Dodger fans can rejoice over winning their first postseason game since clinching the 1988 World Series championship in 1988--they had lost eight in a row. Jose Lima was a robustious revelation shutting out the powerful Cardinals lineup for a full nine innings. Shawn Green looked like the player of old with two home runs, going 3-for-4 overall.

However, this game had all the markings of a one-game aberration in an eventual Cardinal win. First, Tony LaRussa stuck with Matt Morris for seven innings although he looked quite overmatched much of the game. As long as the game was eithin reached, he was going to allow his innings hog and one-time ace to throw.

Meanwhile, Jim Tracy mawkishly left Lima in for the ninth with a four-run lead with closer Eric Gagne on the bench. Lima ended up throwing 109 pitches. He had 99 after eight and could possibly have been used as at least a threat later in the series. Gagne has pitched just one inning in the postseason, and was a very good bet to hold the lead.

When the Cards eventually win this series, the Dodger fans will have their one moment in the sun, but Tracy could have used his as a step towards a great comeback. Now, it's just an aberration.