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Cards have chances but can’t cash in vs. Giants
- Updated: September 16, 2016
SAN FRANCISCO — Two of the Cardinals’ last four seasons have ended here in San Francisco, a place where they’ve limped to a 1-6 record under the postseason spotlight. The stakes weren’t quite as finite Thursday, but once again, the Cardinals’ momentum stalled under the AT&T Park lights.
Outplayed by the Giants, whose starter stepped up in a critical spot and whose offense came through with a succession of timely hits, the Cardinals fell, 6-2, in the first installment of a four-game series that could significantly impact their October plans.
As the Cardinals readied for what set up to be their biggest series to date, manager Mike Matheny acknowledged the struggles his club has had matching up with the Giants in recent years. As he described it: “They’ve played a clean game, and we’ve opened the door.”
That would be how Thursday played out as well, as the Cardinals squandered an opportunity to create a three-way tie atop the National League Wild Card standings. Consequently, they now trail the Giants by two games. The Mets sit one game ahead of St. Louis.
“I’m trying to downplay the game, but we do have time …
