| 2004 National League Championship Series |
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| st. louis cardinals postseason | |
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In a series in which all seven games were won by the home team, the Cardinals won 4-3 to advance to the World Series against the American League Champion Boston Red Sox . The Red Sox reached their first World Series since 1986 , with the Cardinals playing in their first since 1987 . While the NLCS was an exciting back-and-forth series, it was overshadowed in media attention by Boston's comeback in the ALCS. Managers: Tony LaRussa (St. Louis), Phil Garner (Houston) Umpires: Tim Welke , Eric Cooper , Gary Darling , Mike Winters , Angel Hernandez , Ed Rapuano Series MVP: Albert Pujols (St. Louis) '''Television (, Steve Lyons , and Bob Brenly MATCHUPS |
Game 1, October 13 In the series opener at St. Louis' Busch Stadium , the Cardinals break open a 4-4 game with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and hold on for a 10-7 win over the Astros. Game 2, October 14 The Cardinals beat the Astros 6-4 and take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Cardinals break a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with back-to-back Home Run s from Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen ; Rolen also hit a game-tying homer in the fifth inning. Game 3, October 16 In the first game of the series played in Houston's Minute Maid Park , the Astros defeat the Cardinals 5-2 behind home runs by Jeff Kent , Carlos Beltrán , and Lance Berkman . Roger Clemens pitches seven innings for the win, which leaves the Astros trailing 2-1 in the series. Game 4, October 17 The Astros even the series with the Cardinals at two games apiece with a 6-5 win. Carlos Beltrán supplies the winning margin with a solo home run in the seventh inning. Beltrán ties records for the most home runs in a single postseason (eight) and most consecutive postseason games with a home run (five). Game 5, October 18 The Astros defeat the Cardinals 3-0. Jeff Kent drives in the winning runs with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Astros starter Brandon Backe takes a Perfect Game into the fifth inning, when he walked Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds , and allows only one hit (a single to second baseman Tony Womack ) in eight innings. Houston leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6, October 20 Returning to St. Louis, Matt Morris starts game 6 for the Cardinals, as does Pete Munro for the Astros. The scoring begins with Carlos Beltrán coming home in the top of the first off of a sacrifice fly. The Cardinals respond in the second with a 2 run homer by the red-hot Albert Pujols. In the third, Jeff Bagwell his a double for Astros, bringing Carlos Beltrán back home and putting another one for the Astros. Again, the Cardinals respond when Edgar Renteria hits a single scoring Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. In the top of the ninth inning, 2 outs from losing, Bagwell hits a miracle single, scoring the tying run in Morgan Ensberg . The game goes into extra innings, but the Astros' good fortune turned sour when Jim Edmonds hits a walk-off homer in the bottom of the twelfth, sending the series to a Game 7 showdown. Game 7, October 21 The final, deciding Game 7 started off with Astros' leadoff man Craig Biggio smacking a home run in the game's first at-bat off Cardinals' starter Jeff Suppan to make it 1-0. The Astros' threat continued in the 2nd by putting two men on, but thanks to a tremendous catch by Jim Edmonds the Cardinals were able to get out of the inning unscathed. In the 3rd, however, the Astros made it 2-0 with Carlos Beltran scoring on a passed ball from Edmonds to third baseman Scott Rolen . The Cardinals were able to battle back, scoring Tony Womack on a squeeze play, cutting the lead to 2-1. Then in the 6th Albert Pujols doubled to tie the game and Scott Rolen put the Redbirds ahead with a two run home run off Roger Clemens . St. Louis added another insurance run and Jason Isringhausen shut down Houston in the 9th to win the Cardinals their first National League pennant in 17 years. |
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