Thursday, October 8, 2009

Heartbreak for Holliday

The St. Louis Cardinals were one out away from tying the NLDS at a game apiece.

With the Cardinals leading 2-1, Dodgers first baseman James Loney hit what appeared to be a routine line out but Cardinals left fielder either didn't pick up the ball or had a bad jump because it bounced off his chest and Loney ended up at second. Juan Pierre was inserted as a pinch runner.

Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin then walked Casey Blake and then gave up a game tying single to Ronnie Belliard. Franklin then issued another walk to Russell Martin. This brought up pinch hitter Mark Loretta. During his career, Loretta was hitless in fifteen at bats against Franklin. Not this time. Loretta hit a bloop single to score Blake to give the Dodgers a 3-2 win and a two games to none lead in the NLDS.

Ironically, Holliday had a hit a homerun in the 2nd inning to give the Cards a 1-0 lead. It doesn't take much to go from hero to goat in this game.

The Dodgers could sweep the Cardinals on Saturday night at Busch Stadium and advance to the NLCS.

Or perhaps Holliday could redeem himself in St. Louis.

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