WhatIfBaseball Game 2

WhatIfBaseball:
In an never before seen move the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and St. Louis Cardinals agreed to play games 2 and 3 on the same day, in different cities. The fans are ecstatic, the players are giddy, the airlines are rich, so in the immortal words of Mr. Cub – ‘Let’s play two!’

Game 2:
The game began as much as a ‘must win’ as possible for the Angels. Going in they knew that for them to stand a chance they would need a quality game from Lackey. Lackey had been the most consistent start for the Angels over the final weeks of the season as well as the playoffs so confidence was relatively high going in.

Game 2 was a struggle and tug of war, with 4 lead changes and 3 ties, requiring late inning heroics from Vlad to nail down the 5-4 win for the Angels.From the outset it looked like the 2 starters weren’t long for the game. Lackey began the game by hitting the 2nd batter and proceeding to give up consecutive doubles, allowing the Cards to take a 2-0 leat after ½ and inning. Fortunately The Angels were able to put a 3 spot on the board in their half, starting the scoring by a misplayed ball at third. With the bases loaded and no outs Garret Anderson hit a ground ball to Nunez who attempted to cut down Figgins at home, Figgins slid in safely to put the Angels on the board. Later in the inning Erstad hit a 2 out double plating 2 more closing the scoring in the first with the Angels leading 3-2.

With the shakey first innings behind the pitchers both settled in and dealt. The Cards were able to post a single run in the 3rd, thanks to a bases loaded walk. The Angels were able to scrap a go-ahead run in the fifth with a homer from Orlando Cabrera.

With the Angles leading 4-3 in the 7th, Shields was called from the pen and yielding 1 un-earned run due to a misplayed ball by Anderson in left.

Deadlocked at 4 the Angels turned to their bread and butter, little ball. Kennedy led the inning with a single. He was then bunted over by Figgins, and with 2 outs Vlad drove him home with a clutch double.

The relievers held serve the rest of the game with K-Rod coming in and pitching a 1 out save in the 9th, preserving the game 2 win for the Angels. Series tied 1-1, with game 3 later that day in St. Louis.