Pete Kozma reenergises the St. Louis Cardinals' offence – NLDS Update
St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, October 10, were able to overcome the Washington Nationals, with 8-0 win, by an incredibly aggressive offence, backed by effective defence put by the starter and relief pitchers.
It was rookie Pete Kozma who came forward as one of the most prolific batters out there in the team’s remarkable 8-0 victory in the National League Division Series against one of the best teams of the National League.
Pete Kozma had a three-run homer in the second inning to put the Cardinals in a leading position and making things difficult for the Nationals as far as getting back in the game is concerned.
"I was just looking for a pitch in the zone," said Kozma, becoming only the second St. Louis Cardinals' shortstop to have a three-run RBI in a postseason game. "[I] put it out in the outfield." Before Kozma, it was Marty Marion who had achieved this distinction back in 1946 World Series game against the Boston Red Sox.
St. Louis Cardinals made it to the postseason game with the Wild Card berth. They had done it the past year wherein they played phenomenally well against the rivals to finally clinch the World Series title.
Defending the championship here, they seem in full form once again, all set to outshine the rival teams in the Division. David Freese, who had played an instrumental role in the Cardinals' offence last year, stated that the Cardinals are a force to reckon with once each player is clicking.
"When everybody's clicking, we're dangerous. I think everybody knows that," Freese said. "We're feeling good right now, but we're going to get some sleep today, turn the page and come ready to go just as focused as we have been."
Pete Kozma, having appeared in 26 regular season game, held .333 batting average with two home-runs and 14 RBIs to his credit in 72 at-bats. In remaining postseason games, it will be interesting to see how important his role remains in the offence which is a source of strength for the Cardinals and has helped them almost invariably.
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