Well, the Boys of St. Louis' summers pulled one out yesterday at the local home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies...but they certainly made everyone think it would end up differently.
Frankly, I'm not too surprised or upset that it took so long for the guys to win. That's the thing with this crew, both last year and seemingly this - never count them out. If you're up 5-1 (as the Phillies were yesterday), the Cardinals are more than capable of coming back to win, which they did.
What bothered me were really two things. First (in order of drama, impact, and frustration), Izzy yet again insisted on having the bases full before he agreed to put the Phillies away. I'll never understand it. He must like the rush, need the pressure, or something. It drives me nuts.
However, before that, we saw the Phillies bullpen simply unravel to surrender the win. The Cards were patient while hurler after hurler threw balls and wild pitches to not only walk the bases loaded, but walk two runs in. Yet, in the midst of this rally, Scotty Rolen comes to bat. Now, I love Scott Rolen. He's a phenominal 3rd basemen. He hustles all the time. He can swing a bat. Actually, that third one is what frustrated me yesterday.
Everyone involved and watching that game saw the horrible pitching the Phillies were doling out. Patience at the plate had already rewarded us with the lead. However, what did Rolen do? Rolen swings at the first pitch he sees. Was it a strike? From my vantage point, it would have been borderline. It didn't matter though. He had no count yet. Ball or strike, it made no difference. He would have seen at least another two pitches. Even if it was a strike, the pitchers hadn't put two strikes together back-to-back in a couple of innings - or at least within the inning. Rolen, had he been patient MIGHT have either seen a grooved pitch that he could have cranked from his wheelhouse OR he might have gotten a free trip to 1st base, sending one of his teammates in to score. But NO! He had to swing at a borderline pitch to end the inning and the rally. Uugh!
Had Izzy lost the game for us (like he tried), the Rolen bat would have made more of a difference. As it was, the 1-run advantage was enough. So, in the end, I'm happy. I don't care about good or bad wins. I just like wins. So, we won against a potentially rough Phillies lineup. Good for the Birds!
I hope today turns out as well, although it doesn't look like it will. :(
Later.