2000 NLCS (Cardinals @ Mets) Game 3

Flushing New York Shea Stadium Rick Reed the right-hander who had an 11 and 5 record during the regular season taking banking his fourth post-season start 35 year old Rick Reed Rick Reed 5 and 1 against the Cardinals this year the Mets were 20 wins and nine losses when Rick started this year he does not have a record against the Cardinals this year even though he started two games and he has not pitched well against st. Louis giving up eight earned runs and nine innings take a look at the scouting reports you've seen it before poor man's Greg Maddux he has trouble with his breaking ball since his return from the disabled list right after the all-star game he had a broken bone and his left breast on a line drive up Andruw Jones a center fielder of the Atlanta Braves here's cookie Rojas gonna hang at my own personal canal s ARP muchas gracias it is brutal were very well thank you cookie and you enjoy the game Fernando fini will lead it off Victor Renteria batting second it's short Jim Edmonds will bat third these Cardinals need a lift they need a spark and you know that that's what Vania has in his mind as he digs in a 300 hitter during the regular season two out of nine in this series Game three underway ball one high this crowd packed in here at Shea playing baseball here since 1964 and this park is seems thrilling October moments over the years to the surprise of venial one and one that last point on the scouting report Rick Reed working east and west he is not a pitcher that keeps the ball down particularly well but he has great control on the corners two strike pitch is an inside tailing fastball the left-handers and generally speaking that's when he saves it the opposite way and a good start for st. Louis as Damian has a leadoff single Vania is on to start it now Renteria agent Clark will turn and chase him haul hitters hit good pitches to this ball right on the corner being you're going that way you can see the head right on the ball good piece of hitting by Ben you talked about it a moment ago but just to say it again and underline it no team in National League Championship Series history has gone down Oh two and a best-of-seven series by losing their first two games at home and come back to win one on nobody out and check on video so Thomas hit the profits before the ballgame today the yes indeed they felt they could run on Rick read he does have a quick delivery to home plate but he's a right-hander really gives those baserunners an advantage over there at first base Fernando vino one of the Cardinals he said may get the green light vini got back before the tag applied by Zeile one of the big reasons that Rick Reid has a good move to first he has very quick feet and for a right-handed pitcher that's very important Edgar Renteria shows bunt drops it down a test for venture and he can't make the play it's two on nobody out Ventura trying to advance the runner and with that type a bunt trying to bunt for a base hit and he just got one against one of the best defensive third baseman in baseball we've seen Ventura barehand balls like that saw Scott Brosius of the Yankees bare handing beautifully in last night's game but he tries with the glove hand and it's rare to see Robin Ventura not completed blood he looked undecided he looked like he came in thinking about a bare hand and then at the last moment for the glove in front of it couldn't make the play it's an error and it's two on with nobody out the infield grass here guys is very thick it's Jay staining that ball appeared to really tuck in as they got closer and closer to Robin Ventura [Applause] edmonds only two out of nine in this NLCS on the outside corner strike one from Reid [Applause] so whenever here in the first inning a sacrifice on the same play dropped down by Renteria after a leadoff hit by V Mian and Edmonds waits for an l1 ball on a strike Tony LaRussa telling us before the game that after game two Barry Weinberg the Cardinal trainer forgives LaRussa an updated list of all the injuries on the team pinpointed four spots on Edmonds that are really bothering him he was banged up in Game two he took yesterday off didn't participate in the workout as he shoots that block into score is vignette heading the third his Renteria - one double its to doctrine st. Louis in the first that is the start st. Louis needed here this afternoon the New York Mets took the crowd one in two in st. Louis and that's what the Cardinals have done right here Jim Edmonds prior to this yard Keith Olbermann say before the game he's stranded 11 runners make that seven runners in the first two games he doesn't strain them here picking them up [Applause] LCS you mentioned earlier that read is not fared well against the Cardinals this season the Cardinals take their first lead of this series with 2 in the first reads probably thinking here we go again 8 earned runs and 9 innings pitched in two starts a couple of no decisions by the way a couple of net victories no wins for read but wins for the Mets here's will Clark runner at second with nobody out to the right side and through Edmonds will hold at third as Perez comes up ready to fire in its first and third nobody out is the first four Cardinals have reached here in the first inning Rick Reed talking to us about facing st. Louis prior to this start you know Mike and al they were able to handle their left handers I struggled during the year give up I think eight runs and nine innings so I've got my work cut out for me I'm gonna have to look at some videotape scouting reports and and get a game plan together and I've talked with out Leiter Mike Hampton and just to get an idea you know what they saw in their game stuff you know maybe that'll help me doesn't look like a guy bursting with confidence as he works to Langford with first and third nobody out and misses with ball one already action for the Mets out in their bullpen Glendon rush starting to crank it up the left-hander to see the numbers for Langford in this postseason rush getting ready here in the first inning Oh 102 Langford trying to hold up to it not a ball and a strike we talked about in Game two ray lankford struck out a hundred and forty eight times and only 392 at-bats going too far here on the breaking ball Mets would love a strikeout right here like a runner at first with Edmonds across the way Andy Bennis has two runs to play with so far as Langford is now in the hole 1 & 2 and Reed has to think strikeout till a lot of good things happen when you do things the right way will Clark went up there trying to pull the ball the pitch looked like it was away of ball tailing away to will and he hit it in the hole on the right side this crowd wants a strikeout the 1 2 to Langford - and - from read what pictures tried to do go up the ladder on Ray Lankford Ray Lankford the most lethal lowball hitter in postseason play this year wants the ball down [Applause] like for taking strike three we talked about the two-strike tailing fastball right here Lankford gives up on it tails back over the plate I think ray thought it was inside clearly not that reaction more for him not swinging at that pitch than being called out on strike three nothing wrong with that pitch and Ed Rapuano took care of the rest now first and third one out for two T's strike one so far only one out of five of the postseason he struggled down the stretch in fact when he went down Fernando Tati's early in the year the last days of April to be specific April 29th in Philadelphia tour is groin muscle he was fourth in the National League in batting average in 1st and runs batted in strike two fastball in off the plate and tatis commits with that if your guy like Rick reads you try to get to tease out on balls out of the strike zone now runners at the corners one out [Applause] too far inside 1 & 2 is to finish on 2 tees hitting 375 on April 29th from June 30th on the day he came back from that severely pulled groin muscle injury he hit only to 18 in drove in 36 runs for a one-two pitch here the first inning two out of the strike zone to teach would go after him it's doing too that last is a pitch that the tease has really struggled with over the past two months a lot of free swingers struggle with that to strike breaking ball away out of the strike zone now the tutu away three and two so Reid loses the advantage after having to t so and two if we'll Clark is running Jim Edmonds at third base has to be alive at Piazza comes up if tootie strikes out Piazza close to second Clark could get in a run-down allowing Edmonds to score we'll see how the cards working three to two big strikeouts by Reed we'll talk not running let's take a look at how Rick Reed hits cutty's sometimes the opportunities come early in an event look at the first pitch foul back that was the pitch to him now read mrs. with three straight hits one two fastball on the two two out of the strike zone down now drill runners at the corners 2 out and a two-run first inning could end on a high note for the Mets Cardinals it scored two they had first and third nobody out Lankford struck out looking to tee struck out swinging and now the oh one pitch to JD drew a ball and a strike drew a pinch-hitter in game 2 he came through for Tony LaRussa in the 8th inning with an RBI double to tie the game at 5 him the Cardinals lost to the Mets six five the 1-1 pitch strike two Reid is in a spot to strike out the side of his get in the action two runs on first and third nobody out Reid struck out Langford Tootsie Sandra nothing st. Louis carlos hernandez doing the catching Tony LaRussa of all his pitchers likes the way Andy Venice works with carlos Hernandez the one bright spot after that tragic injury to Mike Matheny at the end of the regular season and the Menace must get a slider over for a strike for the most part that's his breaking ball he's learning to adjust with produced velocity and that's because his shove off made that right name the injury may affect his move to first base and fielding bunts and falls back through the box Perez leeches off shows bunt takes a strike and II Venice has been battling that right knee most of the season it will swell during the course of the game he gets his neat drain prior to every start wearing a brace on that knee the O 1 pitch is over but low a ball and a strike a couple of guys with tendinitis one guy pitching with it his right knee one guy for the most part in this series at least sitting on the bench with it in his right knee as well that fun is foul and strength to on Parris team all has really changed the look entirely of this Mets lineup they lose Derek Bell in Game one in the division series Bell a different type player Perez inserted in right field and he gives this team speed I'm hitting my paradise with two strikes he's whisking away he gets it away and hits it back through the box [Applause] drops the bad head on the ball and finis can't recover to make the play Timo Perez tonight in the story that's about 89 yards it's not a hundred she figured it was 265 feet around the bases wasn't running hard to begin with maybe not Olympic speed but pretty good speed nonetheless good enough for this game yeah and for that game Timo Perez who had reached on a base hit with two out scored one of two runs in that eighth-inning he scored on a hit by a guard Alfonso who's at the plate right now [Applause] base hit right field [Applause] question there's that man again that used to be said about Stan Musial at Ebbets Field here in New York the meds unless derived from the Dodgers and the Giants when they left in 57 as Paris easily the Cardinals may be calling Alfonso Batman he strikes again their colors derived from those two franchises the left Dodger blue and that first and third nobody out Piazza takes ball one [Applause] during the entire postseason now at 300 he's at 500 in this series 3 out of 6 with a home run and two RBIs one ball one strike one of the remarkable things about Mike Piazza he can look so bad with one swing as he did there off balance out on his front foot and you try to throw that same pitch and he'll adjust on it hit it 400 feet he is a remarkable hitter pound-for-pound about the strongest guy around [Applause] John Stern's mouth to these signs here at Shea Stadium one ball one strike first and third nobody out strike two the frustration for the Cardinals entering this postseason that the one thing that Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan counted on during the regular season in one area that really carried this team was the starting