Cards Fail to Take Advantage of Opportunities, Lose 3-2
By Editorial Staff
For the most part, the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 regular season was defined by two main storylines: Their ability to pull off thrilling come-from-behind victories, and their uncanny knack for hitting into double plays. Unfortunately, it was the negative storyline that prevailed here in game three of the NLDS. After Tuesday’s disappointing 3-2 loss to the Phillies, the Cardinals find themselves in a do or die situation trailing 2-1 in the best of five series. Check out some stats and analysis from tonight’s game after the jump.
For the first time in this series, there were no runs put on the board early. Starters Jaime Garcia and Cole Hamels were each able to cruise through the first six innings without allowing a run. Both teams were in a position to snatch a W until Ben Francisco’s pinch-hit three run homer in the top of the seventh blew the game wide open. Tony La Russa elected to intentionally walk Carlos Ruiz, and Francisco made him pay in a big way. Garcia ended up throwing 26 pitches in the seventh inning after throwing just 51 through the first five, and he allowed a home run after the sixth inning for the first time all year. He ended up with the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings.
While the game was essentially decided on that one play, the Cardinals certainly had their chances in this game. With 12 hits and 4 walks, St. Louis managed just two runs on 16 base-runners. That is not a formula that’s going to get the job done in October. The Cards left a total of 14 runners on base, highlighted by Allen Craig’s inning-ending GIDP with the bases loaded and the tying run in scoring position in the eighth inning. For a team that grounded into an NL record 169 double plays this season, the problem is all too familiar.
The Cardinals made yet another attempt at a comeback as Albert Pujols led off the ninth with a double and Yadier Molina drove him in to cut the lead to one with a two-out single, but it was not to be this time. Ryan Madson collected a five-out save and Philadelphia stole one on the road in front of an emotional Busch Stadium crowd.
I’m not sure what’s more frustrating here: The fact that the Cardinals lost a very winnable game or the fact that they missed so many damn opportunities in the process.
Much is being made of TLR’s decision to pass over Ruiz to get to a pinch hitter, but I don’t necessarily have a problem with that. Give Francisco credit. He made us pay. If anything, I think the wrong decision came when La Russa elected not to pinch hit for Garcia in the sixth. Yes he was pitching well at that point, but in a scoreless game, you have to send out a pinch hitter with a runner in scoring position, especially considering that you have a solid bullpen to rely on.
Look, none of this would have mattered if the Cards could have capitalized on their chances and cashed in with RISP. A quality start by Garcia went to waste, and I’d be surprised if Edwin Jackson can follow suit tomorrow.
The Cardinals are obviously no stranger to a backs-against-the-wall situation, but teams leading 2-1 in the NLDS have gone on to win the series 16 out of 17 times. The Cardinals will need to win two straight to advance to the NLCS, but it all starts tomorrow in St. Louis by forcing a game five. I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t slightly concerned right now, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned this season, it’s to not count this team out until it’s all said and done.
Check out some additional facts from game three here.