St. Louis Cardinals’ Skip Schumaker departs during Game 4 with cramp – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker had to leave the crucial Game 4 of the National League Division Series after he had a left hamstring cramp. At-bat in the fifth inning, he showed signs of pain after a fly ball hit against Hunter Pence.
"It was a weird thing," he said. "Maybe too much caffeine, too much excitement -- I don't know what was going on. Every time I swung or sat down, it would lock up...... It's not a pull or anything. It's just a cramp. I've had it before."
Schumaker proved his worth in Wednesday’s game with three at-bats, having two important hits and scoring a run. As invaluable as his contribution was, he would have done more for the team if his fitness was not a problem.
Despite what prompted an unavoidable departure, there was good news that awaited him and the team. The St. Louis Cardinals came down hard on the Philadelphia Phillies and won the game 5-3.
The win, beyond any shadow of doubt, will prove to be reassuring for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Phillies seemed all charged up to beat the Cardinals out of the National League Division Series in the Game 4 since they had 2-1 lead.
Now that the series is in one of the most important and decisive phases, Game 5 is to be played on Friday, October 7, as the Cardinals will definitely want him back. Nonetheless, all depends on his quick recovery.
Schumaker has a total of five at-bats in the NLDS, having had three hits with a .600 average. He had an impressive .283 average in the regular season with 117 games and 367 at-bats, with 104 hits and 38 RBIs.
Although Schumaker jokingly said he was glad he was out of game, he knows the next encounter is important. "I'm glad I got taken out of the game," Schumaker joked. "I don't know what was going to happen next."
It remains to be seen whether he recovers quick enough to play the final game of the NLDS. The Cardinals will certainly want him back before the game starts on Friday.
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