pension so dependable they used only a total of six starters all year and they needed starter number six who was Britt reams when ante Venice went on the disabled list in mid-august but because of injuries including Garrett Stevenson who's lost four this postseason pitching is a question mark that is wasted way out and down two balls two strikes Andy Bennis bothered by the right knee Karen Stephenson out with a sprain in his pitching elbow we all know what's gone on with Rick Ankiel in this postseason which is the game one in the division series in Game two couldn't get out of the first inning now it's Bennis with a bad knee in his - to pinch-hit defender to teach good play [Applause] boy was that nicely turned five four three run scores and it's two to one [Applause] Knowle RBI for Piazza the Mets get on the board but watch this short hop in between hop really played by two T's and then a Alfonso bearing down on vineya and Fernando gets the throw away both ends first to tease now Vania you won't see it turned any nicer and that one was turned around the horn one of the part-time coaches for the Cardinals is your former manager red Shane Dienst all of Fame second baseman as Robin Ventura lines one caught by Venice over there Andy Wow how to self defense [Music] allowed first inning after one in Game three two to one st. Louis foot to the next the Bronx in Yankee Stadium in the distance here at Shea were through one inning a two to one st. Louis lead in the number eight hitter for the Cardinals Carlos Hernandez leads off and pops it into right center field barrows to his right Andy Bennis will bat will tell you that st. Louis Rams the world champion Rams are five at home st. Louis Cardinals in the postseason for the 17th time in their franchise history here's Andy Bennis and there's strike one from brave breaking ball straight to Venice during the season was only four out of 50 at the plate with one home run batting with one out nobody on on the outside corner to a fourth strikeout for Rick Reed [Applause] often game started at this time in October it's difficult for the hitters to pick the ball up and to get the doughnut off their bat yeah right particularly at this time of day but it's not a real problem and shouldn't be a problem for the center fielder Jay Payton of the Mets unless the ball is hit deep to center field but you get an idea with that shot from our director Bill Webb of what the hitters are confronted with but somewhere in the distance that bright background and that's what Jay Payton would be looking into if he has to retreat on a fly ball two out nobody on Fenian took a strike bot obviously the pitcher in the hitter are both in the shade right now but the hitters eye and straightaway centerfield the Sun is somewhat glaring off that black surface out there it is very tough to pick up the ball right now Bob Brenly joining us from directly behind home plate as Vania takes high one ball one strike Pina in the first inning went the other way dropped the base hit into left field Renteria dropped down a sacrifice bunt but it was kicked by Ventura and a two-run double by Edmonds a single by Clarke first and third nobody out but Reed struck out the side and now Vania pops it up [Applause] this goes one two three in the second bottom can't Mets bat they're down by just to run c-loc by Ani and Payton Oh season numbers you know good Brazil but he's had some big hits in this LCS it takes strength one three four seven so far in this head-to-head battle between Sheila's former organization on the outside corner at 7:00 to Joe it's funny how quirky the game of baseball can be the Cardinals all they needed out of Ray Lankford was a ground ball DoublePlay to score the third run the Mets got a ground ball DoublePlay and scored their only run out of Mike Piazza of all people nothing and two on seal ball and two strikes overly each side wasting a chance for a big first inning Cardinals at 2 on the scoreboard first and third nobody out but Reed made some terrific pitches and got three consecutive strikeouts a blank route to tees and drew two balls two strikes now unsealed Matt's at first and third nobody out and that's when Fiats had bounced into the double play scorning Peres to make it to 2 1 it was Owen to now it's 3 into a knee Bennis has only made three starts since the 14th of August Cardinals are concerned about the rust factors he'll goes after a terrible pitch and he's the first out here in the 2nd inning Bob the Cardinal catchers you get a look at strike three to todd zeile we mentioned the shadows here at Shea Stadium and they really actually get worse as the game goes on as far as seeing the signals from the catcher Hernandez has painted his fingernails white in order for the Cardinal pitchers to better pick up his size about to go to a Marilyn Manson concert ball one up and away of Benny Agbayani a lot of these major league club houses have salons right next door you have to go in get a pedicure manicure have your hair blown dry and start the game tanking number honey to it all well said well hit down toward the end of the bat two out nobody on with Peyton coming up in our opening we talked about the three outfielders today Agbayani Payton and Timo Perez representing one half of one percent of the Mets payroll but they've driven in 60% of the game-winning runs in the postseason game two against the Giants base hit won the game in the tenth and then the other night in st. Louis top of the ninth inning those balls were almost in the same spot like little sliders on the outside part of the plate from Rodriguez of the Giants and Timlin of the cards then beneath tez took care of the rest in game 2 as John Franco who ended up taking care of the rest in Game two of the division series - no now on kaitlin's it was a knock Bionic after Peyton its bordick who's still bothered by that sore right thumb Kirino right before the previous pitch to Jay Payton Payton had his head turned talking to home plate umpire ed Rapuano and Andy Bennis just said fastball away he mouthed the words fastball away to his catcher Carlos Hernandez so much for trick signs swinging on three and oh and why not three balls and a strike trailing by one run second inning 17 home runs during the season one during the postseason three balls and a strike and a two-out walk first walk handed out by Venice this afternoon and the number 8 man bordick will back here's what bob was talking about in that first pitch to Payton a way our way there's bordick hitting a buck 25 in the postseason old for four so far in this LCS which includes an at-bat and game too bad thumb at all in the 8th inning he grounded to deep short runner at first two out Morton took strike one Mike bordick wearing the number of the X meant that threw out the first pitch today number 17 Keith Hernandez who played first base better than anybody I have ever seen came up through the Cardinal organization was the co-mvp and 79 with Stargell at 344 traded to the match and played here at Shea from 83 to 89 and so Hernandez brings with him when he throws out the ceremonial first pitch experience from the last Cardinal world championship in the last Mets World Championship 82 for st. Louis 86 for New York all in one the count in case you're wondering Hernandez were 37 for st. Louis 37 for the Mets the first number retired that was Casey Stengel's number the Mets first manager yo professor no balls two strikes onboarding has always made sure that ever seven was involved because of mantle mantle fan still beloved here in New York Jay Payton with only five stolen bases during the regular season caught 11 tops but this is a good running situation oh and two on the hitter and Benes might throw a slider in the dirt say Payton runt lunging and leaning able to get back in time my seeing things who was Elena he was laning you saw it right that's what I saw see that right foot leaning towards second diving back no balls two strengths on bordick cornica 20 home runs this season 16 coming in a Baltimore Orioles uniform Oh - wanted to and Mike bordick after being traded here to the match step to the plate on July 29th took the first pitch he would see his Ament and hit a home run down the left-field line and booty hit it against Andy Bennis the man he faces here with a one ball two strike count [Applause] close eye on Payton as Tim told you only five out of 16 trying to steal bases during the regular season one ball two strikes on bordick job - and - these two managers are going to get a lot of headlines for the rest of this LCS whether it's four games five games or whatever Joel I don't think it's it's good theory and good strategy to pitch out with two strikes and two outs on the battery because the pitch that you throw might be the pitch that gets the batter out with the Cardinals we were always taught pitch out two strikes two outs unless you're absolutely sure and they may run now they don't 2 2 pitch is off the end of the bat it's gonna roll back fair bordick gave up on it didn't run and with a spin that was on that ball it started well foul and came back fair and then Clark with a heads-up play picked it up the instant it came back into play tag quartic and we're through two innings here at Shea - the one Cardinals back after this from your local Fox station number two hitter in the lineup for st. Louis Renteria then Edmonds then Clark then you guys mentioned it mike boorda got a slow jump out of the batter's box head he busted out of the batter's box had gotten past will Clark the cardinal said nobody covering first base need to major in physics didn't think that ball was going fair to balls to strike I'm not sure that bordick took physics up in Maine two balls and a strike Renteria being sent through the left side he is putting together some kind of LCS already currently talking about porting not running on that play watch carlos Hernandez get out with the equipment on faster than boarding off the end of the bed Hernandez with the mask off he's running hard down the line but 40 kissin Hernandez saw it go fair Clarke charges it and makes the tag one on nobody out here's Edmonds who doubled home two in the first inning hit it down the left-field line at almost got a piece of bruce fremming on its way into the corner Rick Reed trying to pitch around the fourth hit of the afternoon for st. Louis that's pretty well hit down the left field [Applause] Renteria has to reach out second shortcomings and left way to get that out one away Jonnie worth a great vote for the Schoenberg catch against the wall and you're right Renteria had gone about eight to ten feet around second base in retreating the first in the text second going back to the Renteria that's about a quarter of the way toward third touches the bank and just makes it doctor don't gentlemen's hoping that Renteria would get back safely how many big leaguers do we see on a week-by-week basis who either don't know or forget that you have to retouch second base when he go past it Yeah right they're gonna peel we clearly showed that he touched it and the second base umpire Dana DeMuth agrees here's Mike Easler the hitting coach for the Cardinals watching that last ball off the bat of Edmonds [Music] can't believe it he thought was a sure Hall bran into out number one back at first his Renteria and Reid gives him a look as will Clark stands in joke Benny Agbayani has got a body harder than high school algebra he loved to play football played football at Oregon Tech as a wide receiver weighed only 150 pounds contact I asked him a couple days ago how he satisfies his desire for contact in baseball he said running over catchers also running into fences I would think after that play did you squirm in your seat after you asked him that question I thought about it yes no balls one strike on Clark happy and retirement one and one from Reid and the first inning read was in trouble two runs were home first and third nobody out and if you remember Glendon rush was getting loose out of the bullpen for the Mets then Langford struck out looking 2t struck out swinging and drew struck out looking good work by Reed to get out of trouble and stay in the game two balls two strikes on Clarke in a new baseball for Rick Reed [Music] Bobby Valentine so far and this postseason has for the most part pulled the right string every time Tony LaRussa has been second-guessed in the first two games on a number of different fronts when to use mark mcgwire why wasn't he used in Game one why'd you send him up in Game two in a spot where the Mets could walk him you've went