For Pujols of St. Louis, a Night for the Ages - Baseball

ARLINGTON, Texas - Babe Ruth, twice. Reggie Jackson. Albert Pujols. This is the complete list of players with three home runs in a game of World Series.

"I think it is," said Matt Holliday, who attended Pujols of St. Louis "on deck circle on Saturday night. "The guy is a player in a single generation. It should be something in the World Series of this kind. "

In a performance intended to be engraved in bronze on a plaque in Cooperstown, Pujols has produced one of the biggest night has never been a hitter in the World Series. He went 5 for 6 with three homers and six RBIs, leading the Cardinals to a 16-7 rout of Texas in Game 3 at Rangers Ballpark.

Paul Molitor is the only player to have Pujols out five hits in a game of World Series, and Pujols set a record for total bases with 14. Smoothly in the first two games at Busch Stadium, where the error in the ninth inning helped the Rangers win Game 2, Pujols broke out Saturday night, putting his team two wins of a title.

"I did not walk into the ballpark today, thinking I was going to have a night like this," said Pujols. "I was walking to the order of magnitude with the attitude that I everyday -. To help this ballclub to win "

Pujols night was already history when he came to bat with two outs in the ninth against left-hander Darren Oliver. In the meantime, he was one of only two players - Tim Salmon was the other - with two home runs from four hits in a World Series game.

The Cardinals led by eight points, and Pujols said he thought to ask manager Tony La Russa to take away a hitter. Perhaps, Pujols said, the little-used Gerald Laird would fight for him, and then replaced at first base.

But Pujols did not, and La Russa bats leave, saying he respected the Rangers' offense too much to replace their best hitter. With a number of 2-2, Pujols lofted a foul pop that drifted high in the stands, just beyond the reach of first baseman Mike Napoli.

Holliday said it was a ball Pujols would have crushed; Pujols knew it too.

"He smiled kind of like," Man, that could have been the third, "said Holliday." Then he did the next pitch. "

Pujols sent a missile into the left field seats, tying Ruth (1926 and 1928) and Jackson (1977) for single record of the game Home Run. The night Jackson was more theatrical - he came into the tire at Yankee Stadium on three consecutive pitches first, with the final explosion soaring away.

"Just to be a teammate of his when he does something like that," the winning pitcher in Game 3, Lance Lynn, said: "It's something I'll be able to tell my children and grandchildren children, I actually saw that in person. "

Skip Schumaker, an infielder reserves, said he was so impressed that Pujols watches his practice swings off soft throw. Of course, Schumaker said he observed carefully each at-bat, and the most impressive circuits Saturday was the first. He came in the sixth inning, off a high 96-mile an hour fastball to Alexi Ogando.

"The guys take a thousand miles per hour, and it is very difficult on either hand," said Schumaker. "I think they put him in the beginning to stop the bleeding."

Instead, Pujols tore the Rangers wound, his three-run homer swelling of Cardinals lead to 11-6. It crashed off the concrete facade of the second bridge, where only 15 balls landed in over 1400 games.

The second home run came on a ball field in the first fast left-hander Mike Gonzalez in the seventh. It was a stroke of two points closer to center field, and put forward by St. Louis 14-6. Then came the third circuit, and history.

The Rangers had met only once before that Pujols World Series in the 2004 regular season before manager Ron Washington was. Expect up Pujols with extreme caution from now on.

"When the opportunity arises to put him on the bag, I will not let him swing the bat," Washington said. "Tonight, we could not get the ball in the middle of the plate and over and it just does not miss. I saw him on TV, but I'll tell you tonight was something special. "

Pujols was criticized for failing to speak with reporters after the game 2. Pujols said he knew no one needed him, a dubious claim in light of its experience and the fact that he had made a costly mistake.

When asked after the game when the tumult had three reasons, Pujols punished journalists for making it a problem - at the expense, he says, the high pitch that would have been the focus of the game.

"It's pretty sad," Pujols, adding later, "I was really embarrassed to tell you the truth, we were in the middle of it."

Pujols has a spot-over of his reputation - he is outspoken in his religious faith and was honored for his charity work - but it is difficult in public, more likely to snarl than a smile when asked to an interview. His fame will grow with a performance of Saturday, and although it certainly could happen anywhere, you wonder if he would be comfortable, personally, apart from its cocoon of St. Louis.

In any case, Pujols Agency will hold without the dominant discourse of this winter. As a player three most precious time that has never had a bad season, he could ask the most lucrative contract in the game. Schumaker said he would never live to see a better player.

"People have made some interesting comments on what to do," said Schumaker. "I do not want to be a GM and be in this position, because it must be the hardest thing in the world. I'm not sure there could be a blow to him. Who's comparable? "

For one night, when measured by overall offensive production on big stage of the game, no one could compare.

