Cardinals Pull off Incredible Win to Send World Series to 1st Game 7 Since ‘02
- Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:01am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The St. Louis Cardinals bench erupts after David Freese hits a walk-off home run during the 11th inning of Game 6 of baseball's World Series against the Texas Rangers Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A drained Tony La Russa sat behind the podium, jersey gone and a blue towel draped around his neck,
“When you dream,” the St. Louis Cardinals manager said, “you dream about seventh game, all the heroics.”
After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination, it was too soon for La Russa to announce his Game 7 starter. His choice was whether to send ace Chris Carpenter to the mound on short rest Friday night or start Kyle Lohse or Edwin Jackson.
“This is a very important game and if you don’t want it, then there’s no need to be here,” Carpenter said.
Down to their final strike in the ninth and 10th, the Cardinals won Game 6 on David Freese’s 11th-inning homer off Mark Lowe. Afterward, La Russa still would not commit to a Game 7 starter.
“Just barely started to think about tomorrow, but actually it’ll be fun to think about it now because there is a Game 7,” he said. “Might just roll Jake (Westbrook) back out there. Who knows?”
Texas manager Ron Washington made his decision days ago, announcing he would stay in rotation and start Matt Harrison, the Game 3 loser. Washington could have gone with Game 4 winner Derek Holland on full rest or ace C.J. Wilson on short rest.
“Harrison has been a big part of this team all year,” Washington said. “I am not changing the things that I’ve been doing all year.”
The eight-year absence of baseball’s ultimate game is the longest since the World Series began in 1903. The Cardinals hold the record for most World Series Game 7s, going 7-3.
When a seventh game was last played in 2002, John Lackey pitched five innings of one-hit ball to lead the Anaheim Angels over the San Francisco Giants 4-1, completing a comeback from a 3-2 Series deficit. Lackey joined Babe Adams of the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates as the only rookie starters to win a seventh game, and the Angels became the eighth straight home team to triumph in Game 7 since the victory by Pittsburgh’s “We Are Family” team at Baltimore in 1979.
In 2001, Randy Johnson came out of the bullpen on no days’ rest and the Diamondbacks rallied for two runs in the ninth inning against Mariano Rivera, beating the Yankees 3-2 on Luis Gonzalez’s broken-bat single.
“When you’re a little kid, you think about the seventh game of the World Series,” Gonzalez said. “It didn’t matter how the hit came.”
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese hits a solo home run off a pitch by Texas Rangers' Mark Lowe in the 11th inning of Game 6 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, in St. Louis.
While the Cardinals are seeking their 11th title, the Rangers are going for the first in the 51-year history of the franchise, which began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961. The team moved to Texas for the 1972 season.
“We’ve been backed into a corner for the last two months,” the Cardinals’ Skip Schumaker said, “so we know what it feels like.”
Carpenter won the opener, then allowed two runs in seven innings in Game 5 on Monday night, giving up solo homers to Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre. He didn’t get a decision in the Cardinals 4-2 loss but is 3-0 with a 3.30 ERA in five postseason appearances.
He would be just the second pitcher since 1991 to make three Series starts, following Arizona’s Curt Schilling a decade ago. But it would be just the second career start on three days’ rest for the 36-year-old, who has come back from several arm injuries.
After pitching a two-hit shutout at Houston on the last night of the regular season to help clinch the NL wild card, Carpenter gave up four runs over three innings in Game 2 of the division series at Philadelphia. He didn’t get a decision as the Cardinals rallied to win 5-4.
During the last two decades, starters on short rest are 9-8 with a 2.78 ERA in the World Series, with their teams going 12-15, according to STATS LLC.
“I learned what my body’s going to feel like, what my stuff’s going to be like,” Carpenter said. “You go out there and you make pitches. We’ll see what happens. Everybody’s going to be ready tomorrow, I can tell you that.”
Lohse, who would be pitching on five days’ rest, was pulled after three innings in Game 3, and the Cardinals went on to win 16-7 against Harrison, who was let down by his defense and allowed five runs – two unearned – in 3 2-3 innings. Jackson struggled with his control and walked seven in 5 1-3 innings as St. Louis lost 4-0 in Game 4.
Hall of Famer Bob Gibson started three Game 7s for the Cardinals, winning in 1964 and 1967 and losing in 1968 – all with complete games.
In 1926, Babe Ruth was thrown out trying to steal second base for the final out as the Cardinals beat the Yankees 3-2. And in 1946, the score was tied at 3 in the eighth when the Cardinals‘ Enos Slaughter scored from first on Harry Walker’s hit as Boston Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky hesitated with his relay after receiving the throw from outfielder Leon Culberson.
Other great moments include Edgar Renteria’s 11th-inning single that won the 1997 title for Florida against Cleveland, Gene Larkin’s 10th-inning single that gave Minnesota a 1-0 win over Atlanta in 1991 behind Jack Morris’ seven-hitter, and Bill Mazeroski’s Series-ending home run in 1960 that lifted Pittsburgh over the Yankees 10-9.
“Every day of my life, I think about that home run,” Mazeroski said. “Wouldn’t you?”