too long with Rick Ankiel Game two should have ham dreams ready earlier when you saw early that he wasn't in a gang Kiel gonna be able to throw strikes and that pitch gets away from Piazza ball four over to third is Renteria but they will push him back to second base as the ball hops into the dugout boy did the Mets get a break right there kidding that that ball stayed out of the dugout then Renteria easily goes to third base Piazza not feeling that ball well that's the third wild pitch thrown by Met pitchers and Piazza has not fielded that ball well yet the once it goes into the dugout the runner at first base whether he was running or not is only allowed to go to second but had that ball stayed out of the dugout Renteria clearly would have gone to third the lumber so all it is is a walk I hit a walk in the inning and here's Langford Lankford who missed a chance back in the first inning gets another opportunity against Rick Reed lankford during the regular season at 26 home runs drove in 65 ball one Tony LaRussa catch her in his minor league days hasn't forgotten how Tony he also knew the situation and you could see how the check that he was at that ball ended up in the dugout instead of first and third it's first and second one out and a one L pitch to Ray Lankford on the outside corner a ball and a strike [Applause] Rick read with a walk in this inning he walked only 34 batters all season including three intentionally whose control about as good as it gets in the big leagues one ball one strike Lankford in the hole again 1 & 2 I said Tony LaRussa was a catcher I was wrong it was an infielder good soft pants of the ex minor league in field impressive major league manager since 1979 with a white sauce his crown once reads fit strikeout little up and away pretty good pinch two and two this is a key pitch right here you can see how far Rick Reed missed Piazza having to go all the way across the plate if Reed misses with this pitch then it's three two to Lankford the runners won't be off three two one out the tutu miss the inside corner read hit the glove the Mets don't get the call full count Lankford struck out on a similar pitch his first time up this one stays inside three balls two strikes [Applause] into right-center field that'll get down Renteria will score will Clarke goes from first to third and the Cardinals lead 3 to 1 here the third inning Langford didn't hit it particularly well but he put it in a good spot and the Cardinals have their two-run lead back remember we talked about out ray lankford a lethal lowball hitter all the lowball hitters for some strange reason handle the breaking ball better than the fastball and that was a breaking ball normally a good pitch but not to laugh in scores easily the throat by Payton was home but will cluck going to third base without a throw now to tease strike one from breathe I would imagine any more trouble and Glendon rush will start to crank it up again for the Mets out in their bullpen rush has made only one appearance in this postseason and that was out of the bullpen in Game one in the Division Series in San Francisco step two third look to first move which works about twice a year now oddly it worked for Turk Wendell twice at one inning this year it's a controversial step 2/3 look the first move that Wendell uses the l1 into right field makes the catch Clarke with very good baserunning will score sac fly in its court along [Applause] Joe you're exactly right because normally if you're on third with less than two out and a hitter hits a ball similar to this your first instinct is to Bret to her home Clark's first instinct was to go by and realizing the way that Parris caught the ball he was in no position to throw and pluck scores easily no way can you get anything on a ball like that throwing from that angle down runner at first to st. Louis runs on their biggest lead of the day for 2 1 & GD Bru's stands in the number 7 hitter is given the fans behind third base howling at Steve Ripley the third base umpire how many times do you see to appeal plays in one inning one on Renteria at second and the Mets think he Clark perhaps left too early they didn't get the call either time and both Clark and Renteria have scored here in the 3rd lepton had starter on the mound the first two games of this series we saw Todd Zeile leading off with the runner when the right-hander Rick Reed on the mound tonight a more traditional positioning over there for the pickoff throws keeping an eye on Langford in this case under 50% during the regular season stole five bases was caught six times and may do some running here time to do it Renteria with three stolen bases in Game two drew the count of old one runner goes now comes back the ball and a strike on drew and fake break like that as Langford just took makes the catcher get up prematurely and perhaps take a low strike away from his pitcher and it makes one of the two middle infielders pinch Piazza comes out ready to throw bordick was close to second the tailing pitch for strength to on drew Dru's only RBI came and gave to off the bench [Applause] crowd back into it one ball two strikes and drew fought it off to stay at the plate you always hear about a sophomore slump with what JD drew showed at the end of 98 he made his major-league debut that night we were in st. Louis September 8th McGwire hit his 62nd home run of the season drew had a freshman jinx Langford back ahead of the tag last year drew hit only 242 with 39 RBIs 13 home runs this year 295 18 home runs 57 RBIs in a Senate and Game one I'll say it again when will Clark arrived the Cardinal clubhouse almost like he took a direct route over to Drew's Locker and started trying to tease him drew pops it up back behind the plate Piazza [Applause] Nolan Mike Piazza make a catch to end the inning Cardinal owner Bill DeWitt was saved a bruise on his noggin bottom the third inning at Shea for one st. Louis pretty night in New York this is Game three of the National League Championship Series and we promote the upcoming games tonight Game four of the Yankees in the Mariners with the Yankees he's in the Mariners with the Yankees leading that series now two games to one on NBC and then tomorrow is game for 7:30 Eastern Time here on Fox of this series with the Mets right now leading two games to none by the way Darryl Kile will come back on short rest and pitch for st. Louis the plan is for Bobby Jones who was fantastic in that clincher game for the Division Series to pitch for New York one ball one strike read at the plate two and one prior to our game tomorrow which is at 7:30 Eastern Time here on FOX NBC will carry Game five of the ALCS at 4:00 o'clock two balls and a strike on Rick Reed ten out of 49 at the plate during the regular season waiting for that pitch and he was after it too quickly 2 & 2 yeah Rick Reed has two major league home runs he is an excellent hitter anytime you see a pitcher with a 200 or above average during a season read hit 204 then you know it's a good average he can hit - - from Andy Benesch is low full count [Applause] and pop up behind short [Applause] so the pitcher for the Mets retired Rick Reed is back to the top of the lineup Timo Perez the story gets more and more attention Timo Perez in his history property of the Hiroshima Carp playing Hiroshima Carp baseball academy in the Dominican he caught the eye of Omar Minaya Omar Minaya signed him to a $95,000 finally contract for the Mets and he start to look Tim at the track record of Omar Minaya and some of the players that he has scouted inside Melvin Mora player the Mets traded to the Orioles to get bordick another on the list of Minaya and years ago sammy sosa one ball one strike Omar Minaya has been the assistant to the general manager here for the last few years and deserves to get a shot to walk out on that perched by himself with some other organization he has done great work around here and at other organizations a good eye for baseball talent to t s-- is another guy on the list Texas Ranger connection playing third base for the Cardinals today as Perez pops it up shallow center to Omar Minaya interviewed for the Los Angeles general managers job two years ago [Applause] here's it going to Alfonzo you start to talk about a latin-american influence latin-american players constitute 25% of all big leaguers at this moment 25% Latin American countries in Edgardo Alfonzo is a superstar Venezuela in a long list of terrific players in Venezuela they've been playing baseball there since the turn of the century the big league since the 30s Willy Aparicio for the White Sox in the 50s and 60s Davey concepción the shortstop of that great Big Red Machine in Cincinnati and a guy who should be in the Hall of Fame now the Astros have that pipeline working Alfonso a representative for the mess Owen he's two for two and in this series five out of eight and one would think that you had to be older to be a legend Alfonzo does not turn 27 until November 8th and he has been a legend in Venezuela primarily in winter ball and now with his success in the big league an excellent lowball hitter as he proves once again right here turning into senior October Yeah right he's on with two out - out hits with Piazza batting behind you can turn into an instant rally for to one single distant Piazza took a strike on the inside corner Piazza had first and third with nobody out back in the first inning hit a chopper to third that to teason vania turned into a 5 4 3 double play one ball one strike one on two out they ought to trying to get those long strong arms extended he's jammed he didn't get him extended and carlos hernandez gives it a look back near the screen and he careth returned the favor that Piazza did to GT drew in the top of this third that makes it 1 & 2 Mike just missing this fastball he got one to hit Piazza himself is a remarkable story drafted 61st by the Dodgers in 1988 there were fourteen hundred and thirty three players in the major leagues drafted that year Piazza came in the thirteen hundred and 90th pick so there were only 43 players picked after Mike Piazza in 1988 and look at him now [Applause] right now he's behind in the count 1 & 2 [Applause] he's on a Hall of Fame career path with what he's done after his first eight full seasons in the big leagues the numbers are staggering and they are at the top of the list in every major category as far as hitting catchers runner at first two out the one to four maybe Venice had him reaching and it's felt when he put piazzas name on a lid on a bench Roy Campanella Yogi Berra Carlton Fisk all hall-of-famers his numbers after his first full eight seasons in the big leagues are better across the board one ball two strikes Piazza pops it up this one is playable if it ever comes down it is as Vania puts it away talked about pitching coming in obviously the two offenses about the defense [Applause] [Music] Mike Piazza with that cat's down the top of the third not top of the fourth [Applause] question this is the this is the Mets sixth nationally Championship Series who was their opponent in their first appearance obviously back in 1969 the first year of LCS play who can remember that far back carlos hernandez is at the plate second at bat he flied to right his first time up and he pops into shallow center this time no for sure Bob Murphy who's been behind the microphone for these Mets since their first year in 1962 there's the Murph and let's eavesdrop she calls play-by-play here in the top of the fourth first appeared with the ball yeah he was giving him a lot of singles but able to hang in there and they'll have to be hoping that Roger Clemens pitches better tonight that he has been and evenness the batter tastes outside is low one ball no strikes meddlesome big guys our right-hand hitter and he can hurt you with his bet as we mentioned he has seven career home runs fastball over for a call strike one ball one strike it has not been a very good day so far for Rick Reed not his usual stellar self rick has allowed four runs and five hits foul ball coming back under a breakfast he move on that side of reach one ball two strikes Bobby Jones tomorrow night probably against either Pat Hampton or maybe Darryl Kile swinging a foul ball hit down the right-field line that'll go into the crowd Tony LaRussa said when he put out town for Game one that his plan was to throw Kyle three times one for at seven count only through 83 pitches in Game one so I'd be shocked if Kyle doesn't go out there tomorrow I would be to carry good team wanted to foul ball back over the