Poised as can be no matter how tough the task, Brad Lidge pulled off another great escape against St. Louis. Now it’s the steaming-mad Cardinals who are in a serious jam in the NL championship series.
Defensive replacement Eric Bruntlett started a game-ending double play, Lidge wriggled out of a major mess in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros scratched out a 2-1 victory Sunday in Game 4 to move within one win of their first trip to the World Series.
Jason Lane homered, Willy Taveras made a saving catch on the center-field hill and Houston took advantage of a critical error by pitcher Jason Marquis – plus the ejections of St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and star Jim Edmonds – to build a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Astros can close it out at home Monday night, with Andy Pettitte on the mound against Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter.
Deep breaths…
(And Chron.com has the correct score this time.)
