WhatIfBaseball Game 4

Game 4:
The weather was splendid for the start of game 4. The Angels started a rejuvenated Paul Byrd, finishing the season strong, while the Cards started Matt Morris. Expectations were high for both teams, as the Cards held to a 2 game to 1 lead.
The game was a see-saw battle but the Cardinals rallied, sparked by two former Angels, in the 8th inning the Cards took the lead for good and taking a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. This rally brought the Cardinals 1 game from their first World Series title since 1982 (after losing in their past 3 trips).

The game began auspiciously with Morris hitting Figgins but both pitchers pitched solid 1st innings... and that is when the wheels came off for both teams. Top of the second Morris hit his second batter of the game in Juan Rivera, and then a home run to one of the 2 Molinas playing (Bengie). In the bottom of the same frame, the Cardinals started the inning with double, run scoring single, single, a home run by the OTHER Molina in the game, strike out of Morris, beanings of Eckstein and Walker, and a run scoring single, before Byrd settled down to get the final 2 outs of the 2nd. At the end of this bloodfest inning the Cardinals held a 5-2 lead.

Both pitchers settled in until the 6th when the Angels rallied after getting 2 quick outs scoring 4 runs with 4 consecutive hits bookended by 2 walks. At the end of this rally the Angels held a tenuous 6-5 lead and turned the game over to their to this point steady and solid pen.

Scot Shields pitched 2 solid scoreless innings and handed the ball to Escobar in the 8th. Just as the inning started it was obvious that Escobar did not have his grade A stuff. Getting Jason Marquis, brought in to pinch hit, to fly out... but the wheels were held on with duct tape as Eckstein homered, Walker singled, Pujols doubled, and Edmonds homered. At the end of this the Cardinals were leading 9-6. End of story as the Angels had no rally left in them.

The fans were on the edge of their seats throughout the game and were duly rewarded. The Angels now look to tomorrow as a literal must win. Stay tuned.