screen no play at home to get wanted to the Cardinal pitcher problem the Cardinals are gonna have one way or another if they come back in this series whether they pitch Kyle head kannur head compiled the next two games we're thinking a pitch in Game six the Rouge has already said it's not going to be ranked now the one to delivery smash the short off the drug before T it goes into the outfield so Andy Venice is on base he in a sinking line drive he hit it hard Courtney tried to make the neck hand play got a glove on it but couldn't pick it clean that's a core play by bordick he'd never moved his feet to try and get in front of that ball just reached on to his right it was tailing away from him and it kept on telling and went right on by him that's the voice of Gary Cohen our good friend over in the booth with Bob Murphy it's ruled a base hit they were talking about the pitching situation groans as they call that a hit on the scoreboard one on one out Vania will stand in Daryl Kyle will pitch tomorrow Tony LaRussa told us that I think what happens the rest of this day has major effect on who works the rest of this series the long reliever for st. Louis today because Britt Reeves and Matt Morris had to work so long in Game two as Pat Henken who was scheduled for Game five at this point Vania dumps one into left field back-to-back hits Benison V nian it's two on one out [Applause] Glendon rush getting loose for the Mets if the Cardinals have to pitch back and get at some point during tonight's game and he held off in his side session yesterday he obviously won't make the start on Monday night if there is a game Monday night the Cardinals then could start Britt reams that night then push Andy Bennett back on short rest in Game six the plan is for Kyle if there is a Game seven and that is really getting ahead of ourselves to pitch Game seven back in st. Louis here it's two on one out and our thanks to Bob Murphy Gary Cohen I didn't know we were eavesdropping on their play-by-play and their analysis here is Renteria and he takes ball one low and away if Renteria gets on I think that's going to be all for Rick Reed with Edmonds coming up Edmonds has hit two balls hard to left field one a double and the other the great play by aqua yonni off the end of the bat a broken bat single Andy Bennis will be brought to the plate bad knee and all Venice is safe for the belly flop and it's five to one st. Louis here in the fourth inning and this crowd is getting on Rick read in the Mets Robin Ventura was standing right next to third-base when Andy Bennis rounded the bag a broken bat base hit by Renteria Renteria has been all over the place and Benes just stepping on the bag just on the inside part of the bag with that sore knee and all belly-flopping in for the fifth Cardinal Rock so Andy Bennis with his bad knee at all Tony LaRussa telling us before the game he's a tough competitor those are hidden brush against the Cardinals this season was dominant strike one but against left-handed batters Tim the numbers just don't show why he was so good against st. Louis Cardinals have to start at least four left-handers they have five in the lineup today but left-handers hit 304 against rush this year while right-handers hit only 256 Edmonds fights it off and he is down at a heat bowing to you remember Al Leiter his comments before Game two the reason he's been successful this year the left-hander said he's been running the ball in on left-handed batters that BA run running in on Edmonds a left-handed pitcher in order to have success against a left-hander has to make him aware of the ball inside and that's what rush just did the numbers for rush a record of 11 and 11 which included a win this season against st. Louis and a ra of just over four got him from the Kansas City organization a solid number five starter on this Mets team this season the o2 to Edmonds got him walking to go [Applause] what a job of pitching by Rush the first pitch a slider first one this is Wyatt that pitch inside that he normally offers that he gives up on fine job of pitching by Russia at st. Louis this season May 28 2013 7 / 7 innings no runs on 4 hits here's will Clarke 2 on 2 out that's foul Clark's mannerisms at the plate in the field are unique look at that face though as has that mouth turned down he's got his chest puffed out Tony LaRussa's saying the only difference I see on will Clark the year 2000 compared to back in 1989 is that he's put on a few pounds the swing is the same as he gets out of the way of ball one to even the count but it's that look I mean that's about as distinct look as there is in the game today it's a look that Norman Rockwell would love take will clock back about 29 years and he'd be the kid sitting at the soda fountain one ball one strike two on two out rush trying to keep it a four run game five two one here the fourth inning that hit Clark on the hand wrist or forearm and the bases will be loaded and Lankford may be lifted for a pinch-hitter he's looking back at the dugout and he may be finished for the rest of the day Bob you talked about that face that will Clark features when he's out there playing baseball wheeler face well that was a member of the San Francisco Giants we found out that wills Billy Beane was a reference to his mother's maiden name so his middle name is Ashley but for lack of a better term we called it his douche lair face well you hesitated because you saw out of the corner of your eye that and so do these Met fans so does Glendon rush looking at Mark McGwire who will bat with the bases loaded two out and here's his spot where Tony LaRussa can put him in the batter's box and there is no place for the Mets to put him what about the buzz in this ballpark right now we said before Game two it didn't matter third inning fourth inning eighth inning night fitting whatever if the spot was right according to LaRussa right now [Music] ray lankford and you send in water [Applause] five years 277 home runs this was the matchup Bobby Valentine before the game that he was trying to avoid pinching the mark mcgwire no place to put bases-loaded two out [Applause] [Music] enjoys that pitch running up and in on McGuire thing about mark right now he knows he's not mobile enough to get out of the way of a ball throwing at him obviously that was not intentional with the bases loaded 554 career that's down the right [Applause] one ball one strike count I still don't think it's out of the realm of possibility then later in this series depending on how McGuire's knee is feeling and how it progresses I still don't think it's without question that he'll start the game on the bench I could see him making a start in this series what do you deal with will clunk then against one of the left-handers jammed and he popped him up into life much to work by Glendon rush struck out Edmonds hit Clark [Music] single-season homerun King on the fly ball to left after three and a half five to one st. Louis kinship series who is the opponent in their first appearance the Atlanta Braves that swept that series and went on to take on and defeat the Orioles here's Ventura he takes the ball down and in Andy pennis back to work it'll be Ventura seola knocked by Ani when a man's who have been shut down since they put their first two on in the first inning to an all from Venice Frank Paquette takes over in left field for McGuire who pinch-hit for Leng three good one Joe that 1969 Braves team Henry Aaron was five years away from hitting home run number 715 Ron Reed was one of the pitchers Rico party won a batting title for the Braves and right before that season had begun the st. Louis Cardinals made a trade Joe Torre for Orlando Cepeda Joe Torre became a cardinal Cepeda became afraid to venture on the Mets in these fans hope that'll start something second walk handed out by Venice this evening a happy couple sweating it out here at Shea this copyrighted telecast is presented by authority of the Commissioner baseball may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any form they counts in description to this game may not be disseminated that expressed written consent of the Major League Baseball how about Jerry Seinfeld probably thinking hey I'm here all the time yeah who are these johnny-come-lately these stars that are here getting all the airtime Matthew and Sarah there's Seinfeld Jerry looking quite studious tonight seal now one on nobody out strike one Seinfeld and Rock no balls one strike Zeile struck out his first time on a 3-2 pitch in the dirt todd zeile perhaps more adept than hitters on either side to hit the ball through the hole on the right side Pina is cheating towards second base will Clark is holding Ventura on I think if you Tony LaRussa you move will Clark behind the runner then Torah is not a fast runner in that way you give Clark a little bit to a three extra steps into that hole as it stands right now see who can hammer that hole with regularity has a big one to shoot for one ball one strike from Andy Venice the basic Ventura will stop at second it's two on [Applause] Vania was cheating towards second base when you have a four-run lead you're more inclined to play for one out and not to now piñas playing normally there's a chance that he may get to that ball I'm not saying he would but by cheating towards second base by the time that ball is hit to his left he has no chance and just to point out another note about what you're talking about not to say the Clark could have gotten to that ball but by opening up that Bay the hole on the right side that gave Zeile an idea of what to do with the pitch absolutely slider away he went that way two on nobody out by on e at the plate [Applause] defend us who stares in at and Rapuano Ventura the lead runner at second seal the trail runner at first Ayane lined out to left his first time up [Applause] kyani with a count in his favor he has hit in seven consecutive postseason games all-4-one tonight the two off-pitch on the corner could have gone either way in the count 2 & 1 good slider in a key situation Agbayani looking for the fastball didn't get it front corner waiting for a 2-1 pitch it comes Ventura at third and the bases are loaded as Edmonds comes up firing bases look nobody out [Applause] hard ball just explodes off back by Yanni's back at top spin on the ground bomb and dick ative a very strong top hand racing by Vania and now that's going to get activity in the Mets bullpen and as you said earlier Joe the Mets bullpen is very deep tonight but not so the Cardinals [Applause] bases-loaded the Mets young outfield heroes and this postseason Jay Payton stands in he had his first grand slam home run of his major-league career with three games to go in the season against Montreal on that Friday night the last weekend of the season he's the tying run at the plate and Tootie said to talk [Applause] the Cardinals would trade a run for the devil point Bowl back up the middle [Applause] a chance for one here [Applause] for the second out well handled by Vania a run scores runner at third Zeile two out the Mets have scored two runs on double plays tonight this is your right Joe it was expertly handled by B Nia the timing on this play was perfect Pina running at my ante toward first Clark takes care of the rest of it she can't make this play any better I'm gonna got a hold of V naeun remember V Nia came out of this Mets organization at an early age and taught him the fundamentals of that play because I see this Cardinal team a lot that's his plan he handles that play as well as any play on the field is that right what do you see a lot of major league second baseman's botched that play often now runner at third two out for bordick and a ball from Venice you guys the key to that play as well as any rundown play is for vini to get Ock by on e running don't allow him to crow hop back toward first base and then change direction when the ball is thrown Feeny ran right at him forced out by Ani to run away to a no you're right Bob port seemed to run back to the base from which he came so they hit Biot biani set it up bases-loaded nobody out and the four three double play hit into by Payton now runner at third two out the vents asked for a big hit out of bordick who takes ball three I would imagine panic is a big part of that Playa by a second baseman not to panic not to get rid of the ball right away we're on the runner back and then complete the play that's ball four and its first and third two out and Daryl Hamilton will come off the bench and bat for Glendon rush [Applause] Dave Duncan will trot