What can be said about Game Seven of the 2006 NLCS that hasn't already been said?
The game was tied at one in the top of the 6th, when Scott Rolen hit a two-run homer to left that put the Cardinals up by two with 12 outs to go... except that he didn't, because Endy Chavez made one of the most ridiculous catches in Postseason history.
In the bottom of the inning, Rolen added insult to injury by throwing a ball that should have been the second out of the inning into the seats, giving the Mets a 2nd and 3rd, one out situation. In a move that you probably would not see in the baseball of today, the Cardinals then chose to intentionally walk Shawn Green to load the bases, and left starter Jeff Suppan in to face the lefthanded batting Jose Valentine. Valentine struck out, to bring up Chavez, who had made that ridiculous catch just moments earlier. Suppan induced a pop fly to center.
Crisis Averted. Suppan's eventual NLCS MVP secured.
The game stayed at 1-1 until the 9th. With one-out, Rolen singled to left. On the very next pitch, .216 hitter (during the regular season) Yadier Molina hit a ball to left field that did what Rolen's blast in the 6th couldn't - get over the wall to give the Cardinals a two-run lead.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Cardinals called on rookie closer Adam Wainwright to secure the pennant. As if this series needed any more drama, the Mets loaded the bases with two outs, with Cardinals Killer Carlos Beltran coming to the plate. Needing a single to tie, and a double to (probably) win the pennant, Beltran took a first-pitch changeup for a strike, then fouled off a pitch away, before taking a nasty curveball for strike three. Just like that, it was over. Goliath went down hard, and the Cardinals had the National League crown.
For the Mets, it was bitter disappointment. For the Cardinals, it was on to Detroit.
16 янв 2019
