amag
09-25-2002, 05:57 PM
Cardinals finish sweep of D-Backs
Rolen, Drew each hit three-run homers off Schilling
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stl/news/stl_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20020925&content_id=137283&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp
ST. LOUIS -- Garrett Stephenson escaped scoreless through five adventurous innings, and Scott Rolen and J.D. Drew hit three-run homers, as the Cardinals beat Curt Schilling and the Diamondbacks 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon.
The win closed out a three-game sweep for St. Louis, and pulled the Cardinals into a tie with Arizona for the second-best record in the National League. The Cardinals have won eight of their last nine games and 18 of 21. They won the season series with the Diamondbacks, meaning that if the teams finish tied, St. Louis will have home-field advantage in the NL Division Series starting Tuesday.
Rolen, who may be close to signing a long-term deal with the Cardinals, launched a Schilling fastball into the seats in left-center field with two outs in the fourth inning to give St. Louis a 3-0 lead. It was the 30th homer of the season (13th as a Cardinal) for the former Phillie, marking the second time in his career that he has reached that plateau. Rolen's 108 RBIs are also the second-best total of his career. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 110 runs in 1998.
Drew went deep for the second time in as many games after going hitless in his last six contests. He had struck out in his previous three at-bats before his shot in the eighth put the game away.
Stephenson, like Rolen a former teammate of Schilling's in Philadelphia, was making his first start since Sept. 2. He was bumped from the rotation after that to make room for Jason Simontacchi. Stephenson, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2001, has battled back and hamstring injuries this year that have limited him to just 45 innings on the season. He was shaky, walking five, but allowed just one hit in earning his second victory of 2002.
Neither team managed a hit through the first three innings. Schilling was absolutely dominant in the early going, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced. Stephenson was often in trouble, putting a pair of runners on in both the second and third, but emerged unscathed each time.
Fernando Viña broke through against Schilling with a single up the middle to lead off the fourth, and Eli Marrero followed with a single to right. Drew struck out and Albert Pujols flied out to right, bringing up Rolen. On the first pitch, Schilling fed him a fastball belt-high and over the plate. Rolen jumped on it, depositing it in the stands to open the scoring.
St. Louis didn't manage another hit until Mike DiFelice singled to lead off the eighth. Viña doubled to put runners on second and third, and Marrero reached on a fielder's choice at home. With runners on the corners, Drew followed with his 17th homer of the season.
Arizona, whose lone run came on a Matt Williams homer to left in the sixth, threatened in the ninth. Jay Bell doubled and Tony Womack reached on a Rolen error, both with two outs. But Dave Veres came in for Steve Kline and retired Junior Spivey to close out the sweep.
Matthew Leach is a reporter 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.
Rolen, Drew each hit three-run homers off Schilling
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stl/news/stl_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20020925&content_id=137283&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp
ST. LOUIS -- Garrett Stephenson escaped scoreless through five adventurous innings, and Scott Rolen and J.D. Drew hit three-run homers, as the Cardinals beat Curt Schilling and the Diamondbacks 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon.
The win closed out a three-game sweep for St. Louis, and pulled the Cardinals into a tie with Arizona for the second-best record in the National League. The Cardinals have won eight of their last nine games and 18 of 21. They won the season series with the Diamondbacks, meaning that if the teams finish tied, St. Louis will have home-field advantage in the NL Division Series starting Tuesday.
Rolen, who may be close to signing a long-term deal with the Cardinals, launched a Schilling fastball into the seats in left-center field with two outs in the fourth inning to give St. Louis a 3-0 lead. It was the 30th homer of the season (13th as a Cardinal) for the former Phillie, marking the second time in his career that he has reached that plateau. Rolen's 108 RBIs are also the second-best total of his career. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 110 runs in 1998.
Drew went deep for the second time in as many games after going hitless in his last six contests. He had struck out in his previous three at-bats before his shot in the eighth put the game away.
Stephenson, like Rolen a former teammate of Schilling's in Philadelphia, was making his first start since Sept. 2. He was bumped from the rotation after that to make room for Jason Simontacchi. Stephenson, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2001, has battled back and hamstring injuries this year that have limited him to just 45 innings on the season. He was shaky, walking five, but allowed just one hit in earning his second victory of 2002.
Neither team managed a hit through the first three innings. Schilling was absolutely dominant in the early going, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced. Stephenson was often in trouble, putting a pair of runners on in both the second and third, but emerged unscathed each time.
Fernando Viña broke through against Schilling with a single up the middle to lead off the fourth, and Eli Marrero followed with a single to right. Drew struck out and Albert Pujols flied out to right, bringing up Rolen. On the first pitch, Schilling fed him a fastball belt-high and over the plate. Rolen jumped on it, depositing it in the stands to open the scoring.
St. Louis didn't manage another hit until Mike DiFelice singled to lead off the eighth. Viña doubled to put runners on second and third, and Marrero reached on a fielder's choice at home. With runners on the corners, Drew followed with his 17th homer of the season.
Arizona, whose lone run came on a Matt Williams homer to left in the sixth, threatened in the ninth. Jay Bell doubled and Tony Womack reached on a Rolen error, both with two outs. But Dave Veres came in for Steve Kline and retired Junior Spivey to close out the sweep.
Matthew Leach is a reporter 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.