The St Louis Cardinals beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 in Game 2 of the World Series, evening the series at one game apiece.
After Wednesday night's thrashing, Cardinals fans couldn't have come into this one too confident, could they have?
The good news: unless a baby seal is tortured on the mound, tonight's Cardinals game should go better than last night's.
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) October 24, 2013
Oh. Well then.
James Taylor sang the national anthem before the game started, and things were off to a strange turn right off the bat.
Did James Taylor start singing the wrong song?
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 24, 2013
Robot James Taylor doesn't screw up the national anthem. #humanelement
— Jason Berger (@jayberger) October 24, 2013
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL OH SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT A MUP MUP MUP
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 24, 2013
The plan for either side seemed quite simple.
Cardinals keys to the game: what the fuck were you doing last night
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Red Sox keys to the game: defeat Satan
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Game 2 didn't get off to quite the dynamic start that Game 1 did, as both teams were scoreless through the first three.
Gomes 1-for-2 on belly flops
— Jack Moore (@jh_moore) October 25, 2013
On the "baby steps" scale, Game 2 has been vastly better for the Cardinals already …
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) October 25, 2013
Michael Wacha got off to a solid start for the Cardinals, striking out two of the first three hitters in the first.
The best thing about Michael Wacha is that he has elevated Fozzie Bear to the next level in The Muppets hierarchy.
— Tim McGinnis (@Aisle424) October 25, 2013
I like Michael Wacha. he throws 95-plus and works like he has a hot date waiting for him after the game.
— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) October 25, 2013
fastest half inning in the history of the Red Sox #truefacts
— Harry Pavlidis (@harrypav) October 25, 2013
Changeup We Can Believe In #Wacha
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 25, 2013
If you've ever said "Wachtober," please jump out of a 2nd story window on to a bike with no seat.
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) October 25, 2013
I wonder how Statler and Waldorf liked that first inning
— jasoncollette (@jasoncollette) October 25, 2013
Wacha walked Mike Napoli in the second to give Boston their first baserunner of the night, and this seemed appropriate.
MORE LIKE WALKA WALKA AMIRITE
— Eric Michel (@ericmichel) October 25, 2013
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were also in rare form on Thursday, hitting every possible narrative they could.
Tim McCarver calling him “Victorina.” Sweet retirement, so close.
— AHHHHHrik Malinowski (@erikmal) October 25, 2013
55 years in baseball, sure, but McCarver didn't know Baby Ruth bar named for infant daughter of President Grover Cleveland?
— Stefan Fatsis (@stefanfatsis) October 25, 2013
It's Game 2 of the World Series. Time for extended Lance Berkman talk.
— Eric Freeman (@freemaneric) October 25, 2013
Ruh roh…Joe Buck just dropped a Cardinals "Do it the right way"…everyone take a drink.
— Chip Buck (@Chip_Buck) October 25, 2013
And in case you didn't know, Wacha went 19th overall in the 2012 Draft, which apparently means 18 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE ARE IDIOTS (or something).
remember, all of Wacha's success is some scouting director's complete and utter failure. #FoxFacts
— Mike Bates (@commnman) October 25, 2013
"How they let this guy drop to the 184th pick is beyond me" – a reporter about a player who is doing well one season
— Ricardo Marquez (@iBlogBetter) October 25, 2013
Oh, right. The baseball game. Well, this was a tight game, which was a huge plus over last night.
End of the 2nd and the score isn't 5-0. WE GOT OURSELVES A BASEBALL GAME GUYS! MA! A BASEBALL GAME IS ON THE TELE!
— Ricardo Marquez (@iBlogBetter) October 25, 2013
There was a Chris Carpenter sighting in the Cardinals dugout. No word on the status of Shelby Miller, though.
we have now seen Chris Carpenter more recently than Shelby Miller
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Chris Carpenter is really adding a lot to this telecazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
— AHHHHHrik Malinowski (@erikmal) October 25, 2013
The Cardinals put peanut butter in Carpenter's mouth so it would look like he's talking.
— Eric Freeman (@freemaneric) October 25, 2013
@amandarykoff @Lana It's getting serious. #FindShelby — pic.twitter.com/NSgsSlldfQ
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) October 25, 2013
Between innings, there was a commercial for pistachio nuts starring Psy. Remember him?
Dear pistachios, you have succeeded in turning me against your product. That was the intent, right?
— Mike Bates (@commnman) October 25, 2013
Has it gotten to the point that pistachios are boycotted because of Psi? #GangnamStyle
— Ace (@AJShag) October 25, 2013
Anyway: THE BASEBALL GAME. Yes, the baseball game. Matt Holliday led off the fourth with a triple off of John Lackey.
Leadoff triple? RALLY KILLER. Oh…wait no that's not right.
