Williams' outing part of history but not enough for 'W'

HOUSTON -- Woody Williams did everything the St. Louis Cardinals could've wanted from a starter facing the Houston Astros.

He allowed just one hit in seven innings Monday night, going three-up, three-down in three of them. None of the four baserunners he allowed got past second base.

He had the longest start for the Cardinals in the NL Championship Series. And he did it all with a nagging calf injury suffered in the first inning.

The best outing of his life? Maybe. But considering St. Louis ended up losing 3-0 Monday night in Game 5, putting the Cardinals down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, Williams was in no mood to savor what he'd done.

"I haven't had time to think about it," he said. "I just know I put up seven zeros, but I got outmatched."

Houston starter Brandon Backe was better, pitching perfectly through 13 batters and not allowing a hit through 5 2/3 innings.

"This is tough to swallow," Williams said.

Williams did earn a piece of baseball lore. The four hits in Monday's game set a record for the fewest in a postseason game.