The Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals was the only division series that was tied 1-1 after the first two games at Dodger Stadium. Today, now in St. Louis’ Busch Stadium, the Cardinals took advantage of their home field and won with a score of 3-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter has quickly become the most valuable player of his team, in the bottom of the 3rd inning he took Hyun-jin Ryu deep to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Carpenter has now hit 3 home runs in this series, all against left handed pitchers (Clayton Kershaw, J.P. Howell, Hyun-jin Ryu).
The Dodgers responded in the top of the 6th inning when Yasiel Puig led off the inning with a triple to right field, then Cardinals pitcher John Lackey managed to get two outs and it appeared that he would get out of the inning without harm, but Hanley Ramirez had other plans as he ripped a double and tied the game 1-1.
But the tie did not last too long, as rookie second baseman Kolten Wong hit the deciding two run home run off of pitcher Scott Elbert in the bottom of the 7th inning. Wong, who had 12 home runs in the regular season, chose a good time to hit his first postseason home run.
The Dodgers managed to get the tying runs on base in the top of the 9th inning against closer Trevor Rosenthal, but catcher A.J. Ellis hit a game ending fly ball to right field.
It was Ryu’s first start since September 12th due to an injury, but his line was very good for the game and moment in which he had to pitch. Ryu went 6 innings gave up 5 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, while striking out 4 earning a no decision. His counterpart, John Lackey who pitched with 11 days rest, had a line of 7 innings pitched, 5 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 8 strikeouts while getting the win.
The Dodgers will have their backs against the wall tomorrow trying to avoid elimination as they will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound on short days rest, meanwhile the Cardinals will send right hander Shelby Miller. The game is set to start at 5PM ET.
Photo Credit: MLB
