Missed chances, a missed sliding catch and a few inches here and there doomed the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night as they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the World Series, 3-2. Nelson Cruz’s attempt at a sliding catch in the sixth inning came up just short, and the Cardinals had the go-ahead, and game-winning, hit they needed.
2011 World Series: Texas Rangers Miss Chances In Game 1 Loss
Over at SB Nation Dallas, Robbie Griffin took a look at the game, lamenting the missed chances and inability of the offense to string together hits.
There was not a whole lot to be happy about in the loss, either. So many players were bad. Ian Kinsler had two base hits, but each of the three hitters behind him responded with oh-fors. The combination of David Murphy and Craig Gentry did the same. Chris Carpenter was clearly struggling with command, but the Rangers were incapable of taking advantage of it.
So it’s all bad for the Rangers, right? Not so fast, Griffin says. Game 1 is over and done with, but the Rangers can still escape St. Louis with momentum. Thursday presents Texas with a clean slate and a chance to head back to Texas with a knotted series.
Despite some terrible performances, the Rangers had so many opportunities to win. For some, that will keep them up tonight. For some, that can be their silver lining. The preview had this game as slightly favoring the Rangers, but only slightly, and yet still favored them to win the series. Win Thursday and Texas goes home with a 1-1 lead; and splitting at home in the setting of this series would be dramatically in their favor, and all you could ask for.
The Rangers and Cardinals get back at it on Thursday at 8:05 p.m. EDT in St. Louis.
For more on this game, check out the rest of the Baseball Nation live-blog and Jeff Sullivan’s recap.
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