Down And Out In St. Louis

Looking back, what didn't tonight's game have? Well, outside of a hit from Russell Martin.

There was a dominating pitching performance from Clayton Kershaw, game saving defensive plays from Manny Ramirez, blown saves from Jonathan Broxton and Ramon Troncoso, multiple outs at home plate, an appeal play at first base, a tense playoff atmosphere, a walk-off hit by the opposition, and more ups and down than Paris Hilton doing the...well, I think you know where I'm going with that one.

"This was just a tough game," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "But it was a remarkable game on both sides."

Both teams had several chances in extra innings in a game that lasted 4 hours, 53 minutes and included 453 pitches.

"By my count, there were about three different games," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Heroics all over the ballpark on both sides."

From the broadcast booth Eric Collins and Steve Lyons were quick to proclaim this an instant classic. It certainly was. A classic Dodger letdown.

Photo Courtesy AP/Jeff Roberson