out and talk to his right-hander if the intent Tim was to get Glendon rush out of the game and that's been accomplished but if you're the Cardinals and you lead five to two why in the world would you pitch around Mike bordick who's got a bum bum and now have to face Hamilton the tying run at the plate with first and third two out I don't think he was bitching around and not that I think we just lost the strike zone momentarily there's no way you're trying to pitch around more dick in that situation just throw a strike and try to challenge him but I just think Andy lost the strike zone Joe Buck Tim McCarver Bob Brentley with you we're at Shea Stadium where the Mets hold a two games to none advantage over the st. Louis Cardinals at one six two six five trail here today five to Abbe Daryl Hamilton at the plate coming off the bench to bat for Glendon rush with first and third two out [Applause] [Applause] that's a big run sitting over at third base another runner on at first that's his score one Oh Darryl Hamilton with an arthritic left hip toe had it operated on earlier who was the guy to whom he went to ask for advice mark mcgwire of the Cardinals one ball no strikes dr. James band worked and operated on Darryl Hamilton he also operated on mark mcgwire about eight years ago with Big Mac had problems with his feet the arches of his feet [Applause] runners at the corners for Hamilton [Applause] darrel off the bench for the mets admins coming makes the cats to end the in it didn't get a good read on it able to recover an ND framework through four here in Game three st. Louis hanging on they lead 5-2 it's a five to two Cardinal lead as this game goes to the top of the fifth inning Rick White is into the action third pitcher of the night for New York we can officially say night right after absolutely all right yep okay from read to rush and rush was again terrific out of the bullpen what a weapon he's been the two times he's been in action in this postseason and now it's Rick white watch Game four of the World Series on Fox for the 1 million dollar Gillette strike zone challenge Joe we had a graphic up earlier that we feel the timing is right to bring it back the st. Louis Cardinals were 78 and 44 vs. right-handed starters that's the most wind wins and the majors tied with the San Francisco Giants the Giants also was 78 but now the Mets have another right-hander back in there so in a perfect world the Cardinals got what they wanted Glendon rush came in and only pitched two and third two thirds of an inning so Rick White will work to Fernando Satish that drew then Carlos Hernandez anybody gets on in the inning Andy Bennett and cities gets into left hind up by Yanni entities has a leadoff double [Applause] did that hit padding or closing numbers the center-field Plexiglas the white is greeted rudely by tatis now drew will bet that's why I brought that up last half-inning about bordick reaching bench hit her in a roundabout way even if they weren't trying to pitch around board it sure they got the best of both worlds because they got the out with Hamilton Hamilton's gone for the rest of the night rushes out of the game and the Cardinals would try to do some damage against Rick white who seems to have figured out his trouble he says after a ringing double after a miserable September in a Mets uniform I think you know what I think that was I think that's a fake conversation between Oquendo and drew bottom part of the lineup there's no way Drew's gonna be bunting as a sacrifice you might bunt for a base hit not a sacrifice yet Ventura is in and he drops down a bunt third-base side strike one I agree with you that's a terrible play if he's budding the sacrifice that's the worst play we've seen in postseason there is no way JD Drew can be bunting there you've got carlos hernandez a right-handed batter and you've got the pitcher Andy Bennis up following him with nobody up in the Cardinals bullpen terrible play and he's not a man who makes a lot of terrible strategic plays Bru may have done that on his own if he did it's a bad play for him Tony LaRussa has a sign to leave it up to the hitter and a lot of people don't agree with it and that is however you feel comfortable get the runner over if you want to swing the bat swing it if you want a bunt get him over do that and I agree with you how do you have group bunt for the last two spots in the order to follow now to swing now he's in the hole or two carlos hernandez it was four out of eighteen in this postseason with a home run whites on deck Rick white picked up from Tampa Bay at the trading deadline neo2 into right field a base hit the t Stidham get a good break third its first in third nobody out a single and now Carlos Hernandez will hit real mistake right here as white throws a cookie gene Mauch used to call pitches like that cookies another two breaking ball right down the heart of the plate and Joe you're the one that alerted me to Tony new Russo's Tony LaRussa's adventurism with runners on at third-base and squeeze situations now it's not one here but with Bennis up on deck if Fernandez pops out pops up strikes out and up he's talking to Andy pennis right there carlos hernandez at the plate Rick white has given up a double now a single check on drew you told me with a runner on at third and less than two outs at Tony LaRussa as perhaps most adventurous manager you've ever seen I was kidding though oh you were oh you wanted me to go in on the air with that right this information it's true but that's after Hernandez breaking ball in for a strike with Fernando to Tisa runner at third coming partway down the line it didn't bother Rick white until in one under almost any circumstance you don't squeeze with nobody out particularly with the regular hitter you give him a chance to drive it in if he can then you think about it with the pitcher he did Drive it it will the base hit through the left side two teeth will score to make it six to st. Louis here in the fifth Andy Bennis will bat here's Andy Benes talking about the Cardinals not giving up down to nothing in this series Phil's in 96 the year before with Seattle picked up by the Mariners for a stretch running he was 7 and 2 for Seattle at the end of 1995 showing bunt pulling back from ball one in this situation what a Bunter tries to do is bunt it down the third base line and try to make the third baseman feel the ball it could backfire if they use the rotation play that's where the first baseman third baseman charged the shortstop goes third second baseman goes to first that opens up the middle of the field but Andy Bennis is not the type of hitter that has good bat control so white hasn't done anything right a double a single an RBI single hit by Carlos Hernandez and he's behind in the count 2 and II Venice charging for the bunt Venice lays it down it's a perfect bunt sacrifice good five for the runners advance to second and third bought it hard enough to make that third baseman field the ball that's an excellent play right there the Mets did have the rotation play on watch Ventura coming in bordick breaking toward third-base then he stopped now he continues but Ventura forced to feel the ball an excellent bunt by Andy Bennis Ventura made the play with Alfonso covering at first and now it's second and third one out for Fenian and the Mets will bring the infield in down by four Cardinals could have their biggest lead up the night with a hit here second and third one away well one I talked about Rick white he had a terrible month of September he said well I looked at some video I got my footwork squared away he didn't like the way he was pushing off trying to do too much and then he was so good in that game three here at Shea Stadium in the division series with the Giants when he pitched a couple of shutout nettings it actually got the win in that game when I by Yanni hit the 13th inning home run but here a double a single another single a good bunt and it's one ball one strike on Fernando Vania infield in V Nia's two out of three out in front there and it's one and two when you have a big lead in the middle innings and the Cardinals are up by four runners on as second and third whether the infield is in or not you should send the runner from third on contact the worst that can happen is you end up with first and third and two outs but you're taking a chance to score a run drew with excellent speed excellent instincts up the middle diving stop out fun zone throw to the plate too late they're the good instincts and it's seven to two and if he's not running on contact there's no way he scores how Fonzo gets the out at first base second and third one out the Cardinals taking a chance and watch drew taking a chance going I'll find so a good play but through beats the throw excellent base running by JD Drew and a save there for the home plate umpire ed Rapuano who kicked the bat out of the way prior to Drew sliding in safely with a seventh run of the night for st. Louis fielder's choice and RBI and now Renteria who's been on base three times tonight after reaching base three times in Game two first and third one out a pitch out and the runners stay put ball one that's a unique play in baseball when you're running on contact if you're on a third base what you try to do is have your right foot hit the ground when the balls in the hitting area the right foot serves as a break to go back to the third if the balls hit in the air and it propels you forward if the balls hit on the ground and drew was propelled forward on that ground ball maybe back easily the Mets who were eight and three against the Cardinals this season including the two wins in the NLCS are trailing by five here in the fifth inning Renteria waiting for a 1l pitch rip white powdered right past in one and one take one more look at JD through at third place watch how he lands on his right foot as the balls in the hitting area propels him forward the extra jump momentum toward home he beat the throw one ball one strike on Renteria he mentioned it earlier like Game one in st. Louis this usually raucous crowd at Shea Stadium is dead quiet two balls and a strike each team seems to be taking turns taking a home crowd out of the games the right-hander started for the Mets today Rick read a right-hander is scheduled to start for the Mets tomorrow and Bobby Jones coming off one of if not the best postseason start in Mets history two and two on Renteria the pitching matchup at this point is scheduled to be Bobby Jones against Darryl Kile who the Cardinals Tony LaRussa will bring back on short rest he went seven innings but was under 90 pitches in Game one two balls two strikes on Renteria first in third one out and that's saved by Piazza three and two so for Game four which is tomorrow night right here on FOX 7:30 Eastern Darryl Kile it's Bobby Jones with that one hit shutout Game four against the Giants had saved a plane trip back to San Francisco and propelled these Mets into the NLCS the second year in a row white with a 3-2 count that was nearly a ball it's been called a couple of times this season the big leagues the pitcher has got to make a distinct step toward third and white barely went to third if at all first and third one out three balls two strikes beanie at first running Renteria grounds to short Ron will score it's 8 2 by starting the runner the Cardinals avoid the inning-ending double play and get another run and lead by 6 first two games in st. Louis the Mets could do no wrong tonight the Cardinals can do no wrong everything is working first in third one out the runner is sent and an RBI for Renteria on the plate Pina moves again in the scoring position second RBI for Renteria tonight the twenty five-year-old shortstop is been fantastic for Tony LaRussa he is some player and he Edmond strike one fact of all the guys in this team Tim Tony LaRussa gets that look in his eye about Renteria the Cardinals when they were going to acquire Renteria made a call to Jim Leyland who's now an assistant to Walt Jocketty the Cardinal general manager and said what kind of guy is he got the stamp of approval from Jim Leyland he has that and more from Tony LaRussa runner at second two out Edmonds at the plate one ball one strike enjoy LaRussa telling us a story that when the Cardinals clinched the division series against Atlanta and the postgame celebration Edgar Renteria took Tony LaRussa's side he said like I told Jim I'll be there for you in October as Edmonds is behind on the count 1 & 2 game-winning hit and the divisional series against the Giants for the Marlins