Astros Play Spoilers, Beat Cardinals 5-4

by David Coleman on Sep 27, 2011 12:16 AM CDT in Houston Astros News

That was about as fun as I could have imagined. It's been a long time since I got that invested in a game, but the Astros pulled me into it. As the game rolled along, it started feeling inevitable that the Cardinals would make the comeback.

However, when that comeback stalled without them getting the go-ahead run, and when the Astros kept at it...well, I was pretty pumped when that run came home in the 10th.

And Angel Sanchez being the man who did it? What must Tim have thought??

Wandy Rodriguez pitched well enough to get the win, Matt Downs added a home run and the rest of the team did well enough. But, this game was much more about the Cardinals in their playoff quest. With the Braves loss finishing up before this one ended, the Cards had to know they needed this game. With two to play now, this thing is either headed for a playoff or something more. Will the Cards sweep Houston? Can they count on the Phillies sweeping Atlanta? If the Braves win, combined with another Houston victory, the Cards are done. That's a satisfying sentence to write.

The only bad part of this game was that Lance Berkman was almost the big hero for the Cardinals. As much as his presence on LaRussa's Bunch hasn't really bothered me, that would have. I don't need to see Lancelot taking a victory lap in the World Series for the Cards. I have my fan limits, you know.

So, tomorrow is another day. If it's as productive as this one, the end to this season might be pretty nice.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The only downside to this...

…dramatic, spectacular, nail biter, is that Wandy didn’t get the win. Make no mistake, the Cardinals designed this team around a great lineup and good pitching, so the fact that he held them to two runs is pretty outstanding.

by Its Gonna Happen on Sep 27, 2011 1:46 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Oh....

AND I want Matt Downs as the 2nd baseman next year. He’s done a good job with the bat this year and has earned a starting job. Altuve NEEDS more time. I think this call up has opened his eyes a little and shown him that he can’t skate by on first pitch fastballs. He has to learn to recognize pitches, he has to learn to hit breaking balls, and he has to learn how to bunt. You can’t be a little-to-no power guy in the MLB and not be able to put down a bunt. Matt DOWNTOWNS could be the second baseman we were hoping for with Hall, or better.

by Its Gonna Happen on Sep 27, 2011 1:57 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Satisfying game. Now we need a 2d win in this series.

by clack on Sep 27, 2011 7:23 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Any chance Downs can become the super utility guy a la Ben Zobrist and just bounce around the field. I know he’s stretched at short, end center is definitely not an option but other than that he could probably play anywhere.

by conroestro on Sep 27, 2011 9:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

That I think is the plan

Third, Second, First, Right, maybe Catch in a pinch; and of course Pinch Hitter Extraordinaire

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 27, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

That’s not a bad analogy at all. I hope Downs can become a Zobrist-type. Although Zobrist is probably a better defender than Downs.

by jmike on Sep 27, 2011 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions

LaRussa messed up taking Berkman out of the game

Good chance Berkman woud have done the Astros in if he batted next time his slot came up. He makes a habit of that.

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 27, 2011 10:12 AM CDT reply actions

I don’t think that went unnoticed by Cardinals’ fans at vivaelbirdos.com. They were upset with LaRussa over a whole host of moves, including the PRer for Berkman and taking Garcia out of the game too early (thereby leaving Dotel as the late game pitcher).

by clack on Sep 27, 2011 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I’ll give you the Berkman thing, but Garcia always gets lit up by Astros. No reason to think if he had stayed in the game longer, he would not have given up several more runs.

by jmike on Sep 27, 2011 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

The Importance of George Springer

by ntn 12 days ago

27 comments | 2 recs

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Current Series

3 game series vs Dodgers @ Dodger Stadium

Fri 05/25	WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3) SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2)	3 - 1 win
Sat 05/26	WP: Kenley Jansen (4 - 0) LP: Wesley Wright (0 - 1)	3 - 6 loss
Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes @ Los Angeles Dodgers True Blue LA Sunday, May 27, 2012, 3:10 PM CDT Dodger Stadium J.A. Happ vs Chris Capuano Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. Complete Coverage >

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Cincinnati Red Reporter	26	20	.565	0	Won 1
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	25	22	.531	1.5	Lost 3
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	22	24	.478	4	Lost 1
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	22	24	.478	4	Won 2
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	19	27	.413	7	Lost 1
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	15	31	.326	11	Lost 11