Rangers Win In The Clutch To Even Series

For the second straight game in this World Series, this game was very low-scoring, and very close. With one out in the 7th inning, David Freese singled, and after a Yadier Molina flyout, Nick Punto did the same. For the second straight night, it was Allen Craig coming in to pinch-hit for the pitcher in a tied, clutch situation. Once again, he delivered, knocking a soft line drive into right field- eerily similar to his hit the night before. However, on a two singles and an error in the 9th, the Rangers were able to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Josh Hamilton came up and hit a sacrifice fly to dead right field to score a run and tie the game at 1-1. Michael Young came up next, and chipped a fly ball to right-center to score the winning run and give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Neftali Feliz closed it out and the Rangers won to tie the series at 1 game apiece.

      Both starting pitchers were very, very good, but especially Jaime Garcia (right). Garcia went 7 innings, allowing no runs, 3 hits, and striking out 7 in a great effort. Colby Lewis was almost as good, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings. The Rangers bullpen was once again perfect, and the Cardinals' would have been if not for Jason Motte's collapse in the 9th inning. There were virtually no offensive highlights for either team, as there were 11 hits spread around the board, a respectable number of hits for one team in a game. However, Allen Craig once again came through in the clutch for the Cardinals with another pinch-hit, opposite field single to give the Cardinals a lead at the time. For the Rangers, after some key hits by Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus, it was Josh Hamilton and Michael Young (left). After an off day today, the World Series will continue with Matt Harrison going for the Rangers, and somebody to be named going for the Cardinals.