— Ricardo Marquez (@iBlogBetter) October 25, 2013
Jacoby Ellsbury shows that no matter how long you’ve played at Fenway, it can make you look silly. Triple for Holliday.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) October 25, 2013
Holliday would score on a ground out by Yadier Molina to put the Cardinals in front 1-0.
john lackey can't reach dot gif
— Harry Pavlidis (@harrypav) October 25, 2013
Hey! A lead! First time the #stlcards have led the Red Sox in the World Series since the 60's.
— CE's Mustache (@CEs_Mustache) October 25, 2013
I do hope the Cardinals beat this other team of nice Amish men.
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) October 25, 2013
Of course, that led to some lovely hyberbole by Tim McCarver.
"He's the most creative second baseman in the game." I don't even know what that means, Tim.
— Amanda Rykoff (@amandarykoff) October 25, 2013
Macaroni art RT @amandarykoff "He's the most creative second baseman in the game." I don't even know what that means, Tim.
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) October 25, 2013
Tim McCarver gives Pedroia a 10.0 in creativity, but the East German judge only gave him an 8.2.
— Tim McGinnis (@Aisle424) October 25, 2013
How often do you see a guy make a creative play to save a run then double off the wall the next inning
— Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) October 25, 2013
Creative to go to third on that double play.
— Not Mike (@nmttfpg) October 25, 2013
The Red Sox had a chance to tie the game in the fourth after Pedroia led off with a double and David Ortiz walked with one out, but Mike Napoli quickly bounced into a rally-killing double play.
maybe hold off on the Wacha chant until after you score a run on him
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Mike Napoli is a walking health code violation.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) October 25, 2013
meanwhile in the dugout Pete Kozma just spilled his water
— Harry Pavlidis (@harrypav) October 25, 2013
BY GAWD, THAT'S PRINCE FIELDER'S MUSIC! #Napoli
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) October 25, 2013
The Cardinals must have watched some video to adjust to the Red Sox pop-up offense.
— Tim McGinnis (@Aisle424) October 25, 2013
Somewhere, Pedro Martinez is saying "Wacha, Wacha, Wacha" over and over … I wish there was a TV camera at that somewhere.
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) October 25, 2013
Stephen Drew went 0/3 in the game, but impressed fans with his defensive plays in the fifth.
Great plays by Stephen Drew. Brother JD was injured while cheering.
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) October 25, 2013
I'll say this for Stephen Drew: He's no Pete Kozma
— Dan Wade (@Dwade) October 25, 2013
Red Sox flashing more leather than Chris Bermanohgodimsosorrypleaseforgivemeforevengoingthere
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) October 25, 2013
In the bottom of the sixth, Red Sox magic struck again. Wacha walked Pedroia with one out to bring up Ortiz, who smashed a two-run homer over the Green Monster to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. But let's be honest? Didn't we all see that coming from a mile away?
PAPI!!!
— Ryan Hudson (@ry_hudson) October 25, 2013
Big. Papi. Never a doubt.
— Paul Swydan (@Swydan) October 25, 2013
Dammit.
— CE's Mustache (@CEs_Mustache) October 25, 2013
Bomb.
— Scott (@RazorJamon) October 25, 2013
Well now he's given up runs.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 25, 2013
Letting Ortiz beat you. Really. Come on.
— Benjamin Kabak (@bkabak) October 25, 2013
Papi doing Papi things.
— Harry Pavlidis (@harrypav) October 25, 2013
Welcome to Fenway Park, kid.
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 25, 2013
THIS IS *HIS* FUCKING CITY! #ORTIZ
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) October 25, 2013
well that elevated quickly
— Matt Snyder (@MattSnyderCBS) October 25, 2013
Rally-killing homerun from Big Papi. Terrible.
— Tim McGinnis (@Aisle424) October 25, 2013
Papi's PEDs are kicking in at the perfect moment.
— Scary Rick (@RickMuscles) October 25, 2013
I had the stopwatch ready during that at-bat. #justsayin
— Larry Granillo (@wezen_ball) October 25, 2013
Wacha Wacha Boom.
— Dave Hogg (@Stareagle) October 25, 2013
whenever Big Papi hits a home run he should carry Koji over his shoulder around the bases
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Boston's lead wouldn't last. John Lackey was chased from the game after a David Freese walk and Jon Jay single, and things were getting hairy in at Fenway.
be careful Red Sox, they wait until you think they're dead to attack
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 24, 2013
Unlike most red sox fans my dislike of John lackey is consistent
— Mike R. (@RezignatdHitter) October 25, 2013
Finishing my beer as Lackey walked off the mound was my standing ovation.
— Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) October 25, 2013
Can Breslow get it done yet again?
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) October 25, 2013
Craig Breslow replaced Lackey and Pete Kozma came in to pinch run for Freese, which nearly ended in disaster.
Has someone checked to see if Kozma has put money on the Red Sox?
— Tim McGinnis (@Aisle424) October 25, 2013
going to go ahead and schedule a series of "Kozma what are you doing" tweets for game 3
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Breslow didn't get the Bogaerts Zone
— Grape (@spacemnkymafia) October 25, 2013
The Cardinals successfully executed a double steal to move both runners into scoring position.