At First, Fireworks Over the Umpiring - Baseball

The ball bounced to Elvis Andrus so beautifully that Albert Pujols, the runner at first base, peeled halfway seconds. It was as routine as a double play ball, maybe. Until it was not.

Ian Kinsler, the player base Texas Rangers second who had already made his second error of the World Series, threw high to first baseman Mike Napoli. Matt Holliday, who hit the ball to the St. Louis Cardinals could have slid into first to avoid the label. But he remained standing, allowing Napoli to turn and tag him on the shoulder, one step before it crossed the base.

However, Holliday was considered safe, and he began to score the first run of a four-run rally in the fourth inning of the Cardinals' 16-7 victory in the merry game 3 to Rangers Ballpark.

Pujols has made history, tying a single game record for World Series hits, homers and runs batted in. But the call was first blown a disheartening reminder that baseball can and should, make the game better.

It took a few seconds for people to notice that the first base umpire Ron Kulpa, is a native of St. Louis. Before the round was over, someone had updated the Wikipedia page Kulpa noted that it had "the worst call in the history of Major League Baseball."

Well, in this regard. Kulpa is the same referee who has done a great job in Game 2 when he called specifically Kinsler safe at second on a flight critical in the ninth inning. No bias is cardinal. Kulpa and it was not - and certainly not a base runner coming either - that caused bad Kinsler was thrown.

After watching a replay, Kulpa acknowledged that he made the call wrong. "I had him on the basis of its label at the time," he said. "I had a tag, but I got to the base."

Yet it was not even in the most egregious call at first base in a game of Cardinals World Series. In the ninth inning of Game 6 in 1985 with St. Louis tries to close a championship in Kansas City, the referee Don Denkinger called Jorge Orta safe at first. The Royals capitalized on this error, and blunders later by the Cardinals to win the game and then the series.

Denkinger lived in infamy for this call, no matter his job behind the plate six years later, Jack Morris in Game 7 masterpiece. History reminds Denkinger the goat, Bartman Steve as the Cubs fan who intervened with a foul ball in the sixth game of the series 2003 national championship. Bartman had nothing to do with the game miserable Cubs immediately following, but he wears horns.

We do not know if the Rangers will recover to win the World Series and make a note Kulpa. Whatever happens, he deserves no blame. Rangers pitching crumbled and the Cardinals' offense rumbled. Napoli made a mistake of throwing two points at the top of the fourth, and with better slides into the bottom of the sleeve, he could have scored on Kinsler to fly to the left.

This loss was squarely on the Rangers, but the error Kulpa highlights a problem facing every baseball series. Missed calls are part of each game all season. But they are amplified with increased coverage and audience.

The referees make a bruise in October, especially with virtual strike zones displayed on the screen throughout the playoffs. Commissioner Bud Selig said he supports this kind of technology, which is to his credit, because it improves the viewer experience. However, Selig also conducted cautiously with Instant Replay.

Since the end of the 2008 season, baseball Instant Replay was used only for calls to the limitations associated with home runs. Plays on the bases are exempt, although they also could be considered the same way. Selig and Joe Torre, president of baseball executive vice president for field operations, said that more could replay the game even longer, a legitimate concern.

But there must be a way. Perhaps, for the playoffs, a referee supervisor would be stationed in the press area - or better yet, the broadcast truck, with instant access to all camera angles. If a call on the bases is clearly wrong, the supervisor may contact the plate umpire before the next at-bat begins.

The game deserves better, especially in the playoffs, with such a challenge. The referees deserve better, too. An error committed by a player can not be reversed by technology. An error by an arbitrator may, if baseball does not allow.

In any case, a team that allows 16 tracks has no business winning, and the hot air of their magnitude board, the Rangers were powerless against the best offense in the National League.

The Rangers have worked to reverse the stereotype in their DNA as a franchise that needs slugs his way to win. They won with defense, pitching and base running in thrilling Game 2 at Busch Stadium, but it was the kind of game they played ten years ago: a lot of runs for the Rangers, but much more to the opposition.

As a result of this, not a bad call by Kulpa, the Rangers find themselves in the same place as they were against the San Francisco Giants a year ago. They are right in the World Series, two games to one, with two more games at home. They lost both last season and watched the Giants celebrate in their fleet.

Cardinals Slug Their Way Into World Series - Baseball

MILWAUKEE - The boom started early. In the first three rounds of the game in the series of six national championships at Miller Park, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers combined for six home runs (a major league record in the playoffs) and 13 tracks for drive the two starting pitchers in haste remarkable even for this series.

