Jeff Suppan was brilliant again, and Yadier Molina hit a 2-run go-ahead homer in the 9th inning as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, 3-1, to advance to the World Series. Suppan allowed just one run on 2 hits over 7 innings. New York's Oliver Perez pitched a fantastic game as well, pitching 6 innings while giving up just one run on 4 hits. He was helped by a spectacular catch from Endy Chavez who went over the wall to rob Scott Rolen of a home run. But with the rain falling rather heavily, Molina deposited a shot into the Cardinals bullpen to propel St. Louis to victory. New York would threaten in the 9th to no avail. The Cardinals will travel to Detroit to face the Tigers in game one of the World Series on Saturday.
Game Notes and Quotes
Q. Looking back on the season now, you have this incredible regular season, but the last month, you lost some important guys who you probably would have counted on at this time of year. Can you describe if you feel that that was very unfortunate or how salvageable it is --
WILLIE RANDOLPH: No, you go with what you have. This team was successful this year because of the fact that we didn't really waste sleep over who was here or who we didn't have. We had a chance to go to the World Series and the guys stepped up and did a great job for us. Omar was challenged to go out and get guys to do the job and they did. You can't look back and be concerned or cry over things you can't control. We were good this year and a good ballclub. We are not going to look back now and make excuses or think about what we could have had. We had some gamers out there, guys that gave their heart and soul to the team and this organization. So we would have loved to have had a so-called full squad, but all teams go through injuries. We don't make excuses for that. We just go out and play and that makes it even sweeter that we were able to accomplish what we did with some of our key guys not feeling good. Like I said, nobody is going to feel sorry for you and we don't make excuses over here.
Q. So much talk about the Mets this season, what does it say about your team that you beat them, and what does it mean to you guys to go on to the World Series now?
TONY LA RUSSA: Well, first of all, the Mets, 97 wins, they have an outstanding, balanced club. We just felt, you know, getting there towards the end of the season, you know, we thought we were going to get in and then it got a little shaky. But we kept telling yourselves, if we get to October, we'll be a dangerous club to play. No matter who we play against, the Padres were good, they were leading in ERA and you have the Mets with all their weapons. But we felt we would be dangerous to play and we were just going to play. All of a sudden, best-of-seven, the club that wins 83 can beat a club that wins 97. Tough club to compete but very exciting.
Q. You talked a lot about how the same approach, same game, all the same, how can any of this ever be the same again for you with two of these in your packet and now an MVP to take home?
JEFF SUPPAN: Well, I never thought I'd be in situations like this. But since I've come here to this organization, St. Louis Cardinals, it's just a tremendous organization. You know, basically, when you go out in any game like this, alls you can do is the best you can. I think with approach, you're able to, you know, really go out there and just go pitch by pitch and that was really what I did. You know, Yadi did a tremendous job. He did a tremendous job keeping me in check. I thought, you know, after that, just trying to keep rolling, keep rolling, going out there, forgetting what happened in the past and focusing on what I had to focus on.