Rangers Steal Game Two Of World Series, From Cards

Game two of the 2011 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, would be a crucial game in the series. St. Louis came into the game with a 1-0 lead on Texas, with a 3-2 win on Wednesday night. St. Louis was looking to take a 2-0 lead on Texas, while Texas was trying to salvage a game to tie the series. A win in game two for Texas would be big, coming home for games three, four and five.

Texas' Colby Lewis, who is 4-1 in postseason play was called on to be the series savior. Lewis was matched up against St. Louis' Jaime Garcia. Going into game two of the series, you knew that it would be another battle between the two teams. Well, neither team disappointed baseball fans.

The Cardinals and Rangers starting pitching has had problems through out postseason, going deep into games. Wednesday night St. Louis' pitcher Chris Carpenter pitched six solid innings giving up two runs, while Texas' pitcher C. J. Wilson went five and two-third innings giving up three runs. Allen Craig drove in the lead run, when he singled to right fielder Nellie Cruz. David Freese scored on the single, which turned out to be the winning run 3-2.

In game two of the World Series, was no different. St. Louis' Jaime Garcia pitched a solid seven innings, while Texas' Colby Lewis pitched a solid six and two-third innings. When Lewis left the game, St. Louis' Nick Punto was on first base and David Freese was on third base. Alexi Ogando came into the game in the same situation as Wednesday night, with Allen Craig at the plate. Allen Craig delivered another pinch hit single to right fielder Nellie Cruz to score David Freese to take a 1-0 lead.

"Alexi Ogando threw the same exact pitch to Allen Craig as he did on Wednesday night, a slider outside the strike zone."

Earlier in the game Texas' offense continued to struggle, by not delivering the clutch hit to take the lead in the fourth inning. Ian Kinsler walked, then Andrus flied out to right fielder Lance Berkman and Josh Hamilton flied out to left fielder Matt Holliday. Adrian Beltre came to the plate with two outs, he strikes out swinging.

As you would have expected the game came down to the bullpen and the managers managing the game. St. Louis' Tony La Russa was one game up on Texas' manager Ron Washington. The game came down to the ninth inning, with St. Louis ahead of Texas 1-0. St. Louis' manager Tony La Russa brought in Jason Motte to try to close out Texas to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Texas' Ian Kinsler hits a soft single over St. Louis' shortstop Rafael Furcal, then Ian Kinsler steals second base. Elvis Andrus then hits a line drive single to center fielder Jon Jay, Ian Kinsler to third base. Elvis Andrus advances to second base on the over throw to Albert Pujols. St. Louis' manager Tony La Russa takes Jason Motte out for Arthur Rhodes to face Josh Hamilton. Texas' Josh Hamilton hits a sacrifice fly to right fielder Skip Schumaker off of Arthur Rhodes, to score Ian Kinsler to tie the game 1-1. The sacrifice fly to right fielder Skip Schumaker was hit so deep, Elvis Andrus moved to third base. Tony La Russa goes to the mound to take Arthur Rhodes out of the game for Lance Lynn to face Michael Young. Texas' Michael Young has also been struggling like Josh Hamilton through out the postseason at the plate, but he delivered a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jon Jay, to score the winning run 2-1.

"Josh Hamilton was asked, if he was surprised that Tony La Russa took out Jason Motte for Arthur Rhodes. Josh Hamilton said, "yes he was surprised by the move. He said, Jason Motte can throw a one-hundred mile an hour fast ball, compared to Arthur Rhodes eighty-nine mile an hour fast ball.

Josh Hamilton also said, "he's not in the position to make those types of calls. He was glad that Tony La Russa did make the change though."

Well, if the World Series comes down to which manager manages the game better, then Ron Washington and Tony La Russa are tied up one to one.

Oh, so is the World Series.

Texas' Ian Kinsler was asked, did the win tonight save the series? Ian said, no i don't think the win tonight saved the series, but with the win we feel better about ourselves going back home to perform in front of our fans.

If Texas did not steal this win from the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas would have been in a deep hole. They had to win against the Cardinals tonight, so they would not have been in the same scenario as last year.

Down 2-0 to the Giants.

The win by Texas tonight, definitely is a momentum changer.

However, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young need to be more productive at the plate in the next three games at home.

I'm just wondering, if  Ron Washington might need to move Nellie "BOOMSTICK" Cruz back in the seventh spot in the order, to get him back in the "swing" of things again. Texas' offense has been more stagnant since manager Ron Washington moved Nellie Cruz up to sixth in the lineup.

Will this continue to be the unexpected pitchers duel? or Will both the Cardinals and Rangers make this an offensive game in Texas?

       WHAT A TIGHT WORLD SERIES WE'VE SEEN THUS FAR

       TEXAS BRINGING "WORLD SERIES" BACK HOME TIED!