in 1997 and Game one and then he won the World Series [Applause] one or two on Edmonds sky [Applause] at this moment Perez puts it away more the Budweiser blimp and its eye on the sky camera proud to provide you with these live shots 1,000 feet above New York tied for most of the majors they have their work cut out for him here although by no means a shut you down type pitcher and Andy Bennett he has had two key double plays turned behind him in his game as Perez leads it off with a line drive that just stayed in the air and was caught by Park at one away well that ball stayed in the air long time the opposite way off the bat of Paris he only has one home run that was an inside park inside the park home run on September 24th in Philadelphia but Timo Parra is not bad for a guy making $36,000 that's your if any is as valuable as anybody in this lineup right now yeah along certain lines here's the most valuable makes any sense of strength over the outside corner this guy at Garneau Alfonso is spectacular two out of two tonight five out of eight in this series and when the vets need a big head that's what I was talking about last inning will Clark trying to help Fernando Vania locate that pop-up and Alfonzo pops up to the Cardinals second baseman that's what Joe was talking about Clark pointing up almost like someone walking by a hotel here in Manhattan you see that quite office right matter of fact was that one right up there 45th floor officer two out nobody on and ball one to Piazza Piazza is old for two and hit into one of those two double plays immense at first and third nobody out in the first inning in Piazza bounced into a nicely turned five four three double play fights at ease and pinion but it gets worse for the Mets in their fans after loading the bases with nobody out in the fourth inning Jay Payton bounced into a 4 3 double play well handled by Vania and after a walk to boarding Hamilton a pinch-hitter flied to shallow center to end the inning end the threat take Glendon rush out of the game and wouldn't you know it the Cardinals came right back with three runs against the right-hander Rick white in the top of this fifth inning to make it 8 2 two balls and a strike on Piazza now two and two the Mets could do it they might activate Koosman and Matlack for the rest of this series there she is Lady Liberty Jerry Koosman a great left-hander for the New York Mets John Matlack also a terrific left-hander in the early seventies thinking into this career in Texas to to to Piazza went to out is lon away for ball three easier to hit in these situations because the pitch is more predictable Sid Mike gets a fastball Cheddar's is back Renteria but out and the Mets go in order for the first time all night here as we move to the 6th inning and the Cardinals are up 8 to 2 will Clark will lead off former teammate bob brenly's is down by the field and Brenly was a cagey old veteran when Clark came aboard and here's what we'll has to say about his former teammate now our teammate well was a rookie at the time and we thought maybe we could deflate his ego just a little bit by messing up his favorite cowboy boots but he took it in the vein it was intended and it really went a long way towards becoming a part of that team so two guys that turned into announcers Krukow and Brenly yeah should have been painted Bob at least you painted them giant colors right orange oh absolutely only one on Clark and that's ripped foul Dave Mackay to skip the rope you named him will the thrill' is that right do I are my sources correct Bob indeed you are correct Joe he was you know such a larger-than-life figure even as a rookie strutting around the clubhouse and and one day I just asked him well you know what are you so happy about rookie and he said I'm just thrilled to be here you've hurt wills voice draw and I said well we're thrilled to have you here as a matter of fact that's your new name and it gets a base hit into right field is over to stop it get it back in a leadoff hit talked about that look on wills face Bobby saw this face a little bit huh way too much one of the more intense teammates or competitors I ever played against I mean he approaches every game every at-bat every inning as if it's the last game he's ever gonna play tell you will Clark has made himself a lot of money to break it down to the economics of the situation because and Bob you'll attest to this I think most people in baseball thought he was finished I mean he had some terrible years production-wise power wise RBI wise with a Baltimore Orioles he wasn't getting any better and then he comes to the Cardinals and he hits 345 with 12 homers 42 RBIs in the last two months somebody's going to want him next year aren't they I agree 100% I think the beginning of what most people perceived as the end of will Clark's career came back in 1992 and I remember vividly taking extra batting practice at Mile High Stadium in Denver where the ball obviously carries much like it does at Coors Field he took 15 minutes of extra batting practice and did not hit a ball out of Mile High Stadium that raised some eyebrows to say the least and a lot of people felt that will had lost his power he'd lost the sock in his swing but obviously that is not the case another aspect of will Clark is he's as you talked about he is in your face and he's a guy who's always talking and that act could wear thin on a team that's no good like the Baltimore Orioles that was more or less a veteran team Clark is running his pocket grounds to second on the 4-3 groundout by Paul Kent so Bob would you agree that him walking into the colonel clubhouse at a young team for the most part that was struggling to find some sort of identity when McGwire was down and out and wasn't available the rest of the season that rah-rah stuff and then your face stuff works over the short term and I think gave this Cardinal team a lift to get him to this point some people call it cockiness some people call it confidence whatever you call it will Clark definitely has it and if it's something that a team needs to get them over the hump that last piece to the puzzle he's certainly a guy that can supply that kind of enthusiast breaking ball down and away for ball wanted to tease Mike Easler the Cardinal hitting instructor interviewed for the Pittsburgh Pirates job said if I get it one of the first things I'm going to try to do is get will Clark over there because they need an influence like that marks its second with one out two teams takes ball two to a No not only an influence but 2176 hits for his career 284 home runs and one of the very few major league players with a lifetime average career over 300 303 lifetime after this season two balls no strikes on two teeth two and one the Cardinals tonight not only getting offense but they're getting offense from some spots that so far to this point the series hadn't been there for Edmonds hadn't driven inter on Briard it was two-run double in the first inning a man at the plate now to TESE was hitting so poorly down the stretch the Tony LaRussa put two T's in his big contract extension on the bench he made his first start of the postseason in Game two he's starting in Game three more likely being there in game for tomorrow night as he takes one hi three and one he's doubled off the wall and he said a sac fly the opposite way the Cardinals who don't have McGwire in their lineup obviously on a regular basis needs some more right-handed presence somebody to pound the ball and to tease could fill that role if he's selected he takes a one-out walk so it's two on with one out JD Drew will bat we'll talk about what's coming your way tomorrow America's favorite pregame show he's hard-working hard-hitting and right on target for a football information to get you ready for a full day of action tomorrow noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific here's drew and there's strike one drew a single is last time up later score to run a three run fifth inning for st. Louis two on one out he'll one while on a strike the draft started in 1965 and since the draft started has been one time when brothers were selected in the first round and that was when J do JD and his brother Tim were selected in the first round in 1997 from Valdosta Georgia two on one out now ball two and you know what I'm leading up to the youngest of the druze maybe the best of the three from what we understand Joe goes by the nickname of dirt that's his nickname dirt drew he is an infielder outfielder and really traveled around for much of the summer with big brother JD on the charters in the dugout making ground balls to bulls the strength now 2 & 2 on drew with two on and one out maybe the first player certainly in the first round next year dirt crews up lately 17 now he's a senior in high school involved us about last 'hi in southern Georgia known for their football program down there great high school football played in southern Georgia Rick white on 2 & 2 drew fouls it back and out of play everybody state police must have here at the ballpark hoping for what they've seen a lot of this season from these Mets and that is late-inning life Cardinals doing today what they had done in their last 5 League Championship Series games combined eight runs tonight for st. Louis on 12 hits drill rips a base hit into right field on a high delivery Clark won't come to the plate Perez comes up firing court [Applause] Timo Perez gets Clark at the plate - OH [Applause] along with all of his other talents he can throw you may have seen the two great defensive plays in Game two by Peres and this throw right on the money to nail will Clark what an impressive player Peres is Piazza with the mask off and in that sliding area even though Clark does have a clear path but look at Piazza that leg out there and applies attack Piazza one of many many catches that where is the mask on some tag plays at home now Carlos Hernandez takes a strike first and third two out two veterans coming together on that play who weren't all too excited about a collision no no balls one strike first and third two-out Hernandez an RBI hit in this game and he is jammed bordick comes on that takes care of the rest so the Cardinals had two hits a walk in the inning and Rick white with help from Timo Perez keeps it the only run of that in England Glendon rush came in and did so well in relief and now he's back to work in the sixth we'll deal with Ventura Zeile and Agbayani hitting chuck to the live-action and ball one to Ventura walked and scored his last time up infield outfield pretty much straight away a ball and a strike to Ventura who's over one perhaps you folks may remember the graphic that was up last inning where the Mets have come back 45 times this year Ventura off the end of the bat drew in right one and that is true however the Mets have not come back from a deficit of sectional runs and the che faithful remember that game it was on June 30th when they scored eight runs in the bottom of the 8th inning capped off by a two run homer by Mike Piazza Terry Mulholland there it is right there that was the first time they faced the Braves this year and what a big win that was one out nobody on and a strike on the outside corner to Zeile it was at that point that you thought maybe the Mets might get over the hump so to speak with the Atlanta Braves we did the game the next day here at Shea Stadium and that's when Greg Maddux wasn't feeling well and was knocked around but then the next night Tommy Glavine shut down the Mets and the Braves ended up a game the NL East and again looking down at the Mets in the standings at the end of the year so instead of the Mets winning three out of four from the Braves they split that series Lanta Braves held them at bay against the Cardinals three and out Redbirds scoring 24 runs in that three-game series and looking more like the Cardinals that played the Braves tonight and they did in the first two games in st. Louis one ball two strikes seal is gone strikeout number two for Andy Bennett Tony LaRussa for the most part predicted this type game before Andy Bennett yeah said he's not gonna strike out a lot of guys he's not gonna is not gonna be pretty they're gonna be runners on base he's gonna leave runners he's gonna need good defense behind him what she's had and he'll be happy to get through six or seven innings tonight and leave with the lead coming up the Yankees and Mariners tonight game for 7:30 Eastern on NBC and then their game five tomorrow at 4:00 Eastern Bob Costas Jill Morgan Jim Gray Yankees lead that