I just tried to locate the ball and move the ball around. After that rally fizzled, the Mets went quietly against Benes over the next four innings, putting only one man on base. In fact, New York second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo said he thought his teammates cashed in their chips at that point. Today, something changed. We should have been more aggressive.
Tomorrow is another day.
With his team ahead, 5-0, in the top of the fourth, La Russa went for the kill. Hobbled slugger Mark McGwire, available for only one at-bat per game, was sent to hit for Ray Lankford with the bases loaded and two out. McGwire flied out to left against left-handed reliever Glendon Rusch, giving the Mets a temporary reprieve. But the Cardinals came back with three runs in the fifth against Rick White to break open the game. There's two outs, so you don't have to worry about a double play.