Double steal > double rainbow
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) October 25, 2013
Cardinals had 45 steals in regular season — 29th in majors.
— David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield) October 25, 2013
Breslow followed up with a walk of Daniel Descalso to load the bases. Matt Carpenter hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Kozma and tie the game…and disaster struck soon after for Boston.
(gif via Buzzfeed)
THE CARDINALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A THROWING ERROR BY A RELIEF PITCHER. THE WORLD SERIES IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY.
— NOT BUSTER OLNEY (@TRIPPINGOLNEY) October 25, 2013
This played presented by Benny Hill.
— Jameson Fleming (@JamesonFleming) October 25, 2013
Having the other team suck on defense is The Cardinal Way.
— Tom Keiser (@keisertroll) October 25, 2013
Cardinals Devil Magic pic.twitter.com/ZaGZW0biEU
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Jarrod Saltalamacchia was charged with an error for mishandling Jonny Gomes' throw, allowing Jay to move to third. Breslow was charged with an error on his throw into the stands that allowed Jay to score and Descalso to move up to third. Carlos Beltran followed up with a single to bring Descalso in and it was 4-2 in favor of the Cardinals all of a sudden.
Ooo yea… Beltran is pretty good too
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) October 25, 2013
James Taylor came out once again during the Seventh Inning Stretch, and things went a bit smoother this time around.
I was hoping he would start with the National Anthem this time.
— Marc Normandin (@Marc_Normandin) October 25, 2013
o beautiful GOD BLESS AMERICA
— Boo SeveredHandstock (@sundownmotel) October 25, 2013
In the seventh, Carlos Martinez replaced Wacha. He got some help from Kozma, something that didn't seem too likely last night.
the redemption of Pete Kozma (not really)
— Matt Snyder (@MattSnyderCBS) October 25, 2013
Instant Kozma's gonna getcha.
— Tom Keiser (@keisertroll) October 25, 2013
The Devil Magic is rising
— Grape (@spacemnkymafia) October 25, 2013
Mad Men's Jon Hamm was shown in the crowd, and he might actually be able to celebrate a win tonight.
Baseball twitter has Jon Hamm opinions pic.twitter.com/R5elHYpzZP
— Productive Outs (@ProductiveOuts) October 25, 2013
In the eighth, Carpenter couldn't field a grounder from Ellbury, and the tides looked like they were about to turn.
This inning…might not end well for the Cardinals.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) October 25, 2013
The theme of this Series so far is the immaculate, tightly-played defense.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) October 25, 2013
I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE.
— NOT BUSTER OLNEY (@TRIPPINGOLNEY) October 25, 2013
But Martinez struck out Shane Victorino on a nasty slider.
There are warrants out for the arrest of Carlos Martinez's slider.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 25, 2013
Yeah, that slider that froze Victorino is Martinez's third pitch.
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) October 25, 2013
Mike Matheny left Martinez in to face Ortiz after he struck out Pedroia, much to the chagrin of Twitter, who clearly expected Randy Choate to come in to face the left-hander.
Nice work if you can get it as a World Series decoy, I guess, Randy Choate.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) October 25, 2013
Ortiz singled, but Martinez got Mike Napoli to pop up to end the inning.
Carlos Martinez's stuff > Boston beards #12in13
— Torty Craig (@TortyCraig) October 25, 2013
Wait, the Red Sox saw Martinez last night! I thought they figured him out!
— Brian K (@Briligerent) October 25, 2013
The Red Sox had no answer in the ninth for Trevor Rosenthal, who struck out the side on just 11 pitches.
Before you go to sleep tonight, please just take a moment to remember the life of Daniel Nava. Gone way too soon.
— Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) October 25, 2013
The Cardinals bullpen is ridiculous.
— Josh Tucker (@joshbtucker) October 25, 2013
I'd say Carlos Martinez has the best stuff of any young pitcher in the game, except that Michael Wacha & Trevor Rosenthal are there with him
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 25, 2013
"Wait, when do we get to face Jose Veras?" – Red Sox hitters right now.
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) October 25, 2013
Rosenthal clearly has shit to do and would like to leave.
— Tim Ryan (@TheSportsHernia) October 25, 2013
Memo to the Sox: don't plan on coming back past the 7th this series. Mercy.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) October 25, 2013
Dad text: "How is every Cardinals reliever 15 years old and throw 100 mph?"
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) October 25, 2013
I think I need a cold shower after all the pitching I saw tonight
— Lana Boo Berry (@Lana) October 25, 2013
Boston's World Series winning streak ends at 9.
— Josh (@YankeeJosh) October 25, 2013
Firs time I've ever watched the Red Sox lose a World Series game.
— Ryan Hudson (@ry_hudson) October 25, 2013
And that does it for Game 2. The series is all even at one game, and will be heading to St Louis as (essentially) a best of five. Game 3 will take place at 8 PM on Saturday, and will pit Jake Peavy against Joe Kelly. Expect some runs!
