Pitching Contributed to Offensive Struggles

Maybe the focus shouldn’t be on why hitters struggled during the National League division series between St. Louis and Arizona.

Maybe the focus should be on why pitchers dominated. Or maybe the whole thing should have been expected.

“When you take the emphasis off the No. 4 and 5 starters, it’s going to be tough to score runs,” Arizona Manager Bob Brenly said.

Or, as Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa put it: “Clubs that get [to the playoffs] usually have those pitchers who throw nasty stuff on the corners.”

The teams combined to bat .118 with runners in scoring position-6 for 35 by Arizona and 2 for 33 by St. Louis-and score only 22 runs in the series.

“I prefer to give the overwhelming credit to the pitching,” Brenly said.

Defense also played a role Sunday.

Arizona’s Craig Counsell saved a run in the first inning with his diving stop of a J.D. Drew grounder behind second base. Steve Finley robbed Mike Matheny of a hit n the second on a running catch in right-center field.

Shortstop Tony Womack jumped to snare Albert Pujols’ line drive in the fourth. Two pitches later, Counsell turned in similar gem, going airborne to rob Jim Edmonds.

But most of the credit has gone to the pitchers.

“Once a guy goes 0 for 5 or 0 for 6 [in the playoffs], it’s in the papers that he’s in a slump,” Curt Schilling said Saturday. “I don’t think anybody has swung the bat poorly. Both teams have pitched a phenomenal series.”