St. Louis Cardinals’ bull-pen falters in World Series Game 2 – MLB update
St. Louis Cardinals’ bull-pen had become a force to reckon in the postseason. No one would have predicted a failure for Jason Motte and company, but it had to come sooner or later. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it came in Game 2 of the World Series, just
when the team had aimed of gaining a 2-0 lead over the Texas Rangers in the seven-game series.
The Cardinals overcame a resilient opposition from the Rangers in Game 1 to subdue the latter 3-2, largely helped by Motte’s immaculate pitching in the ninth inning. Impressed by the closer’s form, manager Tony La Russa executed the same plan in Game 2,
but failed this time around.
La Russa removed starter Jaime Garcia from the mound after the Cardinals established a one-run lead over the Rangers, who are desperate for their first World Series title after having lost to San Francisco Giants in last year’s Fall Classic.
Allen Craig, continuing from his last game’s form, drove in a single for NLCS MVP David Freese to give the bull-pen a lead to play with. Fernando Salas and Marc Rzepczynski combined to pitch a perfect eighth for the Cardinals, pushing the game into the last
inning and giving an advantage to Motte.
However, failing to capitalise on the situation, Motte leaked two runs without inflicting any damage to the Rangers, who went on to win the game and subsequently level the series at one-each.
The Rangers became only the third team in the history of Majors to split the first two games of the World Series. They also improved on their performance from last year where the Giants won the first two games and went on to win the crown in five games.
"It takes one hit, it takes one bad pitch in a one-run ballgame," Motte said. "A guy can hit a home run [if] you miss your spot a little bit. That's the name of the game. You go out there, and your job is to get people out. Every out is important. Every
out is big. You don't want anyone to get on."
The series now shifts to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the next three games starting Saturday, October 22.
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