It was a mix-up, and thats all Im going to say, was La Russasexplanation. On our team, nobody gets thrown under the bus.
Said Pujols: I dont want to tell you. .. Thats secret. I cant tell youhow I play my game.
Pujols is 0 for 12 in the Series other than his 5-for-6, three-homer,six-RBI performance in Game 3. He was intentionally walked in the seventh forthe third time in the gamethis time with no one on. After a single byHolliday and an intentional walk to Berkman, David Freese(notes) flied out on the nextpitch.
Then, after Allen Craig was hit by Neftali Felizs(notes) pitch leading off theninth, Pujols struck out as Craig was caught stealing second again.
When the Series resumes Wednesday night in St. Louis, Jaime Garcia(notes) startsfor the Cardinals and Colby Lewis(notes) for the Rangers. The forecast calls for an 80percent chance of rain. St. Louis could use some extra time to regroup.
After beating Wilson in last weeks opener, Carpenter gave up solo homers toMitch Moreland(notes) in the third and Adrian Beltre(notes) in the sixth, starting the Texascomeback. He allowed six hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked two.
It was 2-all when Texas put runners on first and second with one out in theeighth on Michael Youngs(notes) leadoff double against loser Octavio Dotel(notes) and aone-out intentional walk to Nelson Cruz(notes).
Murphys infield hit off Rzepczynski loaded the bases for theright-handed-hitting Napoli, who drove the ball to the gap in right-center toraise his Series average to .309 with two homers and nine RBIs. The Rangers ranout of the dugout to celebrate.
Would Motte have faced Napoli had he been warmed up?
La Russa said yes, Lilliquist said no.
Rzepczynski wasnt surprised he was left in.
Not at all, especially with the lefty being on deck. Ive done that allyear, where if theres a righty in between, Im going to go out there and getthe chance to get the righty out, he said.
Motte wasnt aware of the mix-up until reporters asked in the postgameclubhouse.
I go out there. The phone rings, and we get going when were told, hesaid. I started throwing when I was told to start throwing.
Lilliquist thought the mix-up didnt make much of a difference, that LaRussa wanted Rzepczynski to face Napoli.
Its basically miscommunication. It was loud. A lot of places are likethat, he said. The phone is as good as any phone.
La Russa said the first time he called the bullpen in the ninth, he wantedtwo pitchers to get warm.
They heard Rzepczynski, and they didnt get Motte. I looked up there andMotte wasnt going, he said. So I called back for Motte, and they got Lynnup.
Rzepczynski struck out Moreland, and once Lynn came in, he intentionallywalked Ian Kinsler(notes) before Motte finally relieved.
He struck out Elvis Andrus(notes). By then, the damage had been done.
We have nothing to be worry about, Molina said. Were going back toSt. Louis to win at home.
And perhaps La Russa will find a new method of signaling his bullpen.
Yeah, smoke signals from the dugout, he said.
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