World Series Game 3: Albert Pujols Does Pujols Things
Well, through the first five innings Saturday night, there was a total of 14 runs scored. And the Cardinals only added on more in the top of the sixth.
Alexi Ogando came on to handle the inning, and - good news! - he struck out Allen Craig on a foul tip. That was a big moment for a reliever who'd twice been victimized in the series.
Unfortunately for Ogando and the Rangers, he had to pitch to other guys as well, and against those other guys Ogando did much much worse. He walked Ryan Theriot to lead off. Rafael Furcal followed with a very weak ground ball that nevertheless squeaked through to the outfield. Then Craig struck out, bringing up Albert Pujols.
Slamma-lamma ding-dong!
Note first the intended location. Now note the actual location. Ogando was trying to throw Pujols a fastball down and away, but instead he threw him a fastball up and in, and Pujols obliterated the mistake. Albert Pujols can’t stand mistakes. Albert Pujols is a perfectionist, not just with himself but also with others, and whenever Albert Pujols sees anybody make a mistake, he takes it upon himself to teach a lesson.
So, 11-6. But wait! Matt Holliday followed Pujols with a grounder to short that Elvis Andrus fumbled. Then Lance Berkman singled. Then David Freese walked, and Ogando was removed in favor of Mike Gonzalez with the bases loaded. Gonzalez retired the two batters he saw, but the first of them lifted a sac fly, so it's 12-6 St. Louis going into the holy crap it is still only the sixth inning.
