Baseball Playoff Update #4

Above: Vladimir Guerrero of the California Angels hits a 9th inning single to center field to drive in two runs and lead the Angels to a 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Going into the 9th inning, the Red Sox were leading 6-4. Boston reliever Jonathan Papelbon got the first two outs but then gave up three hits and two walks to allow the Angels to take the lead. Boston is now eliminated from the playoffs.

Baseball Playoff Update #3

Above: St. Louis Cardinals players watch from the dugout as their team loses to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. The season is now over for the Cardinals.

A bad night for St. Louis area sports fans

Last night was a rather terrible night for St. Louis area sports fans--

• The Atlanta Thrashers beat the Blues 4-2 in the Blues' home opener;
• An escalator at the Scottrade Center malfunctioned after the game and injured 13 fans;
• Nebraska beat Mizzou 27-12 in football; and, of course,
• The Cardinals lost.

Baseball Playoff Update #2

Above: The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the National League Division series. Losing 2-1 with two outs in the 9th inning, the Dodgers came back to win after Cardinal outfielder Matt Holliday dropped what should have been the game ending fly ball. Holliday later told reporters that he lost the ball in the lights.

Prior to the 9th inning collapse, this posting was going to be all about how brilliant Adam Wainwright is.

Baseball Playoff Update #1

In Game 1 of the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3. Here are the important statistics:

• Number of runners left on base: 30 -- a new post-season record for a nine inning game
• Number of times an inning ended with the bases loaded: 4 -- three times by the Dodgers
• Number of walks: 13 -- including two intentional walks to Albert Pujols
• Number of batters hit by pitch: 4 -- two for each team
• Number of pitchers used: 12
• Number of players who appeared and who also played for the Cardinals during the 2006 World Series: 5 --Chris Carpenter (pictured above), Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, Ronnie Belliard (for the Dodgers), and Jeff Weaver (for the Dodgers-- he was the winning pitcher)
• Inning during which the broadcast technical difficulties were the worst: 4th
• Time of game: 3:54

Click here for the box score.

Below: Matt Holliday argues with home plate umpire Dana DeMuth after being called out looking with the bases loaded in the first inning.