World Series Update

Four games into the World Series the St Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are tied at two games apiece. Here is a recap of all four games:

Game 1: In St. Louis
St Louis Cardinals 3

Texas Rangers 2 

The aces were on the mound in game one as Chris Carpenter from the Cardinals faced off against CJ Wilson from the Rangers. The first three innings went by quickly as both pitchers found a grove early. Wilson ran into trouble in the 4th when he gave up a two run RBI single to Lance Berkman. Mike Napoli and the Rangers were quick to respond as in the next inning,  Napoli hit a two run moonshot (415 ft) to tie the game up at three. In the 6th, the Cardinals had two men on and pinch hitter Allen Craig stepped to the plate. He was able to slap a ball into the outfield scoring the runner from second giving the Cardinals the lead, 3-2. The Cardinals bullpen was dominant for the rest of the game shutting down the big bats of Texas in the final 3 innings.

Game 2: In St. Louis

St. Louis Cardinals 1

Texas Rangers 2

Both starting pitchers went deep into the game and hitting was very limited. The score was 1-0 in favor of the Cardinals heading into the ninth inning. Jason Motte, the Cardinals closer, had been perfect so far in the playoffs. He was far from that in game 2 as he gave up back to back hits before being removed. Through sac flies, those two runs pushed Texas into the lead 2-1. The Cardinals could not score in their half of the inning so the series went to Texas tied at one game apiece.

Game 3: In Texas

Texas Rangers 7

St. Louis Cardinals 16

This game was completely opposite than the two played in St. Louis. The Cardinals jumped off to a quick 1-0 in the first after Allen Craig hit one just over the fence. There wasn't another run until the 4th but that is when the runs started to pile on. A run came across in each of the last six innings and most of those runs were for the Cardinals. After the Cardinals scored four runs in the top of the fourth, the Rangers responded with home runs from Michael Young and Nelson Cruz. With the score 5-3 Cardinals after four, it appeared to be anyone's game. Albert Pujols put an end to that as he hit three home runs in his final three plate appearances. He is the first man to hit three home runs in one World Series game since Reggie Jackson did it for the Yankees.

Game 4: In Texas

Texas Rangers 4

St. Louis Cardinals 0

This game was all about Derek Holland, the Rangers starting pitcher. He mowed down the Cardinals lineup one by one. In 8 1/3 innings he allowed only two hits and those were both to Lance Berkman. He left in the 9th to a standing ovation of 45,000 fans and he must have felt on top of the world. On the offensive side, Mike Napoli hit his 2nd home run of the series belting a three run shot in the 6th that sealed the deal for the Rangers.

The next game is tomorrow in Texas as Chris Carpenter and CJ Wilson square off for the second time in the series. This game is crucial because it will determine who only needs one more win as the series will head back to St. Louis for game six and game seven if necessary.

Holland used his power fastball Sunday night to keep Cardinals hitters off balance.