NLCS Game 7 : Sorry, We're Stuck Watching Ads For The O.C.





St. Louis 5, Houston 2

OK, hands up everyone who felt certain Jeff Suppan would outduel Roger Clemens. The former allowed a mere two runs and 3 hits over 6 innings, helping the Cardinals to their first World Series since 1987. He also put down a bunt in a perfectly executed squeeze play to score the Cardinals' first run. The latter, inexplicably pitched to Albert Pujols with first base open and the tying run on 3rd with two outs in the bottom half of the 6th. Pujols, later named the NLCS MVP, doubled home the tying run, and scored moments letter on Scott Rolen's 2 run line drive homer.

I've heard all the complaints that Jim Edmonds pads his own highlight reel by leaping for balls a faster outfielder would track down. Hey, as long as he gets there.

Yet another shining moment for Fox ; they missed Marlon Anderson's double to lead off the bottom of the 8th, their broadcast not coming back from a commercial until Edgar Renteria laid down a sacrifice bunt. There was no acknowledgment that action had been missed, nor did motormouth Steve Lyons feel compelled to explain how Anderson wound up on 2nd base. It wasn't as though this was a crucial spot in the game or anything. Bad enough that Fox can't be trusted to show an NLCS Game 7 from start to finish, but to pretend otherwise is just pitiful.

St. Louis, unbeaten at home in these playoffs, has now set the stage for a rematch of 1967 World Series with Boston. Woody Williams vs. Tim Wakefield isn't quite Bob Gibson versus Jim Lonborg, though if Wakefield were called upon to pitch on two days' rest, it wouldn't be the end of the world. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Posted: Fri - October 22, 2004 at 02:12 AM      

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