NLCS NOTES
ST. LOUIS – A key contributor in the Cardinals’ six-run sixth-inning was former Met Roger Cedeno, who entered the game as a pinch hitter with runners on second and third with one out.
Cedeno hit a slow roller that hugged the first base line and looked like it was heading foul until Jeff Bagwell suddenly scooped up the ball and tagged out Cedeno. Edgar Renteria scored from third on the play, the first run of the decisive inning.
“The ball was going so slow, I just wanted to get Renteria in and he got a great jump,” Cedeno said. “I thought for a second it might go foul. I was just trying to bring in the run somehow.”
Astro manager Phil Garner wouldn’t second-guess Bagwell’s decision.
“I’ve had those balls kick fair and go down the line for a double,” Garner said.
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After a triple, single and a double, Larry Walker had a chance for the cycle when he came to bat in the eighth inning. He took huge swings, but wound up striking out.
“I knew what was at stake,” he said. “So I thought I’d give it a shot. Couldn’t you tell by the way I swung?”
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The Astros or Cardinals don’t seem too perturbed with the lack of attention their NLCS is getting compared to the ALCS. Both series were played at the same time last night with the Yankees-Red Sox game being broadcast to three-quarters of the country.
“This is going to be a good series, too,” Garner said. “There’s going to be a lot of people tuned into the Yankees and they’re going to see what scores are coming from this series. They’re going to hear what’s going on and there’s going to be a lot of people start watching our series.
“We have great hitting on both sides; the possibility of good pitching from both sides. There’s going to be some terrific defensive plays. We have the ingredients here on both sides of the diamond for a lot of good play, a lot of interesting play.”
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Matt Morris, the Cardinals’ starting pitcher in Game 2 tonight, defended the group hug the Cards and Dodgers shared at the end of their NLDS series, and said he’d be willing to do the same at the end of the NLCS.
“We’re willing,” he said. “We should all be congratulated for a great season, win or lose, both teams.”
