amag
09-04-2002, 04:28 PM
09/04/2002 00:15 am ET
Williams looks sharp against Reds
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stl/news/stl_news.jsp?ymd=20020904&content_id=120590&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp
ST. LOUIS -- Welcome back, Woody Williams. Welcome back, September baseball.
Both had tried to make a comeback in the last week or so. Both actually succeeded at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night. Williams pitched a sharp six innings and the Cardinals won a crisp, entertaining, high-quality ballgame, 3-1. The No. 2 man in the Redbirds rotation started shaky but finished strong, picking up his seventh win of the season.
"That's kind of what we expect when Woody pitches," said manager Tony La Russa. "He rose to the occasion. Actually pitched a lot like he did in Cincinnati (last Thursday). ... Woody was ouitstanding."
Five days ago in Cincinnati, Williams made his return from the disabled list after missing nearly eight weeks with a strained left oblique. He gave up five runs in four innings on the day before the strike deadline, as the Cardinals were thumped 7-0. Everyone in a St. Louis uniform seemed out of sorts. In fact, despite his line, Williams might have been the best player on the team that day. Still, he wasn't pleased. And neither were his teammates.
That's a big part of why Tuesday night's win was so sweet.
"It was nice to finally get out there and do something to help the team, rather than what I did last start and obviously just sitting around for seven weeks," Williams said.
Equally important, Williams got help from his team.
St. Louis played strong defense -- unlike the last time he pitched. Jim Edmonds delivered a big hit early when he cranked a two-run homer to give Williams a 2-1 lead in the third-inning. The Cardinals "manufactured" one more run in the eighth on a single, a throwing error, a sacrifice bunt by J.D. Drew and a sacrifice fly from Edmonds. The bullpen came in behind Williams and shut down the Reds.
It was, simply, a fun night to be at Busch Stadium, unless you were wearing a visitors uniform.
"As a player, that's what you want," Williams said. "Obviously it's nice to have a blowout every now and then. ... But a game like tonight is what it's about. I gave up (a first-inning) run and was able to shut them down. Jimmy (Edmonds) had a big night, three RBIs. J.D.'s bunt. It was just a well-played ballgame. I think for anyone watching it or being a part of it, that's what it's all about. Had to enjoy it."
Williams started the game on the shaky side. He gave up a run on a pair of doubles in the first inning, then saw two balls hit to the warning track in the second.
Then he settled down and looked like the Woody Williams the Cardinals have gotten used to over the past 13 months. Williams retired 15 of the last 18 batters he faced. The only man who made it past first base after the first inning was Jason LaRue, who eked out a bloop Texas League double. No one was getting any more off Williams.
"He got sharp about the third inning," said catcher Mike Matheny. "Started feeling comfortable then. After that he really got locked in."
Should the Cardinals make the playoffs, Williams is their likely Game 2 starter. That's a long way off, but it's beginning to loom on the horizon. Considering he would likely face Curt Schilling or Randy Johnson, he'll need to be at his best. And so will his teammates.
"He throws the ball well and he always gives you a good outing," Drew said. "You know he's gonna compete. He did it again tonight. I know he wants to do it at the plate also. You can really see how much he wants to contribute. It's important to play your best behind him defensively and give him whatever support you can offensively."
Matthew Leach covers the Cardinals for MLB.com. He can be reached at Matthew_H_Leach@yahoo.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Williams looks sharp against Reds
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stl/news/stl_news.jsp?ymd=20020904&content_id=120590&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp
ST. LOUIS -- Welcome back, Woody Williams. Welcome back, September baseball.
Both had tried to make a comeback in the last week or so. Both actually succeeded at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night. Williams pitched a sharp six innings and the Cardinals won a crisp, entertaining, high-quality ballgame, 3-1. The No. 2 man in the Redbirds rotation started shaky but finished strong, picking up his seventh win of the season.
"That's kind of what we expect when Woody pitches," said manager Tony La Russa. "He rose to the occasion. Actually pitched a lot like he did in Cincinnati (last Thursday). ... Woody was ouitstanding."
Five days ago in Cincinnati, Williams made his return from the disabled list after missing nearly eight weeks with a strained left oblique. He gave up five runs in four innings on the day before the strike deadline, as the Cardinals were thumped 7-0. Everyone in a St. Louis uniform seemed out of sorts. In fact, despite his line, Williams might have been the best player on the team that day. Still, he wasn't pleased. And neither were his teammates.
That's a big part of why Tuesday night's win was so sweet.
"It was nice to finally get out there and do something to help the team, rather than what I did last start and obviously just sitting around for seven weeks," Williams said.
Equally important, Williams got help from his team.
St. Louis played strong defense -- unlike the last time he pitched. Jim Edmonds delivered a big hit early when he cranked a two-run homer to give Williams a 2-1 lead in the third-inning. The Cardinals "manufactured" one more run in the eighth on a single, a throwing error, a sacrifice bunt by J.D. Drew and a sacrifice fly from Edmonds. The bullpen came in behind Williams and shut down the Reds.
It was, simply, a fun night to be at Busch Stadium, unless you were wearing a visitors uniform.
"As a player, that's what you want," Williams said. "Obviously it's nice to have a blowout every now and then. ... But a game like tonight is what it's about. I gave up (a first-inning) run and was able to shut them down. Jimmy (Edmonds) had a big night, three RBIs. J.D.'s bunt. It was just a well-played ballgame. I think for anyone watching it or being a part of it, that's what it's all about. Had to enjoy it."
Williams started the game on the shaky side. He gave up a run on a pair of doubles in the first inning, then saw two balls hit to the warning track in the second.
Then he settled down and looked like the Woody Williams the Cardinals have gotten used to over the past 13 months. Williams retired 15 of the last 18 batters he faced. The only man who made it past first base after the first inning was Jason LaRue, who eked out a bloop Texas League double. No one was getting any more off Williams.
"He got sharp about the third inning," said catcher Mike Matheny. "Started feeling comfortable then. After that he really got locked in."
Should the Cardinals make the playoffs, Williams is their likely Game 2 starter. That's a long way off, but it's beginning to loom on the horizon. Considering he would likely face Curt Schilling or Randy Johnson, he'll need to be at his best. And so will his teammates.
"He throws the ball well and he always gives you a good outing," Drew said. "You know he's gonna compete. He did it again tonight. I know he wants to do it at the plate also. You can really see how much he wants to contribute. It's important to play your best behind him defensively and give him whatever support you can offensively."
Matthew Leach covers the Cardinals for MLB.com. He can be reached at Matthew_H_Leach@yahoo.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.