Arlington, TX
Mike Napoli ripped a two-run double in the eighth inning and threw out would-be base thieves in the seventh and ninth frames, lifting the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Monday in game five of the World Series.
The Rangers hold a 3-2 series edge in the best of seven affair after C.J. Wilson gritted out 5 1-3 innings in which he gave up two runs despite walking five batters and giving up four hits.
Four Rangers relievers took over from there, pitching shutout ball the rest of the way with Darren Oliver getting the win with a scoreless eighth and Neftali Perez recording his second save after allowing just a walk in the ninth.
The Cards lost despite terrific start from Chris Carpenter, who went seven innings and allowed just a pair of runs.
St. Louis 1-to-5 batters went 3-for-18 with no extra base hits and no RBI. Albert Pujols walked three times but failed to approach his impact of two games ago when he belted a record-tying three homers.
He also fanned in the ninth inning in a key-situation.
Yadier Molina had three hits and knocked in a run for the Cards, who were tied 2-2 going into the eighth as Skip Schumaker also knocked in a run on a grounder.
St. Louis did not score again after the second inning, however.
Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre blasted solo shots in the third and sixth innings, respectively, to set up Napoli's heroics.
Napoli, Rangers One Win From World Series
World Series Game 6 Preview
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