Forty years before losing to the Angels, the Giants fell 1-0 in Game 7 to the Yankees when Bobby Richardson gloved Willie McCovey’s line drive to end the game with Willie Mays stranded at second.
While in New York, the Giants lost two especially painful seventh games.
In 1912 against the Red Sox, which actually was the eighth game because of a 6-6 tie in Game 2, the Giants took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning. They were one out from winning when Fred Snodgrass dropped a routine fly ball in center field. Tris Speaker‘s single tied the score and Larry Gardner’s sacrifice fly won it 3-2.
In 1924, Earl McNeely‘s grounder bounced over rookie third baseman Freddie Lindstrom’s head to bring home Muddy Ruel with the winning run in the 12th inning, giving the original Washington Senators a 4-3 victory.
Brooklyn fans treasure Johnny Podres’ 2-0 win in 1955 over the Yankees, who beat the Dodgers in the Series five times previously. Sandy Koufax pitched a shutout on two days‘ rest in 1965 as Los Angeles defeated Minnesota’s Jim Kaat 2-0, and Lew Burdette pitched a shutout on two days‘ rest in 1957 to lead the Milwaukee Braves over the Yankees’ Don Larsen 5-0.
In 1975, Cincinnati’s Joe Morgan got the go-ahead hit off Boston’s Jim Burton – who never pitched in the major leagues again – to give the Reds a 4-3 victory at Fenway Park. The Mets overcame a 3-0 deficit against the Red Sox in Game 7 in 1986 as Ray Knight and Darryl Strawberry homered in an 8-5 victory.
“The experience of Game 7,” La Russa said, “is something they’ll never forget.”
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lukerw
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 4:06pmGame 6 of the WS… should be recorded for history… as a Game… between Clowns… where any unusual event that you ever have seen… was reproduced! I laughed myself silly :)
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 2:34pmIf I had a vote for Series Cardinal MVP, I would have a hard time deciding between Freese and Craig!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »JackSprat
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 2:29pmI was at game #6 last night. It was an experience that I would have a hard time trading for any other experience in my life other that the births of my children. No matter what happens in game #7, game #6 will be the game that will be talked about forever in baseball lore. The Cardinal fans are gracious fans and are into the intricacies of the game, they know when a good play is made even by the opponents. It was the greatest game ever and the Texas fans in the stadium were also very gracious. The whole episode was “magical”!
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 3:58pmNicely put, Jack. I’m a third generation St. Louis Cardinals fan, and I have nothing but respect for the Texas Rangers. It’s been a great series against a great team and franchise no matter what happens tonight.
When David Freese went after a foul ball and collided with the railing around the photographers’ pit, the first person to help him was Elvis Andrus. Nice.
I feel tired and spent today after watching that roller coaster of a game last night.
Report Post »jsDway
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 2:18pmThere would be no baseball without the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees! What great baseball franchises, the history of these two teams are awesome! I have been a Cardinal fan since my Grandfather Tyler listened to them back in the 50′s! GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 12:39pm“Harrison has been a big part of this team all year,” Washington said. “I am not changing the things that I’ve been doing all year.”
Just one reason you could never have the success LaRussa has
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 12:03pmIf Larussa is such a classy guy he would have said something to stop Carpenter from his yelling Goid’s name in vane! Let me manage him, he would shut up or be gone. They have no class because of this moron who does it over and over without restraint from the team or the manager. Vile house of cards….No class.
Report Post »Ofra1
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 1:55pmDustyluv.. don’t hate!!
Report Post »ofallon
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:44amI skipped school and slept in the bleacher line to see the Cardinals play in ‘64.
Report Post »I left in the 7th inning during game 4 against the Red Sox in ‘04.
But I’ve never seen anything like last night.
DavidInStLouis
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:17amWooHOO!! What a great game!! Can’t wait for tonight! :D
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:38amIt was a great game!!!
Report Post »tnturner
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:50amIt‘s been a good series let alone last night’s game. But they’ve been swapping wins so Texas is due tonight.
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:43amThat‘s My Boy’s!!! Cardinals just rocked the house!
Report Post »I gotta say though that Texas is a GREAT team. But
wow… just WOW! One of the most entertaining games
I have ever seen in my 50 years watching the Cards…
jpperuzi
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:36amMY, MY .. are you always this angry?!?
Report Post »PureDrumFury
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:24amAs a lifelong St. Louis resident, I have to say that Cardinals baseball fans are the best in the sport. The team is a class act roughly 99% of the time (the pressure on these guys is immense, and everyone is prone to human emotion). They consistently deliver harrowing seasons full of drama (In August we were all but out of the playoffs) and a hell of a lot of World Championships. And the St. Louis fans have to be some of the best in all of sports. I’m not gay, but at Hot Shots last night I hugged around 10 guys I don’t know.
As for the game, you couldn’t write a better story. Freese has been one of our best players, but to see him drop that easy fly ball early broke a lot of hearts. Then to have him be the one to triple to tie the game, and hit the walk-off to end it… Wow. Storybook fassion right there.
