ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Holland kept Albert Pujols in the ballpark and the Texas Rangers in this World Series.
In a title matchup that’s getting more interesting with every game, Holland put the emphasis back on pitching. Given a pep talk by Manager Ron Washington minutes before the game, Holland allowed two hits over 8 1/3 innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 on Sunday night and even things at 2-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Holland struck out 7, walked 2 and never was in trouble against a team that scored 16 runs the previous night. He came within two outs of pitching the first completegame shutout in the World Series since Florida’s Josh Beckett clinched the 2003 title over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
“I was very focused. I knew this was a big game for us,” Holland said. “I had to step up and make sure I was prepared.”
Hobbled Josh Hamilton put Texas ahead with an RBI double in the first inning. Then Mike Napoli broke it open with a three-run home run in the sixth that set off a hearty high-five in the front row between team President Nolan Ryan and former President George W. Bush.
And just like that, the Series is tied at 2-2 for the first time since 2003. The season comes down to a best-of-3 series, with the outcome to be decided back at Busch Stadium.
Game 5 is at 7 tonight at Rangers Ballpark. It’s a rematch of starting pitchers from the opener, when Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter topped C.J. Wilson.
A day after Pujols tied Series records with 3 home runs, 6 RBI and 5 hits during the Cardinals’ victory, Holland emerged as the unlikely star.
Holland got a big cheer when he took the mound in the ninth and was still throwing 96 mph. With the crowd chanting his name, he walked Rafael Furcal and was pulled by Washington after a long talk on the mound.
“I was begging to stay out there,” he said. “I said, ‘I’ll give it everything I’ve got. I can get the double play.’
“When I came off the field my arm hair was sticking up — not like I have much.”
Holland tipped his cap and waved to the fans as he walked off. His outing was the longest scoreless appearance by an AL starter in the Series since Andy Pettitte also went 81/3 at Atlanta in 1996.
Neftali Feliz took over and closed. He walked Allen Craig, then retired Pujols on a fly ball and struck out Matt Holliday to end it.
Pujols finished 0 for 4 a night after after his big night, hitting the ball out of the infield only once.
“I wanted him to see my ‘A’ game,” Holland said.
Said Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa: “Well, I would just say he worked us over. Give him credit. Good pitching is always going to stop good hitting.”
The Rangers avoided consecutive losses for the first time since Aug. 23-25, a streak that’s kept them out of trouble in the postseason.
Holland, a 25-year-old lefty, got a pep talk from Washington near the dugout shortly before taking the mound.
Washington put both hands on Holland’s shoulders as Washington spoke. Holland kept nodding, and Washington finished up with a playful pat to Holland’s cheek.
“He shows that he cares about all his players, and he definitely showed that when he talked to me,” Holland said.
Berkman’s double in the second and single in the fifth were the only hits Holland allowed. Holland got even later, getting Berkman to look at a strike three that left the St. Louis star discussing the call with plate umpire Ron Kulpa.
Cardinals starter Edwin Jackson kept his team close despite seven walks, and eventually they caught up with him.
It was 1-0 when La Russa yanked Jackson after two one-out walks in the sixth and signaled for reliever Mitchell Boggs. Napoli was up, and the sellout crowd chanted his name as he stepped into the batter’s box.
Boggs stayed in the stretch for an extra beat while Furcal ducked behind Nelson Cruz from shortstop. When Boggs finally threw a 95 mph fastball with his first pitch, Napoli whacked it.
Napoli stood at the plate for a moment as the ball sailed deep, just inside the left field line
Hamilton forced the Cardinals to play catchup for the first time in a while. St. Louis had scored first in 10 consecutive postseason games, one shy of the record set by Detroit during a span from 1972-1984.
Elvis Andrus singled with one out in the Texas first and sped home when Hamilton doubled into the right field corner. The reigning AL MVP has been slowed by a strained groin, part of the reason he hasn’t hit a home run in 57 at-bats this postseason.
Sports, Pages 15 on 10/24/2011