ball allowed Javier to move up to second base.
An excited Harry Caray in the broadcast booth, sensed the inevitable: "If Flood can stay alive long enough, I just know he'll be able to take third! Torre just can't handle that knuckle-ball! There it is! Another passed ball! Hoolie's on his way to third! Safe! Holy cow!"
Flood then delivered the game tying hit - a single to center. With that, Niekro's night was over, as Clay Carroll took over, retiring Cepeda on strikes, then Maris on a fly ball to left.
With the game tied, 4-4, Al Jackson - the new pitcher for the Cardinals - retired the Braves in order in the tenth, as the Redbirds tried to win it in the bottom half. Clay Carroll went back to the mound, retiring McCarver on a routine ground out; but then Phil Gagliano beat out a slow roller down the third base line, as a beleaguered Clete Boyer couldn't make a play. Eddie Bressound then popped out to second, as the small crowd groaned, anticipating a momentum shift back to the Braves.
Not tonight. Bobby Tolan then ripped a fastball in the right center field gap, just out of the outstretched reach of Aaron, all the way to the wall. Tolan reached third even before Gagliano slid in safely with the winning run. It was over - a come-from-behind 5-4 extra-inning winner. Fortune had smiled down on the Redbirds tonight; but after what happened on Tuesday night in Cincy, they probably deserved it.
The Redbirds had an off day on Wednesday to lick their wounds, but it was back to work with Henry Aaron and company in town - with a modest gathering of 11,988 at Busch Stadium II, hoping the Redbirds could get back on track.
Things didn't start out so well, when with two out, Aaron launched a Ray Washburn fastball over the center field wall for a quick 1-0 Atlanta lead. The Braves got something started again in the second-inning with two out - Clete Boyer doubled, Dennis Menke walked, and pitcher Denny Lemaster helped his own cause by lining a single to center, scoring Boyer. Just like that, it was 2-0.
The Cardinals tried to get something going in the third-inning, but came up empty - loading the bases with one out, only to have Alex Johnson strike out and Tim McCarver pop out. The natives were getting restless.
With the Cardinals still trailing 2-0, batting in the fifth-inning - Curt Flood drew a two-out walk, then Cepeda belted a double down the left-field line, but Flood had to stop at third. This brought the much-maligned Alex Johnson up to bat again, but this time he lined a single to center scoring both runners to tie the game, 2-2.
The Braves grabbed the lead again in the seventh-inning, when Felipe Alou lined a one-out double to right center field, followed by a Boyer infield hit which Javier couldn't get to in time to retire the not-so-speedy Boyer at first. With runners at first and third, Charlie Lau hit a slow roller to Maxvill at short, whose only play was a force out at second. Lau beat the relay to first, while Alou scored the go-ahead run.
The score was still 3-2, in favor of Atlanta, as they batted in the top of the ninth. With Larry Jaster now pitching for the Cardinals, Joe Torre dribbled one down the third base line for a rare infield hit. After Alou flew out to center, Jaster lost his control, walking the next two batters - Boyer and Martinez - to load the bases. Ron Willis relieved Jaster and got Lemaster (allowed to hit for himself) out on a pop fly to Javier at second. But Willis couldn't find the strike zone to Woodward, walking him to force in another run. A new pitcher, Joe Hoerner, struck out Geiger to stop the bleeding. But things didn't seem so promising with Lemaster heading back to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead.
The first batter for St Louis was pinch hitter Johnny Romano, who was on his way to hitting .121 in his tenth and final major league season - his first with the Cardinals. He failed to get a hit, but did the next best thing - he grounded one to Boyer at third, who booted it for an error, then inexplicably threw it wildly in the direction of first, which allowed Romano to amble into second base on the double-error. Dick Hughes was now the pinch runner for Johnny at second base.
Lemaster's night was suddenly over, as knuckle-ball specialist Phil Niekro was brought in from the Atlanta bullpen to face Lou Brock. A wild pitch moved Hughes up to third, then Brock's sacrifice fly to center scored him. It was now 4-3 with one out and nobody on. That changed quickly, as Niekro walked Julian Javier. Then with Curt Flood batting, Niekro's knuckle-ball was impossible for Torre to catch. His first passed ball allowed Javier to move up to second base.
An excited Harry Caray in the broadcast booth, sensed the inevitable: "If Flood can stay alive long enough, I just know he'll be able to take third! Torre just can't handle that knuckle-ball! There it is! Another passed ball! Hoolie's on his way to third! Safe! Holy cow!"
Flood then delivered the game tying hit - a single to center. With that, Niekro's night was over, as Clay Carroll took over, retiring Cepeda on strikes, then Maris on a fly ball to left.
With the game tied, 4-4, Al Jackson - the new pitcher for the Cardinals - retired the Braves in order in the tenth, as the Redbirds tried to win it in the bottom half. Clay Carroll went back to the mound, retiring McCarver on a routine ground out; but then Phil Gagliano beat out a slow roller down the third base line, as a beleaguered Clete Boyer couldn't make a play. Eddie Bressound then popped out to second, as the small crowd groaned, anticipating a momentum shift back to the Braves.
Not tonight. Bobby Tolan then ripped a fastball in the right center field gap, just out of the outstretched reach of Aaron, all the way to the wall. Tolan reached third even before Gagliano slid in safely with the winning run. It was over - a come-from-behind 5-4 extra-inning winner. Fortune had smiled down on the Redbirds tonight; but after what happened on Tuesday night in Cincy, they probably deserved it.
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