Game Chatter -- 4/24/05 Cards go for sweep

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Matt Morris is set to make his second start, after holding the Pirates to 1 run on 4 hits in 6 innings his last time out. The Astros counter with Brandon Backe, who's 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA so far this year, after going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA vs. the Cards last year in 2 starts and 4 relief appearances. He also kept the Cards down in Game 5 of the NLCS last October, giving up just 1 hit in 8 strong innings down in Houston, but was roughed up to the tune of 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings in his Game 1 start of that same NLCS, played at Busch.

On a side note, a win would give TLR a total of 2,126 major league victories as a manager, good for sole possession of 5th place on the all-time list. Tony needs just 81 total victories this season to move ahead of Sparky Anderson for 3rd place on that list.

Posted by John at April 24, 2005 01:20 PM
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The official scorer took away Rolen's error and gave a hit to Everett. I guess Mulder's day isn't nearly as good with five hits in ten innings as four hits in ten. Oh well, maybe the bats will pick up soon.

Posted by: Iron_Throne at April 24, 2005 01:28 PM

Another 'productive out' from Walker.

Posted by: Iron_Throne at April 24, 2005 01:33 PM

Back to back triples by Rolen and Sanders!

Posted by: John at April 24, 2005 01:38 PM

And then a "productive double" by Walker.

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 02:18 PM

Another "productive base-hit" by Walker.

And how 'bout L'il David Eckstein? A pair of hard-hit doubles and it's only the 3rd inning!

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 02:33 PM

I guess Matty has put in his day at the office... I've got a feeling he'd have been kept in to pitch the 6th if he hadn't thrown 90-some pitches...but since he's probably on a 100-pitch limit, they may as well pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the 5th..

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 03:05 PM

You always want that six-run lead in case Al Reyes gives up a couple of bases-clearing doubles.

Backe with a Jeter-esque play to erase Eckstein.

Posted by: Rob at April 24, 2005 03:06 PM

...bases loaded nobody out after Morris's departure...

'Stros one swing away from this being am 8-6 ballgame...

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 03:12 PM

Journell has no idea where the ball's going.

Posted by: Rob at April 24, 2005 03:15 PM

That's not a triple play.

Posted by: Rob at April 24, 2005 03:19 PM

TRIPLE PLAY!!!!

Although I don't understand how Tavarez is out... he was standing on the bag after Biggio had been retired... the force is off..

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 03:21 PM

Looks like you're right... as much as I dislike it from the Cards perspective, I like that the umps got together and made sure they got the right call.

Posted by: John at April 24, 2005 03:22 PM

Okay, no triple play, run scores....

Posted by: salvo at April 24, 2005 03:22 PM

I'm amazed Grudzielanek ever gets any walks on 2-strike counts. He hacked at everything just now.

Posted by: Rob at April 24, 2005 03:56 PM