If the Cardinals had a problem with Adrian Gonzalez flashing Mickey Mouse ears after homering in Game 5, they're not letting on.
''As far as getting under our guys' skin, our guys want to compete,''
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Thursday, an off-day in their
series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. ''We're not out there to make friends.''We're not out there to do anything except win,'' he said.
The Cardinals lead the Dodgers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Friday in St. Louis.
Dodgers leadoff man Carl Crawford thought it was a gesture the Cardinals wouldn't forget.
''I'm pretty sure it rubbed them the wrong way and they're going to use that as some kind of fuel,'' Crawford said. ''So, you might as well keep doing it, Adrian.''
And what does Gonzalez think? He was just having a little fun.
''It's just something that doesn't need to be talked about,'' Gonzalez said. ''I don't need it to get out of hand here, because it shouldn't be.''
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READY TO SERVE: Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander threw in the bullpen a few hours before Game 5 of the AL championship series, saying he's preparing as if it will be necessary for him to pitch in a deciding Game 7 on Sunday in Boston.
Verlander told a reporter not to read anything into the session that took place beyond the left field wall at chilly Comerica Park.
''It was just a normal bullpen,'' Verlander insisted Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Verlander was informed he will be honored on Nov. 6 in Washington at the United States Navy Memorial as a recipient of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award for possessing the values, integrity and dedication to serving the country as Feller did.
Verlander welcomes guests from
Veterans Affairs medical centers in Michigan to watch home games from
his Comerica Park suite. He also has committed to donating $1 million to
start Wins for Warriors, an organization that attempts to help the
mental health of veterans in Detroit, Richmond and Norfolk, Va.
