2011 World Series Game 6 (and 7)

To have it all come down to needing one more strike, not once but twice, is the most painful way to go. Twice the Rangers were one strike away from World Champions and twice they came up empty. After Game 6 (where the Cardinals came back five times) one could see the scenario for Game 7: Rangers take a two run lead in the top of the first, Cardinals come back to tie it in the bottom of the first and it was over.

2011 World Series Game 6

One word: @#$$%%^^&!

2011 World Series Game 6 Postponed

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Not to belittle an historic event, but I understand a little better those guys who were all set to go to France the night of June 4/5 and got called back to go again the next day.

2011 World Series Game 5

Na-Po-Li!
Once again the catcher hits a double in the eighth inning (appropriate for the number eight hitter) to give the Rangers the lead, 4-2, in the game, and to lead the Series three games to two with Game 6 in St. Louis. It was a game of sin and redemption. David Murphy bobbles a ball in left field allowing the runners to advance but gets two key hits. Mitch Moreland Bill Buckner's a ball at first allowing a run but then hits a mammoth shot to right that gets the Rangers back in the game. No sins from Adrian Beltre, just the usual vacuum cleaner style of play at third and a homer to left on one knee. And then there is Napoli... thank you Mike Sciosia!
The strange thing/controversy about the Napoli double is that LaRussa didn't bring in his closer to face Napoli. This made the game worthy to be mentioned on all the ESPN shows this morning. LaRussa claims that no one in the bullpen heard the phone ring to get Mott up and throwing...it was too loud. Very few people are buying it. Perhaps LaRussa got flustered because he was being outmanaged. If Mott wasn't ready and he was supposed to be there is an easy way around it. Claim your pitcher is feeling tightness in his arm and can't pitch anymore. The reliever who comes in due to injury is given all the time he needs to warm up. According to the rules:

8.03 When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning, or when he relieves another pitcher, he shall be permitted to pitch not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during which play shall be suspended. A league by its own action may limit the number of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatory pitches. Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire-in-chief shall allow him as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary. (source mlb.com)

'nuff said.

2011 World Series Games 3 and 4

Game 3 was horrible, enough said.
But Game 4 made up for it. Derek Holland pitched 8 1/3 innings allowing only two hits, no runs. When he's on, he's one of the top starting pitchers, but when he's bad, look out. Mike Napoli's three run homer was awesome.

2011 World Series Game 2

The Series is now tied at two games apiece. I think Wash said it best, this is not one for the faint of heart. I have to admit I was concerned. When he brought Ogando in to face Craig it looked to be a repetition of the first game...and it was. A single hit to right field. I suppose the numbers say that is the best bet but what about that elusive quantity known as "feel"? Lewis was surviving, and if you're looking to get one out, the man is Gonzalez. If this was a mistake, it was the same one Tony "the Genius" LaRussa made in the top of the ninth. Men on second and third, none out, a gimpy Josh Hamilton coming to the plate. The only power Josh has shown is a deep fly out against Arthur "Tuffy" Rhodes. So what does LaRussa do? He plays the percentages, takes out his virtually unhittable closer and brings in a lefty: Tuffy. Result: Fly ball to right field, Kinsler tags and scores, Andrus tags and reaches third. Michael Young then flies out, deep enough to score Andrus, and then its Feliz time.
The two heroes are Kinsler and Andrus. Their defensive play kept the game close and the two hits in the ninth and a stolen base by Kinsler won the game.

World Series 2011 Game 1

So, on a cold, rainy night in the middle of October, the World Series began in St. Louis. It was a close, well-played game, but, unfortunately the Rangers lost. C. J. Wilson had his best postseason outing but it wasn't enough. The only question I have for Wash is why he brought Ogando in basically to face one batter. Isn't that Gonzalez's role? Game 2 is tonight.