It's starting to look pretty grim for the St. Louis Cardinals, and all because of a Texas Rangers starter who's become a lights-out relief pitcher.
Nope, not Alexi Ogando. He's yesterday's news.
Derek Holland. He pitched so brilliantly in Game 4, and -- thanks to the extra day off, which by the way was supposed to help the Cardinals more than the Rangers -- now Holland has come out of the bullpen to record four big outs.
After Ogando loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, Holland came in and retired Jon Jay on a weak grounder to end the inning, with Holland himself doing the honors.
In the bottom of the seventh -- just moments after the Rangers put three runs on the board -- Holland took the mound again and retired the Cardinals in order, starting with Rafael Furcal and ending with Albert Pujols (with Skip Schumaker the creamy filling in the middle).
You never know what Ron Washington will do, but Holland has certainly done his job. The Rangers don't blow three-run leads, not with Mike Adams set up for the eighth and Neftali Feliz in the ninth.
It's Rangers 7, Cardinals 4 after seven innings, and we're now into Miracle Territory if you're Cardinals fan.