Cardinals Vs. Rangers: St. Louis Takes 2011 World Series Game 1 By A Score Of 3-2

The St. Louis Cardinals got a real start from Chris Carpenter, the usual sterling work from their bullpen, and just enough scoring out of C.J. Wilson's inconsistent outing to get past the Texas Rangers by a score of 3-2 in Game 1 of the 2011 World Series. Matt Holliday and David Freese doubled and Lance Berkman drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who turned 11 baserunners into just three runs in Wilson's five-and-change innings. Mike Napoli homered for the Rangers, who were shut down by Marc Rzepczynski, Octavio Dotel, and Arthur Rhodes when they threatened in the late innings.

For the Cardinals it was their first quality start since Game 5 of the NLDS, when Carpenter put together a complete game shutout against Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies. Wednesday's outing was decidedly less dramatic, but Carpenter shrugged off his elbow worries to throw six innings and allow just two runs on four strikeouts and a walk. It was Carpenter's eighth career postseason win, and his second in as many opportunities in the World Series.

The Rangers and Cardinals will return to Busch Stadium Thursday night for Game 2 of the series, in which Colby Lewis and Jaime Garcia will tangle.