At 7-0, it’s the beginning of June and a Friday night.
At 8-5, it’s Sunday at 1 p.m., and sinking despair.
Also, Trevor Rosenthal must pitch the ninth inning.
The Cards’ closer had 27 saves in 29 attempts, but struggled to get through an inning without allowing multiple hits and walks. The opposing offense suddenly rose with (not from) ash: with an out or two to spare.
The other team has all game to make this a competition. They shouldn’t get the 9th, too.
Never mind. Rosenthal struck out his first White Sox hitter, J.B. Shuck, tonight.
When the Carlos Sanchez singled, I had to choose between evidence of another blown save and fandom.
A strike! Go get ’em, Rosey.
Adam Eaton dropped a ball foul to fall behind 0-2, and then cracked a ball into the stands.
He didn’t hit anyone watching the game. He didn’t hit the next pitch, either.
With two out, Rosenthal faced Tyler Saladino.
He chopped a ball to second base, and Jhonny Peralta fired to 1st.
Out. Game over.
Pesky, pesky, pesky replay.
The Cardinals should have a mulligan for 1,985 close plays at first.
Instead, last year’s rookie of the year, Jose Abreu, had a chance with two outs, team down two runs.
Yeah. He grounded out to first.
It wasn’t close.
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