Shaun Marcum Milwaukee? Ended after a run and four runs. Edwin Jackson of the Cardinals? From a hitter after allowing three points at home in straight sets. The ball bounces here often when the roof is closed, as it was Sunday night, but it was extraordinary.

When things calmed down, St. Louis led by five points. The rest of the clinching 12-6 victory for the Cardinals proved stressful for another year Manager Tony La Russa, who broke his own record for the NLCS pitching changes while watching its magnificent enclosure only allow two runs and three hits over the last seven rounds - a quality start in reverse.

La Russa called relievers so often in this series they have worked more games (282 / 3 innings) than its parts (241 / 3). Only Chris Carpenter in Game 3, planted as far back as five innings. 28 The change was one of more than Russia did in seven games against Atlanta in 1996.

The bullpen held batters to an average 0155 while compiling a 1.88 ERA Still, La Russa said he never relaxed until Jason Motte, the last of six launchers St. Louis, struck by Mark Kotsay batter swinging on a 99-mile an hour fastball to end it. Motte, then opened his arms to accept a hug and a lift from catcher Yadier Molina.

"It was 12-6, and I was sweating bullets," La Russa said the Cardinals clubhouse Champagne-soaked while Motte has accepted a shower of beer close to several teammates. "Brewers are very dangerous. Not fun. All three outs you are an ordeal, and that's what you're up against when you play them. "

Milwaukee hopes to expand the series to Miller Park, where he led the majors with 57 victories. But another poor start by Marcum, who finished the series 0-3 with a 14.90 ERA, and negligence in the field doomed the Brewers in their first round of league championship in 29 years. Milwaukee has committed three errors, all in one round, giving them seven in two games and a record 10-link in the series.

David Freese, baseman Young Cardinals third party who has persevered through two years of ankle problems, slugged a three-run homer in the first inning and hit 0545 in the series to win the MVP award. He needed a triple for the cycle when La Russa was removed in a double switch in the eighth.

"Not too many people the chance to do so in their hometown," said Freese, who grew up in Wildwood, Mo. "It's an incredible feeling."

Almost from the minute the Brewers have lost Game 5 in St. Louis, Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke has vigorously defended his selection of Marcum for Game 6, even if No. 5 starter Chris Narveson had a 1.20 ERA in 15 rounds against the Cardinals this season. He refused to consider as Yovani Gallardo on three days rest, preferring to retain it possible for a game 7.

After the game, Roenicke stuck by his choice. "I know it was the right decision," he said. "I'm not second-guess anything there."

Two first round by the Brewers mistakes Marcum injured. Jon Jay should have been out stealing second with Albert Pujols, catcher Jonathan Lucroy but Weeks bounced throws and second baseman Rickie could not do it. Pujols drew a full count walk before Lance Berkman lined an RBI single to center. Berkman moved to take second when center fielder Nyjer Morgan passed the third man to break.

Marcum pounced on Matt Holliday firecracker and shoveled Lucroy with his glove to get Pujols. But he hung on the ground next to Freese, who homered to left for a 4-0 lead.

Rush continued feeding in the first Milwaukee, with the leadoff batter Corey Hart homering. Roenicke brought Narveson to relieve Marcum and it was not much better, allowing five runs in a run and two-thirds. Rafael Furcal homered in the second to St. Louis, but Jackson gave up two more, a solo shot Weeks and two points Lucroy. This is a unique game run and kept the crowd of 43,926 engaged.

Pujols is 6-4 for the conduct of his second homer of the series so far into the second deck in left field in the third when he stopped a few seconds to admire it. The Cardinals went on to load the bases against the Narveson left and scored on another sacrifice fly by Nick Punto.

With a chance to break open, La Russa sent the right-handed-hitter Allen Craig hit for Jackson ineffective. The right-hander LaTroy Hawkins relieved, and Craig Land a two-run single through the middle for a lead of 9-4.

The Cardinal bullpen finished out there.

Fernando Salas gave up Yuniesky Betancourt run double scoring two more runs. The left-hander Mark Rzepczynski, normally a specialist or a two-batter, went twice and third rounds and allocated a point before Octavio Dotel, Lance Lynn and Motte combined with the retirement of eight of nine batters. The Cardinals would add two points plotted on three Brewer errors in the fifth, two on one play by third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr., and a run-scoring single by Pujols in the eighth.

"We could not get their bullpen," said Roenicke.

Following Coaches’ Orders, Giants Produce Closing Kick Against Bills - Pro Football

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - At the end of each practice Giants, like the drooping shoulders of the players and their legs are trailing, a familiar refrain can be heard from the coaching staff.

Coaches scream: It is now the fourth quarter. This is the end. We can not lose the fourth quarter. We can not. We have to finish.

"It was something since returning to training camp," said Hakeem Nicks wide receiver.

