The 2004 NLCS has been overshadowed due to the Boston Red Sox’s miracle comeback against the Yankees. Despite this, the 2004 NLCS was arguably one of the best postseason series of all time. The St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros squared off to determine who would go to the World Series.
After St. Louis took a 2-0 series lead in the first 2 games, the series shifted to Houston, where the Astros won 2 to bring up a critical game 5. The winner of Game 5 shifts the momentum of the series in games 6 and 7. Game 5 pitted St. Louis starter Woody Williams against the young Brandon Backe of the Astros.
Williams, the 2003 All Star, had to deal with a top heavy Houston Astros order of Craig Biggio, Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Jeff Bagwell, and Jeff Kent. Backe, although he went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs in his NLDS start, struck little fear into the dangerous Cardinals lineup of Tony Womack, Larry Walker, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Edgar Renteria and Reggie Sanders, with Mike Matheney and Williams finishing out the order. Backe, who pitched to the tune of a 4.98 ERA and 5.01 FIP so far into his career, had a challenge ahead.
Both pitchers started out strong. Backe retired the first 13 Cardinals he faced and Williams gave up a single, 2 walks and HBP, which did no damage. Backe ran into trouble in the top of the 6th. Tony Womack got a single with 2 outs and a Larry Walker walk put 2 runners on with 2 out and Pujols at the plate. Backe got Pujols to fly out to second baseman Kent to end the threat. Williams allowed no base runners in the 6th or 7th inning, but was replaced by pinch hitter John Mabry in the top of the 8th. Williams took 93 pitches to go 7, gave up no runs and so far gave the Astros little chance.
Backe retired Sanders, Matheny and Mabry in the top of the 8th and was replaced by pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro. In 100 pitches, Backe only allowed 3 base runners in 8 innings. In the bottom half of the 8th, Jason Isringhausen retired Ausmus, Palmeiro and Biggio. The Astros brought in Brad Lidge for the 9th inning of the 0-0 tied game, shifting Palmeiro to left and pulling Craig Biggio. Lidge needed only 9 pitches to induce a Tony Womack groundout and to strike out Walker and Pujols swinging. Embed from Getty Images,
Isringhausen, the 2004 Games Finished and Saves leader, came out for his second inning of work, facing the heart of the Astros order.
On Isringhausen's 14th pitch of the night, allowed a single to right field to the ever dangerous Carlos Beltran. It only took 5 pitches to force a pop up from Bagwell to center fielder Jim Edmonds. With 2 strikes on the next batter Lance Berkman, Beltran took off for second base and successfully stealing it. With the force at first base gone, Isringhausen intentionally walked Berkman to keep the force play available, but bringing up Jeff Kent to the plate.
Kent already had 2 home runs in the series, but little else. Isringhausen checked on Beltran at second before delivering his first, and only, pitch to Kent. Kent smashed the ball into left field, far above the seats and the outfield for a mammoth 3 run shot to give the Astros the walk off win. The stadium erupted, as Kent’s shot gave the Astros a 3-0 win over the Cardinals and a 3-2 series lead heading back to St. Louis.
May your pennants fly forever.
-Prentiss
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