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.
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.
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