The underdogs keep on rolling. The St. Louis Cardinals took the opener of the 2011 World Series Wednesday night, defeating the Texas Rangers by a score of 3-2.
It was a pitcher's duel until the Cardinals struck in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run single by Lance Berkman. The Rangers tied the game up the very next inning on a two-run homerun by Mike Napoli. Then, in the bottom of the sixth, pinch-hitter Allen Craig stepped to the plate with a runner in scoring position and two outs. Craig took Rangers starting pitcher C.J. Wilson's pitch to the opposite field and drove in David Freese. That clutch hit would end up being the difference in the game, with neither team putting a run on the board after that.
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter got the win and closer Jason Motte earned the save. Both pitchers have been staples of the Cardinals team so far in the postseason. Carpenter is now 3-0 in the postseason, and Motte has five saves and only given up one hit in eight appearences.
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The series continues Thursday night in St. Louis at 7:05 CDT. Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia will face off against Colby Lewis of the Rangers.