series 2 games to 1 then the Cardinals at Mets game for tomorrow night at 7:30 here on Fox out by Ani flies to center here's Andy Benes tonight's starter for st. Louis talking about the thrill he is said of playing with his younger brother Allen also in a Cardinal uniform went to Arizona for two seasons he had a player option to climb that option it came back to st. Louis and he is gone for the first out here in the seventh inning as Rick white gets him with strikes the personal lines alan venice the younger brother of andy his life is expecting and they think the baby is going to be born on November fourth what's odd about that well nothing other than the fact that Andy and their sister both have children born on November fourth talked about all in the family pressure is on Alan's wife Mary three cousins born from the same day here's Vania Fernando two out of four facing Rick white we said last inning White's job is to give innings not tear up that Mets bullpen with st. Louis out on top eight two vini with one out nobody on four hits in this LCS originally property of these Mets went to Seattle rule five draft and then offered back is traded to the Brewers he checks on board good play two out [Applause] Fernando zinnia grounding out to short Mike bordick showed off a good arm on this play so two out and Edgar rentería being his double play partner stands in crowd quiet and for the most part they've been that way since the start when the Cardinals came up with two runs in the first inning crowd got into it when Rick Reed got around to first and third nobody out situation with three consecutive strikeouts and then really got into it in the bottom of the first with first and third nobody out Piazza up but he bounced into a 5 4 3 double play then in the fourth inning down by 4 at the start of the inning the Mets loaded the bases with nobody out and got only one run when Jay Payton bounced into a 4 3 double play and after a walk to bordick a pinch-hitter Hamilton flied to Center so two big chances one of the first one in the fourth and double plays bail and events and the criminals out of trouble [Applause] at first in the Cardinals go one two three in the top of the seventh back back at Shea Stadium these fans are up stretching and having fun despite the score Jay Payton will lead it off bottom three in the owner for the Mets and these fans are trying to get something going for the home town errs who trail by six and Ibanez giving st. Louis exactly what it needed only 1/8 to lead in the seventh inning down two games to none playing here in Game three but innings pitches and rest for that short bolt then the Bob Brentley talked about before the start of the game as Dennis cook gets loose the pitchers spot Rick White's spot due up third in this seventh inning [Applause] one ball one strike - one Jason Christa Jim the only left-hander that Tony LaRussa has in his bullpen getting loose [Applause] again Andy Bennis was on the disabled list with inflammation in his right knee from mid-august until September 4th paetynn fouls it back here and Benes has made only three starts since august 14 he was on the mound when st. Louis got that six to win the final day of the regular season in st. Louis over Cincinnati while the Atlanta Braves were blowing a ninth-inning lead with John Rocker on the mound a key error by Chipper Jones is strike three call one out with that turn of events on October the first that Cardinals got home-field advantage for the first round against Atlanta I really think that was a big day not only for the Cardinals but for the Braves to blow that ninth-inning lead and have to start the series in st. Louis I don't think there is any question about it people talk about home-field advantage certainly it certainly helped our appeared to have helped the Cardinals and those first two games in st. Louis 90 second pitch of the night is fouled away by bordick Joe that was a day also and his last at-bat of the year todd helton hit a three-run home run his 42nd of the year what a year that young man has one of the sweetest swings in the game now led the National League in batting average RBIs eight behind Barry Bonds make that seven behind Barry Bonds for the home run leadership so we missed the Triple Crown by seven home runs while high altitude or not he can hit flathead two balls two strikes on bordick one out nobody on Lenny Harris you had a shot of him on deck one of the game's best pinch hitters ever todd helton could flat hit and the guy who placed replaced him a quarterback can flat throw I'll say former quarterback at Tennessee bordick still 2 and 2 by the name of Peyton Manning I think he's the best quarterback in football now he's one of Kurt Warner still has to rank at or near the top but Peyton is right there bordick with a two ball two strike count strikes out over the inside corner the crowd groans with that called third strike venez catching a break go to the inside corner tonight on box hit the streets and clean up fry with an all-new cops then you can help bring suspects to Justin Harris digs in at home plate so far all for two in this postseason a guy with 130 career pitches we said it during the season it's my opinion that Lenny Harris as much as anybody in the National League will be a major league manager if he chooses when his career is over he's affable he's intelligent he knows pitching even though he's never been a catcher or a pitcher he knows hitting he knows base running and really who better to call on than somebody who for the last five or six years has been on the bench watching managerial moves why during when his spots going to come up it's exactly right bases empty two out and Harris fights it off still one and two that's when you get a different view as a player when you make that transition of being a regular or so long in Lenny's case and then becoming an extra man you see it from both sides now the said you start understanding more of the moves that a manager has to make the problems he has to deal with the 25 plastic he started this season with Arizona watched Buck Showalter who is no longer there and then was traded back to these Mets and has watched a good one in Bobby Valentine too to pitch and Andy Ventus struck out the side of every Cardinal starter and their lineup has at least one hitting that includes the pitcher Andy Benes Bennis 7 innings he's allowed just the 2 runs he struck out the side all looking in the seventh inning fine that's the entire post season two games has not appeared in this LCS until now Bobby Jones will be the starter tomorrow night 7:30 Eastern here on Fox take on Darryl Kile on the Cardinals trying to hang on and win here tonight to run the series count to two games to one in favor of the Mets the old one now what so it too crook was in the bullpen warming up and getting ready to come in when the Mets got that run in the ninth inning driven in by Jay Payton in Game two so cook took a seat bonita has got loose and Benitez walked one struck out Lawton pitched a scoreless ninth the same admins could not hold up he's gone that's out number one here at the top of the eighth looks like a cut fastball or a slider and there's similar pitches the amendments could not hold up in time so far in the 2000 LCS and that includes the American League Championship Series the home team won in for the only victory to this point is Game two by the Yankees and who knows where the Yankees would be without that seven run outburst in the bottom of the 8th inning to come back and beat Seattle who had dominated until that point led Wanda nothing Yankees won last night and you and I were talking before the game will Clark strike one the Yankees played their best game not only at the postseason but in a long while last night in Seattle in my view Joe it was their best game since September 9th that was when they swept the Red Sox at Fenway they had a rain a rainout game makeup game they had to play at Yankee Stadium they lost that game and that started their dive and I mean dive winning only three of their last 18 games and then struggling against the Oakland Athletics a feisty plucky Oh Stu Oakland Athletics team but look at the starting pitching the pitching period had allowed only five runs in three games the Seattle Mariners and the offense kicking it in it's good to see a good guy like Tino Martinez come alive here in the postseason after a down year offensively Bernie Williams getting a swing back they will be a handful and then some for Paul Abbott who starts tonight taking on Roger Clemens who pitched with short rest in the division series against Oakland will pitch with long rest tonight two balls two strikes on Clark we were talking about it the other day on the off day that had the Yankees won that game two to one I don't think they approached the third game in Seattle like they did [Applause] came to the plate in case you're just joining us [Applause] with the bases loaded and Glendon rush got him on a pop-up into shallow left knock by Ani on the other end of it and McGuire had his first swings of this LCS that spot on deck the three tuna Clark with one out is another foul ball and it stays full Benny Agbayani back on August 12 Giants at the Mets only two outs and he handed a man the ball and Jeff Kent scored had to get the ball back Ellis Burks came in to score and made it three to one the match did come back and win that game Clark is gone back-to-back strikeouts good work by cook we took care of Edmunds and now will Clark it's like a 3-2 slider you can see that spin of the slider if the spin on a slider is tight pitchers referred to it as a dime slider if the pitch on a slider is loose they refer to it as a quarter slider and from a catcher's standpoint a hitter standpoint if it's tight it looks as though you can almost place a dime in the spin and when it's loose a quarter in the spin against the right guys I might fly a quarter of a mile strike one on pot cats second at-bat he went in defensively he showed you the McGwire at-bat he was pinch-hitting for Ray Lankford with the bases loaded against the left-hander rush and after he flied out Craig Paquette went into the liner McGuire is watching the rest of this one from the bench in a one ball one strike count on Puckett those guys that have those Silver Dollar spins on their sliders are pitching in Sunday night beer leagues right but it's kind of interesting though the tighter the spin Jill Becker was the first guy that called that to my attention Jo of pitching coach for the Cardinals back in the late sixties in a good ball Kent takes care of that high delivery and rips it into left field his first hit first LCS hit for Craig Paquette in this matchup with the Mets let's check out and how tightly wrapped this slider is that's a tightly wrapped slider that's a dime spin slider right there wrap the left so Dennis cook called me thinking what's worth a plug nickel that's life and it's one on two-out for two tees this is a major development for the Cardinals to get to tea swinging the bat better if that indeed continues again without McGwire in the lineup as the seven train will be back shortly yep without McGwire in the lineup there really isn't a right-handed power presence in Tony LaRussa's everyday line up with the exception of Tootsie spit him self buried on the bench before Game two when he made a start and had an RBI game-tying double that came in the eighth inning a back game fifth inning round and then cities was pulled in a double switch one ball one strike one on two out fold the string and it's one and two [Applause] and he Venice may trot out there for the bottom this 8 one on two out one two pitch do it again like James getting loose Tony Larusso always has to wonder about future games you know he's got Andy Bennett's in this game now he could run him back out there for the eighth in it you could try to have him save something with a thought that he may get another start and get another start on short rest later in this LCS [Applause] / Cardinals get a two-out hit from podcast strand their 10th of the night bottom of the eighth Vinick bench bat they trail 82 Tony LaRussa telling us before the game that Rick Ankiel will not start another game in the NLCS Beres pops it down the right-field line [Applause] [Music] [Applause] excuse me joke but he could start or not start but pitch out of the bullpen MIT's ten but however they're behind by six runs and once again they only came back once down by six runs or more this year Paris thinks ball - - and to tell a guy who could get a start is Britt reams