FWHORN
10,000+ Posts
Depending on what happens over next 4 to 7 days, last nights ninth inning could well go down as most important inning in the history of the Rangers organization.
Rangers come into the ninth having wasted a termendous pitching outing by Lewis and even though Ogando gave up the single the bullpen held the Cards to that single run, on most days more than enough to win a game. They also come in with only three hits and but for a first and third chance with two outs in the fourth nary a whisper of a real run scoring threat.
The top of the order is up and Kinsler has been Texas' hottest hitter in the series. Then, LaRussa makes his first mistake of the evening playing his outfield way too deep to take away doubles that the Texas lineup hasnt shown any ability to hit all evening. A bloop single that would have been caught in any other inning gets Kinsler on board. Andrus cant get down a bunt but than a mistake pitch gets a sharp single that advances Kinsler to third and of course Andrus to second on the error by Pujols. Not sure it was really an error but that is for another thread already started.
Now Larussa makes his next mistake. He doesnt trust his closer and so Rhodes comes in and I immediately think SAC fly. Hamilton is injured he is a strikeout waiting to happen but LaRussa brings in the one pitcher that is going to give him something to drive to the outfield. Tie Game. LaRussa is now overmanaging the game and his third mistake of the half inning brings in Lynn and again my thought is SAC fly coming. And it does 2-1 Rangers.
Wash hasnt been outstanding this post season because of what he has done, but rather what he hasnt, he has let game come to Rangers. He didnt put a stop sign on Kinsler to steal second in the ninth, he didnt bring in another reliever for Adams in the 8th when the Cards threatened. Washington trusted his players. He gets in trouble for that trust but it is refreshing in contrast to LaRussa who fundamentally doesnt trust his players. So while LaRussa has won a couple of post season games for the Cards with his decisions last night he lost one and it may be the biggest ever for the Rangers if they can take advantage of the gifts.
Game three is huge and they only get huger from here on out but should the Rangers find the magic we will all look back on that ninth inning for years to come as the rubicon that the Rangers swept across.
Rangers come into the ninth having wasted a termendous pitching outing by Lewis and even though Ogando gave up the single the bullpen held the Cards to that single run, on most days more than enough to win a game. They also come in with only three hits and but for a first and third chance with two outs in the fourth nary a whisper of a real run scoring threat.
The top of the order is up and Kinsler has been Texas' hottest hitter in the series. Then, LaRussa makes his first mistake of the evening playing his outfield way too deep to take away doubles that the Texas lineup hasnt shown any ability to hit all evening. A bloop single that would have been caught in any other inning gets Kinsler on board. Andrus cant get down a bunt but than a mistake pitch gets a sharp single that advances Kinsler to third and of course Andrus to second on the error by Pujols. Not sure it was really an error but that is for another thread already started.
Now Larussa makes his next mistake. He doesnt trust his closer and so Rhodes comes in and I immediately think SAC fly. Hamilton is injured he is a strikeout waiting to happen but LaRussa brings in the one pitcher that is going to give him something to drive to the outfield. Tie Game. LaRussa is now overmanaging the game and his third mistake of the half inning brings in Lynn and again my thought is SAC fly coming. And it does 2-1 Rangers.
Wash hasnt been outstanding this post season because of what he has done, but rather what he hasnt, he has let game come to Rangers. He didnt put a stop sign on Kinsler to steal second in the ninth, he didnt bring in another reliever for Adams in the 8th when the Cards threatened. Washington trusted his players. He gets in trouble for that trust but it is refreshing in contrast to LaRussa who fundamentally doesnt trust his players. So while LaRussa has won a couple of post season games for the Cards with his decisions last night he lost one and it may be the biggest ever for the Rangers if they can take advantage of the gifts.
Game three is huge and they only get huger from here on out but should the Rangers find the magic we will all look back on that ninth inning for years to come as the rubicon that the Rangers swept across.
