Cardinals strike first
October 20, 2011 16:56:19 UK
Chris Carpenter (1-0) struck out four over six strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals took Game One of the World Series.
The veteran right hander surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk to pick up the victory in a 3-2 St. Louis triumph over the Texas Rangers.
During the regular season Allen Craig hit .315, went deep 11 times and drove in 40 as an effective, but little noticed, fourth outfielder allowing the Cardinals to trade Colby Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays for Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski.
That deal solidified the Cardinals bullpen. On Wednesday it was all about Craig as the 27-year old had a pinch-hit single to drive in third baseman David Freese with the eventual winning run.
St. Louis struck first in the bottom of the fourth, Lance Berkman driving in Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday with a single to right, before catcher Mike Napoli tied up the ball game with a two run shot the following innings.
Craig would then come through in the sixth and the Cardinals bullpen shut down the Rangers the rest of the way. Jason Motte secured the win with an uneventful ninth inning to record the save.
St. Louis Cardinals are 3.25 to win the World Series, while Texas Rangers are 1.36.
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