yeah nasty stuff VP - the other night 27 year old rookie who came on to pick up and deal that long top of the first in game to Turk Wendell getting loose [Applause] peres Alphonso and Piazza hard hit but right at Clark that's or tonight for the New York Mets they had chances early in fact they had five hits through the first four innings and were handed three walks by Andy Bennis but those double plays again one off the bat of Piazza one off the bat of paper and the Mets stranded for runners on along with hitting into the two double plays in the first four innings mr. it rains Pat Henken dreams right our left is Alfonso flies when the deep centerfield and get now will likely start Game five if the Cardinals hang on and win here tonight they will assure the baseball world of the five-game LCS don't forget coming up tonight game for the Yankees at the Mariners Roger Clemens against Paul Abbott at 7:30 Eastern on NBC game five tomorrow at 4:00 Eastern the Yankees right now leading that series two games to one and the Cardinals and Mets tomorrow night game four Darryl Kile against Bobby Jones on Fox at 7:30 Eastern Piazza strike one so far tonight Andy Bennis has put the monster back in the cage not only is Piazza o for three but he's left three runners on the big bats have gone silent in Game three for New York one ball one strike two and one you can see Andy been is staring into carlos Hernandez the catcher I wonder if the polish is worn off the fingernail could be yeah who knows what how Andy's use it Liquid Paper to single Fiats his first hit but that small consolation at this point considering the opportunities Piazza had earlier [Applause] how's that fingernail polish working out down there Bob oh it's hanging in there great what a great endorsement for somebody in a liquid paper or whomever but the you can clearly see it still hanging in there on Carlos Fernandez fingertips [Applause] one on two out venture ball one [Applause] a leg up on one step for Dave Duncan imagine Venice won't go much farther than this he's through a tunic ventura grounds to clark a dominating performance tonight by andy benna's his dirt Wendell is on the mound for New York drue who takes a ball outside it was Drew's pinch hit RBI double against Wendell in the 8th inning of Game two that tied the game momentarily until the Mets went ahead for good in the top of the 9th six five one ball one strike on drew good pitch strength too Wendell came up with the cups trade it to these Mets and misses two and two Wendell will be a highly sought after right-hander out on the market does good work and a lot of work out of a bullpen still 2 & 2 on drew Wendell's contract up after this season looks like Turk Wendell's necklace and he wears it every game we can't see it tonight usually it's flopping around there good pitch to get drew speaking of the necklace here's Turk Wendell and outdoorsmen and an amateur dentist and father of cute Dakota brace yourself Hernandez pops it up over near the Cardinal dugout breath around here is Turin Piazza go near the top step to out nicely played by Robin Ventura and an easier play for Ventura to because he could scoot along the top step Piazza going head on the right guy made the right play coming up after the game cops in America's Most Wanted except out on the west coast don't forget Game four of this National League Championship Series will come your way tomorrow night 7:30 Eastern as Rick Wilkins will bat for Andy Bennis who gave the Cardinals to this point their biggest start of the season Wilkins a former xxx homerun guy with the Cubs when he was there everyday captured bulging discs up in his neck it took him a while to recover from that operation he's been with the Astros he's been with the Dodgers he's with the Cardinals and was at their triple-a affiliate in Memphis and part of that Memphis Redbirds it up in the triple-a World Series representing the Pacific Coast League Memphis and the Pacific Coast League as Wilkins gets out in front and fouls it into the seats on two and they played Indianapolis in the triple-a World Series in Las Vegas go figure in front of a crowd of about nine musial Jersey and the date on the hat commemorating the day that Stan hung him up last hit off Jim Maloney a low fastball between first and second and sixth inning on that day Oh tuna Wilkins flair in the left long run for poor dick can he get there great play inning over poor dick the only chance act by on he didn't get a good break on it Mike bordick a long way for the third out of the top of the ninth Mets last chance they trail st. Louis County stepped up when the Cardinals needed him to and gave st. Louis everything he could going eight and now Mike James is out of the bullpen the trying to finish this one on the bound for st. Louis [Music] the st. Louis Cardinals and the Minnesota Twins is the last time the Cardinals played in the World Series back in 1987 and it was the first time in World Series history where the home team won every game the Minnesota Twins won the first two in Minneapolis the Cardinals won the next three in st. Louis in Minnesota won Game six and seven in Minneapolis the way that series is going premature perhaps to talk about it the Cardinals winning two on the road at st. Louis the Cardinals are the Mets I should say winning two in st. Louis and the Cardinals unless the Mets can dramatically come-from-behind will win tonight ZL leads off against came she was the one who want corticon the right dump after giving up a home run to Zeile and Payton in the ninth inning of Game one [Applause] somebody perhaps you get our drift if the Cardinals won tomorrow and Monday and then the Mets won on Wednesday and Thursday it would be the first time in postseason baseball history that eats that that both teams win all road games he'll still Owen - and again that's premature but that's what's happened if the Cardinals can hold on they have a 6 run lead the stage is set the first time in baseball history perhaps seal one out of three pair of strikeouts left side Renteria and [Applause] with a second knock of the night just to get to this ball off-balance throw its wide base hit Brazil but a great athletic play nonetheless [Applause] Renteria who made 27 errors during the regular season an alarming figure for somebody with that talent shows you his range and his arm now on Bionic takes ball 1 sometimes from an athletic standpoint if you're a shortstop you're the victim of your range your athleticism is responsible for you not only getting to a lot of balls that most guys wouldn't get to but getting to a lot of balls and perhaps overthrowing or under throwing first the ball like that that ball could have skidded past will Clark and it would have been an error maybe but how many shortstops get to a ball like that hot by ani trying to excite these Mets fans even more leadoff man is on nobody out 8 to st. Louis in the ninth in the 1o pitch Giorno [Applause] and even this isn't going to watch anymore down the tunnel Dave Duncan will visit Mike James as there is action for the Cardinals in their bullpen when you're hit by six runs obviously if the team's going to come from behind with the only three outs to do it like the mix would have to do the worst thing you can do as a pitcher is to be wild ball one ball two ball three with every pitch the crowd all of a sudden makes it really a bigger situation than it really is base hit base hit is a lot different from both one two three and ultimately pole [Applause] three balls no strikes [Applause] to put the first two on for the match here in the ninth-inning James after a perfect eighth inning in the ninth did this seal a home run to make it four to nothing then after I buy on a single that flattest budget James was finished then and he's finished now Joe I think Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan they realized what we're just talking about and that's why the quick hook painting his own for two of the walk as fears takes over as numbers in this postseason he appeared in Game two faced one batter and gave up an RBI single to Zeile on the corner it's one of all [Applause] another fall bone off in the distance as these Mets trying to make something happen and tonight strength to that moon would have meant something last night on Friday the 13th but not tonight Saturday the 14th you know we talked about Edgar Renteria Jim Leyland there was Tony LaRussa's very good friend signing off on Renteria Leyland was also behind in the Cardinals and again he's on the Cardinal payroll now also very much in favor of the Cardinals acquiring Dave beers who came in the same trade from the Rockies with Darryl Kile believing that fears even though he doesn't have overpowering stuff will continue progress and be a good major league closer you got strike and payton goes back to the dugout shaking his head and i don't blame him that pitch was outside right there ed Rapuano wrapping up JPEG last time Paton struck out he thought the ball was low this time he thought it was outside you can see Hernandez yanking it back across the plate good job by Hernandez Payton down for the first out in this inning Pat Franco will come off the bench and hit for bordick who was over 2 with a walk two on one out and another wide strike the other way [Applause] phears very good against left-handed hitters because of the forkball [Applause] he's match wondering how big this plates going to get its own to the plate 17 inches wide and after the call on Payton and now the two calls on Franco the Mets have to wonder if the plates not 21 inches wide two on one out oh and 2 on Matt Franco at Porton ball and Franco lays off last year in Colorado and fears didn't start the season as the closer he ended up saving 31 games which is an accomplishment pitching out of Coors Field half the time Jim Leyland likes the makeup on fears one ball two strikes two on one out on the outside corner no Franco walks away shaking his head back-to-back strikeouts from fears and another pinch-hitter coming to the plate Bobby Valentine livid and so is Matt Franco if you're a pitcher in a situation like this and an umpire shows he's going to give you that pitch at pitches four inches off the plate that ball wasn't even close but if you're a pitcher and if you're a catcher then you keep firing down those lanes off the plate Valentine livid and he can't really blame me Bubba Trammell now off the bench bets down to their final out here in Game three and fears give him credit at least he's working the corners extended its own one on Trammell we're going to give it to you or he's going to give it to you the home plate umpire take it [Music] [Applause] all-in-one the counter- sets up outside travel went and it's only two and fears is in a spot to strike out the side entering with two on and nobody out in the night Bubba clearly going too far on that breaking ball two on two out the Cardinals one strength away from their first win in this series wanted to talked about bordick his first at-bat with a bats homering against the Cardinals and Andy Bennis Trammell did the same thing in his first Mets at-bat the next afternoon on a Sunday the 30th of July the one two two and two [Applause] Timo Perez waits on deck now their arguments as to how old Perez is they claim and he claims 23 report out of Japan said he was 31 two to the treble inside corner game over and the Cardinals win at eight two and they trail in the series 2 games to one pitching and defense tonight for st. Louis and the Cardinals pounded-out runs against the right-handers for Bobby Valentine both Rick Reed and Rick Whiteman they want 78 games during the regular season against right-handed starters and look very very strong offensively once again tonight Andy fenneis applauding as the Cardinals and Cardinal fans applauded his efforts the starters game for tomorrow night 7:30 here on Fox Bobby Jones so good in Game four the division series the one-hit shutout taking on the Cardinal 20 game winner who went seven innings in Game one allowing three earned runs Darryl Kile so a final of eight to two the combination of Bennis James and veers shutting down the Mets offense which had started to roll let's go down to Steve Lyons Steve you

Channel: Cardinals Baseball Classics

Views: 6,804

Keywords: mlb, baseball, mlb baseball, playoffs, mlb playoffs, nlcs, 2000 nlcs, st. louis cardinals, new york mets, 2000 st. louis cardinals, andy benes, will clark, fernando tatis, jim edmonds, tony la russa

Id: krtpVxKOvGs

Length: 150min 12sec (9012 seconds)

Published: Fri Jun 29 2018