Cardiac Cards!

HOUSTON, TX - It was the 9th inning of game 5, the visiting Cardinals were down to their last out. Minute Maid Park was in a frenzy. David "the Pest" Eckstein was at the plate. 1 ball, 2 strike count. 1 simple strike was all that was needed. The previous two batters went down swinging. 1 simple strike from baseball's most overpowering closer. 1 simple strike for the team that had 79-1 record this season when they carried a lead into the ninth inning. That 1 simple strike never made it to the catcher's mitt. David Eckstein ripped a single past the outstretched glove of Morgan Ensberg. And just like that the Cards had the tying run coming to the plate in the person of Jim Edmonds.

Five pitches later Edmonds was on first with a walk. Albert Pujols stepped into the batter's box and missed Lidge's first slider that was in the dirt. The next pitch from Lidge was a mistake...a colossal mistake...a put the champagne back in their crates and start packing your bags for St. Louis mistake...a hanging slider right in the center of home plate that Pujols sent for a big time ride.

Cards win 5-4.

The momentum has shifted...thanks to David Eckstein. Old Busch Stadium will host baseball at least one more time. How about those Cardinals?