NLDS - Stros outlast Cards in 5

In a series featuring three one-run games, the ’03 Astros came back from a 2-1 deficit to knock out the East Division champion ’49 Cardinals in five games.

Game one saw the Cardinals outhit Houston 17-9, yet fall 10-9 as the usually steady Howie Pollet was uncharacteristically wild, walked 6 and surrendering 5 earned runs on only 5 innings of work. The Astros scored all 5 of those in the third inning, to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 lead. The Cardinals came back to tie the score, and the teams went back and forth before Houston scored 3 in the 8^th to put themselves a safe distance ahead. Jeff Bagwell drove in 5 of the Astros runs, hitting two home runs in the process. Billy Wagner picked up the save, although the Cardinals, who trailed 10-8 going into the bottom of the ninth, picked up a run and had the tying run on base when Wagner got Eddie Kazak to pop up for the final out.

The Cardinals bounced back to win the next two, 5-4 at home and 6-3 in the first game in Houston’s cozy Minute Maid Park. Red Munger and Gerry Staley combined to keep the Astros just behind the Cardinals in the tight game 2 contest, although walks continues to be an issue as they gave up 8 free passes.  Astros pitchers were not any better, surrendering 8 walks of their own, five from starter Tim Redding who took the loss.

Harry Brecheen went 7 strong innings, and Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter hit back to back homers

to break a 3-all tie as the Cardinals got to within a game of advancing in the game 3 win.

The pivotal game 4 was about as tight of a game as you will see. The Astros got a run in the ninth for a 4-3 win, with both teams getting 8 hits, and neither team making an error. Cardinal pitchers found their control, walking only one while Houston handed out 4 bases on balls.  The Cardinals squandered several opportunities to end the series in this game, leaving 8 runners on base. Houston took better advantage of their chances, stranding only 3.  The lone Cardinal walk doomed them, as Ted Wilks gave it up to Jeff Bagwell with one out in the ninth. Bagwell then stole second, and scored on Morgan Ensberg’s walk-off double.

Game five was another close one through 6 innings, with the clubs tied at 5. The Astros then pulled away with 2 in the 7^th and 2 in the 8^th to run away with the 9-5 victory. Regular season ERA champ Howie Pollet was again roughed up, surrendering 7 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work.  Only once during the regular season did Pollet give up as many as 4 earned runs. His game 5 loss was his worst start of the season. The two Jeff’s, Kent and Bagwell, each had 3 hits in this one with Kent driving in four runs. Ensberg, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Brad Ausmus each chipped in two hits.

--submitted by Bike Mike--