Chris Carpenter outwits Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 to guide St. Louis Cardinals to NLCS – MLB Update
Chris Carpenter tossed a three-hitter to outpitch Roy Halladay and guide St. Louis Cardinals to a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Friday, October 7 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Showing immense arm strength and valour, Carpenter became only the sixth pitcher over the last 30 seasons to hurl a complete game shut-out in an eliminator and the first ever to do it in Game 5 of NLDS. The last pitcher to throw a shut-out in a deciding
game was Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa had earlier highlighted the fact that although Halladay might be superior in terms of silverware, Carpenter falls in the same category as far as talent and technique is concerned. After getting a no-decision in his previous
start, Cardinals’ ace bounced back effectively to comprehensively win his start.
Rafael Furcal’s run for the Cardinals in the first inning proved to be the only difference between both teams and subsequently both pitchers. Skip Schumaker drove in a double towards right-field for Furcal to complete his run and register a lead that proved
to be incontrovertible in the end.
Halladay pitched eight innings thereafter, but Philadelphia’s offence failed to counter Carpenter’s fierce pitching. Shane Victorino and Chase Utley combined went 3-for-6 while all other batters failed to connect even once.
Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel had repeatedly voiced his desire of achieving nothing less than a World Series title this year. However, talking to reporters after the game, Manuel said, "Actually, I don't know what to say. I just got through talking to
our team, and basically when I look at it, we played 162 games, and definitely we had the best record in baseball."
Manuel reiterated that the team had the capability of going farther than this in the post-season, but the team seems to choke in pressure situations. This is now the second year running that the Phillies have failed prior to the World Series.
The Cardinals will now take on Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series to fight it out for the pennant.
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