Hamstring restricts Pujols

ST. LOUIS -- An unexpected day off because of last night's rainout isn't likely to make a difference for Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, whose right hamstring has been bothering him throughout the postseason, manager Tony La Russa acknowledged yesterday.

``You probably noticed, he's laboring when he runs," La Russa said. ``His right hamstring is a real problem; it's his pushoff, drive leg. He can hit some home runs if he catches it right, but he's not going to be generating as much power."

La Russa said what worries him is if Pujols overextends himself trying to beat out an infield hit in a critical situation. If a situation arises where Pujols is on base and represents the potential winning run, La Russa said he's likely to pinch run for him.

Pujols is 9 for 29 this postseason (.310), with one homer (in the Division Series) in eight games.

The rainout will allow both starting pitchers, Tom Glavine of the Mets and Jeff Weaver of St. Louis, to go on regular rest, rather than three days.

Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's vice president/on-field operations, said the forecast had called for heavy rain until 8, then a steady drizzle until well after midnight. ``No need to try to start the game," he said, ``especially when tomorrow they're calling for 70 degrees or whatever, a good day."

New York's dos Carlos, Beltran and Delgado, were required to wait another day before recommencing their assault on the record books.

Carlos Beltran, who hit two bases-empty home runs in Game 4 and has three in the series, has a postseason HR-per-at-bat ratio of 1-6.36 (11 in 70 at-bats), the best in big-league history. The King, Jim Leyritz, is second at 1-7.6 (8 in 61 at-bats).

Delgado, meanwhile, set a club record with five RBIs in Game 4, and now has 9 in the series, another club record. So far, he has six extra-base hits in the series, yet another club record.

Both managers were asked to comment on the firing of Ken Macha in Oakland. ``I've known Kenny a long time, an excellent baseball man," New York's Willie Randolph said. ``A little surprised. But being in New York as long as I've been there, nothing really surprises me." La Russa said, ``He had a hell of a year. They didn't have the easiest year, from what I could see. I watched their club very closely. [Eric ] Chavez and the shortstop [Bobby Crosby] didn't play a full season." When someone mentioned that Macha joins Grady Little as managers of recent vintage who advanced to the postseason and still were fired, La Russa said: ``Shoot, I don't know if I should try to win or lose here."