Game 3 in our MVP 2005 simulation of the current World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals was one for the ages. It will remind readers of the epic Game 1 only in perhaps a more epic fashion. I (remember playing as the Texas Rangers) was facing a two game deficit heading home for the three games to be played where my boys are most comfortable. It’s a big game because you simply can’t go down three games to none in the World Series and expect to win (it’s not the 2004 Red Sox Max). The good news? I prevailed in 18 innings 3-2 and gained all the momentum in the series.
Again, the story of the game was the pitching. An unbelievable performance by both starters lead to a scoreless game through 14 innings. Matt Morris of the Cardinals threw 11 shutout innings (yes, 11) and only gave up 3 hits. We will mention that the Rangers were consistently making better contact throughout the game. Surprise Game 3 Starter Ryan Drese pitched 8 shutout innings striking out 9 and made Max look silly all game with the changeup.
The real action picked up in the 15th when the Cardinals scraped across a run on a tired Ron Mahay (I’ve probably overused him but, what else do you do in the 15th inning of the WS?). The run was set up on a leadoff looping triple over the second baseman’s head… similar to most of the Cardinal’s hits today. Now comes the bottom of the 15th and Jeff Suppan is out there to try to finish his third inning. Two line drives outs leaves the Texas dugout in a state of despair. Richard Hidalgo calmly hits a 416 foot blast to centerfield on the first pitch he sees to tie the game and the whole momentum shifted.
I was unable to finish the deal in the 15th and grew increasingly thin in the pen. Top of the 18th and the Cardinals scrap across a run on a single off the pitchers foot, a pop up that falls in right center and a sac fly. I’m telling you, the Card’s didn’t hit well all game. Either way, they still had defacto closer Ray King available for the close and things looked grim for the Rangers yet again in the bottom of the 18th. Ray proved wholly ineffective and I jumped all over the “closer” for 4 hits and 2 earned to win the game while Ray only got the sac bunt out that was handed to him. Laynce Nix again proved his clutch hitting ability with a solid hit over the second baseman to walkoff with the game winner.
And with the classic 18th innning, the entire momentum of the series shifted. The lack of a true closer reared its head twice for the Cardinals and should be a major storyline throughout the story. Let’s see if the Cardinals have the mental fortitude to overcome a broken toe or if their confidence in the late inning guys are totally shot after this debacle of a save situation. Also, you can’t help but feel that the Rangers bats have finally awoken and the game could be a blowout if the Cardinals can’t figure out how to hit a changeup. The momentum has certainly shifted, I forsee Manager Max unable to slow the train as it heads for the wreck that will be his World Series aspirations this year.
Link of the Day: It just feels like a Barefoot Bluejean kind of night. Or does it NYtimes?