Tight end Jake Ballard saved Nicks. "It is common ground," said Ballard. "Finish. Finish. Finish. Finish the game, they will not let us relax at the end of practice at all. This is a top priority. And the more we do, especially in games, we are more comfortable when things get tight. "

Ballard conceded that fans might not be as comfortable with the emotional fluctuations at high pressure, but the Giants players, at least, appear to be more comfortable in the fourth quarter. Their 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday was the Giants' fifth game this season where they had a car for the fourth quarter that could tie the game or put forward, and their fourth consecutive game in which the decisive score came with nine minutes or less remaining. The Giants (4-2) have won three of four.

Sunday version of the drama end-game features two important interceptions by Corey Webster Giants cornerback, a career day from running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and an unflappable performance of Eli Manning, who has not launched an interception against a team legislation that came into the game as the league leaders in turnovers forced.

"We tried to finish and win the battle for the fourth quarter," said Webster. "We did exactly that."

With the score tied, 24-24, and the Bills lead with four minutes, a reprisal of the disappointing defeat last week in Seattle seemed more likely. The Bills had a first down at the Giants 27, when the receiver Stevie Johnson made a rapid movement to the line of scrimmage and got a step on Webster as he ran down the sideline.

It was a difficult day for most Webster. He missed a tackle important, lagged behind the guarantees spend more now seemed a step slow on what appeared to be a win for the Bills.

As the ball began to fall to Johnson, however, Webster accelerated. And as Johnson reached high to pull it into the hands of Webster went higher. He cradled the ball as he fell to the ground five yards in the Giants line, standing even as Johnson pulled his mask on the side.

It was the second interception of the game Webster (he also intercepted Ryan Fitzpatrick earlier in the quarter), and he pranced on the sideline with glee. A few minutes later he was joined in the celebration by the rest of his teammates. Manning led the Giants down the field for the kick-off score, with the aim of Lawrence Tynes field for 23 yards with less than two minutes to provide the final margin.

It was an important victory for the Giants, who, with a week off, have two weeks to enjoy it. With the sting of last Sunday's loss, persistent, and another series of defensive injuries sidelined captain Justin Tuck, right guard Chris Snee Pro Bowl running back and backup Brandon Jacobs, the Giants would have have easily slipped back against the surprising Bills (4-2). Before the interception of Webster, he looked as if they could.

Instead, the Giants escaped with a win on a day when Bradshaw scored three touchdowns career-high 292 yards past Manning and the defense rallied to a terrible start to stand firm when the Giants needed it most.

Bradshaw was the finisher for many of the game, diving into the end zone from 1 yard on three occasions. When Bradshaw broke a run of 30 yards to put the Giants in field goal range on the final disc, it gave the Giants their first 100-yard rusher of the season (he finished with 104) - not a mean feat given the offensive line has been operating with the backup Kevin Boothe in place of Snee.

"We knew if we kept pushing a little harder, we get there," left tackle Dave Diehl said. "Today was a total group effort."

Stop the race was also a problem for the Giants, and much was made of the connection defensive coordinator Perry Fewell of the Bills. Fewell spent four years coaching in Buffalo and was the interim head coach for the last seven games of the 2009 season.

Buffalo coach Chan Gailey was concerned about the familiarity of Fewell with the Bills, but the greatest attention in the accumulation Fewell was on his own team. The Giants entered having allowed an average of 159.3 rushing yards a game over the past three weeks, an alarming number because the bills running back Fred Jackson has averaged 96 yards per game on his own.

From the beginning, it was as if nothing had changed. After the Giants went ahead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter on the first partition Bradshaw, Jackson immediately responded with a touchdown run of 80 yards. Linebacker Michael Boley do not fill a hole, safety Deon Grant took a poor angle and cornerback Aaron Ross could not make a tackle saving touchdown.

The Giants defense followed by taking another shot, as Fitzpatrick is the receiver Naaman Roosevelt for a touchdown from 60 yards catch-and-run, just before the end of the first quarter. This time, it was Webster and backup cornerback Justin Tryon sharing the role of the hapless would-be tackler, and coach Tom Coughlin had a stunned look on his face that the balls in the zone.

"We could have let these two parts to determine the outcome of the game, but we do not," Antrel Rolle said security. "We played hard."

They do. After struggling for the first quarter, the Giants defense held Jackson to 39 yards rushing in the rest of the game, limited to 130 passing yards Fitzpatrick in the second half and does not allow the Bills to even get a first test drive their final match. When Fitzpatrick fourth down pass fell incomplete with 59 seconds left, the Giants had sealed a victory that fit well alongside their thrilling victory over Philadelphia and Arizona.

"It was about fighting," said Coughlin. "We knew it would be a 60 minute game."

With these giants, it seems as if it still is.