The 2011 World Series is headed back to St. Louis with the Cardinals on the brink of elimination after a pivotal 4-2 Game 5 loss to the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers struck the decisive blow in the eighth inning when rising postseason star Mike Napoli blasted a two-run double to center field off Marc Rzepczynski. The line drive scored Nelson Cruz and Michael Young. That's all the scoring Texas would need.
Neftali Feliz came in to close out the victory for Texas in the top of the ninth and got the job done. After hitting Allen Craig with a pitch to start the inning, Feliz stuck out Albert Pujols and then Napoli threw out Craig as he was attempting to steal second. Feliz would walk Matt Holliday, but got Lance Berkman to strike out swinging. Napoli went deep into foul territory to record the final put-out, a fitting end to a typically exhilarating World Series game. It was Feliz's sixth save of the postseason.
The Cardinals left 12 men on base in Game 5. Game 6 is Wednesday at Busch Stadium.
For more on the 2011 World Series, Rangers fans should check out Lone Star Ball and Cardinals fans should join the conversation at Viva El Birdos.