La Russa blames himself for Kinsler steal

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Forty-eight hours later, Tony La Russa blamed himself for Ian Kinsler's momentum-changing steal of second base in the ninth inning of World Series Game 2.

Just as the Red Sox's Dave Roberts earned a measure of immortality by using his legs to spark the greatest comeback in baseball postseason history in 2004, Kinsler helped turn a desperate situation into a winning one for the Rangers.

Before Saturday night's Game 3, however, La Russa pledged that such a play will not happen again on his watch. With the strong-armed Yadier Molina already enforcing a no-run zone from behind the plate, La Russa believes he can be more vigilant moving forward.

"I didn't defend the running game better because in the end, I was more concerned about Jason [Motte] throwing strikes and getting the out that [Elvis] Andrus was trying to give us [with a sacrifice bunt],'' he said. "And I didn't feel like Kinsler would try it. So that was my screw-up. It comes to the bench."

As La Russa explained it, he could have called for another throw over from Motte, and Molina has the option of signaling for a pitchout. Despite getting the slimmest of jumps, Kinsler beat the throw, if only barely. Molina delivered the ball into Rafael Furcal's glove in the perfect spot, but Kinsler found the edge he needed from watching Motte's delivery.

"The starters we know from scouting reports, and relievers are tougher to figure out," Kinsler said. "But closers aren't typically that fast to the plate."

That's what set the chain of events in motion, and with Andrus initially trying to get a bunt down, La Russa was thinking more about the out than about Kinsler taking a high-risk gamble.

"His time was a tick slow," La Russa said of Motte. "He's got a faster one, but he was really concentrating. But say it comes up again [in Game 3], it'll be harder to steal the base. He has a quicker time and he also has a couple of different moves to first base that will cut down the lead.

"In retrospect, I made a decision not to mess around with the runner because I wanted his concentration. So it wasn't like I walked around town for three hours kicking myself. But the way it was played, I know Kinsler has got the guts and the green light to try it. So I should have thrown it over again and I don't think he would have stolen successfully."

Despite their thumping reputation, the Rangers aren't content to play station-to-station. Texas had 143 stolen bases during the regular season, which was fifth in the majors. The Cardinals ranked 29th overall with 57. Only the Tigers (49) had fewer.

Merely the threat can help in a big way. If Kinsler or Andrus is able to get on base, that's enough to get into an opposing pitcher's head, and the distraction can provide immediate benefits. That becomes particularly important for the vulnerable Josh Hamilton, who is nursing a strained left groin in the No. 3 spot. If anyone needs a hanging slider these days, it's Hamilton.

"It's huge for us," Kinsler said. "If you show that you're capable of stealing bases, that changes the game. If they're thinking of you, they might make a mistake to the guy at the plate. That puts a lot of pressure on the other team."

That part doesn't bother the Cardinals, even if La Russa remains haunted by the ninth inning of Game 2. When a reporter pointed out to the St. Louis manager that Kinsler needed a "spectacular slide" to be safe, it was of no consolation.

"But it was a spectacular throw that made it close," La Russa said. "Defending it better was my decision. I didn't defend it and that's my fault."