Final
Carpenter tries to help Cardinals close out Padres
Oct 8, 2006 - 2:21 PM San Diego at St. Louis 8:09 pm EDT National League Division Series Cardinals lead, 2-1ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Chris Carpenter can send the St. Louis Cardinals to the National League Championship Series by getting even with an old friend.
Carpenter gets the call against former teammate Woody Williams on Sunday when the Cardinals again try to eliminate the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series.
The reigning Cy Young Award winner, Carpenter (15-8, 3.09 ERA) looked sharp in winning the series opener, allowing just one run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts.
However, he was roughed up in his final regular season start against Williams, surrendering six runs and a season-high 12 hits on September 26.
"I think that no matter what game it is and ... how many times you've seen 'em, the goal is to execute pitches and execute your game plan," Carpenter said. "And if you can do that, you'll have success. If you can't, you won't."
Williams (12-5, 3.65), who played with St. Louis from 2001-2004, is making his first start this postseason. He faced the Cardinals in Game Three of last year's NLDS and was tagged for five runs in 1 2/3 frames.
The 40-year-old Williams is 26-8 all-time in St. Louis and has won seven of his last eight decisions. It was a strong finish to a campaign that was plagued by a calf injury in May and June.
"We have so much confidence in Woody," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "I mean, he's pitched some big games for us in the stretch. He's been through it. That's where it really starts."
After going 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position in two defeats to St. Louis at home, the Padres finally received some timely hitting on the road in Saturday's 3-1 triumph over the Cardinals.
Russell Branyan delivered a two-run double in the fourth inning, Chris Young worked 6 2/3 scoreless frames and closer Trevor Hoffman picked up a save after a relatively easy ninth.
"Chris went out there and did what we needed," Bochy said. "He put zeros on the board. And he's had a great year for us. And he continued today with the way he threw the ball. That's a tough lineup."
Following eight straight losses to the Cardinals in the NLDS, the Padres can tie the series and force a deciding Game Five at home on Monday.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Tuesday Open Thread Dec 26
- Vote on the Cardinals next best prospect - 2024 Dec 25
- Cardinals in the Lab: Offseason Tracker Dec 24
- Update: Padres officially sign reliever Yuki Matsui to five-year deal Dec 23
- What Would You Do With $33M? (An Open Thread Discussion) Dec 23
- Padres notes: Luis Patino brought back, Victor Rodriguez next hitting coach Dec 22
- Good Morning San Diego: Could Padres trade Ha-Seong Kim, Jake Cronenworth? Dec 22
- John Mozeliak has not closed the door on the Cardinals adding a starting pitcher Dec 22
- Vote on the Cardinals’ best prospect - 2024 Dec 21
- Good Morning San Diego: Who is new Padres reliever Yuki Matsui? Dec 21
- Let’s Argue! The Cardinals Lineup Dec 20
- Pulled Fly Balls: An Area For Growth Dec 19