I’m so proud to be a Cards fan. RALLY THE SQUIRRELLS!! ONE MORE GAME!!! The is going to be a WS for the ages, win or lose. GO CARDS!!
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:44amAs a Loyal Texas Ranger Fan I have to tip my hat for not giving up. But TEXAS GAME 7 WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! It was a good run for the cardinals but Texas is going to bring it home!!
Report Post »slickmeister
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:46amFreese has become a legend in STL with is performance throughout the playoffs. The clutch triple in the 9th and the HR in the 11th have sealed his place among the all time Cardinal greats.
What a performance from the hometown Lafayette High kid!
GO REDBIRDS!!!!!!
Report Post »Ofra1
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 2:05pmHahahaa… you‘re not the first guy I’ve heard talk about hugging so many guys… so you’re okay!! You’re with the majority!! GO CARDS!!!!
Report Post »bhohater
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:51amThe most evenly matched teams I’ve ever seen in a World Series. Too bad one has to lose, both are class-acts. No showboating going on, just baseball the way it is supposed to be played.
Report Post »USNSPARKS
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:03amWhatever the American League plays is anything but baseball. Baseball is played with nine players not ten. Using a DH is nothing but a huge joke. Until the AL goes back to real baseball what they play may as well be called “sissy ball”, it sure as Hell isn’t baseball!
Report Post »davidwjohnson
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:36amSaw the extra innings of the game and came to two conclusions:
1) The Texas manager is the dumbest strategist.
2) The game was fixed to have a 7th game.
In my opinion, Texas had the game won and intentionally gave it away.
Report Post »StandingUpInIL
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:21amWow. Really? You really believe that?!
Report Post »slickmeister
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:41amYou’re insane. No way Texas participates in a scam like that.
Report Post »bhohater
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:46amHave to disagree with you my friend. Baseball is a hard game to rig. Aside from the fact that hitting a round ball traveling at 90-plus MPH with a round bat is very difficult, the results of what happens when someone does hit it vary too much. The best hitters are only successful 3 out of 10 times.
Report Post »MARCH4HIM
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:41amI can understand why someone would think “the fix was in”.
Report Post »The last few innings of that game, playing out the way it did ,
would have to be… crazy odds..
But thats why… baseball is the American pastime…
you cant make this up.
And there is no way a team,
so close to winning the championship,would thorw a game
that ties the teams… 3-3 … to stretch out the series.
If it was 3-1 …you could ..make that arguement.. but
CARDINALS WON THIS STRAIGHT -UP.
GREAT GAME.
lillymckim
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:46amNo way!.. even if he wanted to give it away
(why would he do that managers get fired when they lose) Joe Torre? Terry Francona?
he doesn’t actually get to PLAY in the game
the ball players do
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:52amMaybe if the UMP would actually call a ball when it is 6 inches out of the strike zone that would help too. Texas got screwed by the ump last night. Let’s call a spade a spade.
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 12:48pmBetter check his birth certificate,I also think he planned 911
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 3:35pmYeah, RIGHT — Like that home run was somehow ‘faked’ so the Cards would win just to get to Game 7?
It’s obvious that you have never played baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:31amGo Cardinals!!!
Report Post »SICKOFLIBSBULSH
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 8:33amWho is the G Damn proofreader for this site? “pull of” really, not “PULL OFF”? Who is the F’n moron in charge of proof reading these stories? Fix the headline or close this site down and hire someone that can proof read at least the headlines.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:25amnot a fan of either team, cheering for both teams if that makes sense and last night was one of the greatest games i ever watched. Great lesson , you are never down and out until the last out. Great lesson for kids
Report Post »Barack Oburgundy
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 8:00amThat was one of the most incredible games I’ve ever seen!,!!!
Report Post »Pujols
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 8:10amIt looked like it was over 4 or 5 times. WOW!
Report Post »Barack Oburgundy
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:59amGo crazy folks go crazy!!!!
Report Post »BertM
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:54amWatched the game. It was a slugfest. Cardinals really want the series.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:43amHey Jonathon Seidl, couldn’t you at least proof read the headline?
Report Post »Cardinals Pull of Incredible Win?
kickagrandma
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:22amPRAYING ON!!!
The word “incredible” would read AWFUL for Rangers’ fans!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:48am… what a game!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:16am.
Report Post »Texas sucks! Congrats to St. Louis you will make great Champions……………
TexasHunter
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:56amReally 2 years back to back. Think you may need to reconsider your thoughts. I will see you here Monday when we hold the trophy high and proud with dignity as no other team deserves to win as much as the Rangers. GO RANGERS!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 7:12amThe Rangers will take care of the house of vile cards tonight. I will watch with the sound turned down so I dont have to hear Carpenter scream GD like he did in the other games….
Report Post »EyeofthePatriot
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:44amVile Cards? Haha… of course I don’t support Carpenter screaming out anything of the sort. But are you kidding me… the vile Cards? I’m not so sure where you get your info, but they are one of the most classy teams in the game. And it all starts at the top with Larussa all the way through Pujols himself who can be considered a true living Legend of the game.
Sorry, but your comment has little to no basis at all. =/
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