Tony La Russa’s dependence on bull-pen causes St. Louis Cardinals Game 2 – MLB Update
St. Louis Cardinals’ scheming manager Tony La Russa made a tactical error in Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday, October 20 which eventually led the team to a 1-2 loss against the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Cardinals had an opportunity to gain a valuable 2-0 lead in the seven-game series, but a ninth inning rally by the Rangers saw the visitors take-over the Cardinals and level the series at one-each.
In Game 1, La Russa called Chris Carpenter from the mound after the Cardinals gained a lead over the Rangers and then employed his bull-pen to ensure that the Redbirds fly through safely. However, this strategy did not pay off in Game 2 and closer Jason
Motte eventually lost the game for the Cardinals, leaking two runs in the ninth inning after Fernando Salas and Marc Rzepczynski combined in the eighth inning to hold the advantage for the National League Wild Card entrants.
Picking up from where Carpenter had left in Game 1, Garcia pitched seven pristine innings for the Cardinals to increase the gulf between both teams. However, when David Freese took the Cardinals to a lead in the seventh inning, La Russa quickly relieved
his starter in a bid to win the game with his bull-pen, a trick he had employed on numerous occasions previously.
Here, however, the Rangers were competent enough of this ploy and saved their best for the end. After Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton gave the visitors a lead in the ninth inning, Neftali Feliz pitched a perfect ninth to ensure the win for the American League
pennant winners, who are making their second consecutive appearance in the World Series.
Explaining his strategy, La Russa said, "Mostly, it comes down to you make a move, and if it works, 'Hey, what a good move.' If it doesn't work, 'What was he thinking?' That's just the name of the game."
Motte did not have much to say in his defence after the game and explained that with Tony, his job is to pitch when his skipper tells him to. La Russa reiterated that Motte is one of the closers for the club and not the only choice, hinting that he might
change alliance in the next game.
Tags: