The only player in “Beast Mode” for either team was Albert Pujols. He set the tone early with a two run homer in the first inning off Brewers starter Shaun Marcum as the Cardinals pounded out 17 hits in a 12-3 win as the NLCS is tied up a game apiece. Hear Tony La Russa’s post game thought (5:00)
Much as Milwaukee’s #3 hitter Ryan Braun was the hero of game one, this time it was the Cardinals #3 hitter who came up big. Pujols finished the night 4 for 5 with the home run as I mentioned and three doubles, plus a career high five RBIs in the post season.
“Yesterday was just so tough. Going to bed, I was just thinking about some of the opportunities I had to help our ballclub win. I turned that page, knowing today was a new day,” Pujols said referring to his double play ball that killed a rally in game one.
David Freese hit his second home run of the series and picked up two RBIs as did starting second basemen Nick Punto who drove in two on a 2 for 4 night.
Edwin Jackson didn’t get the win as Tony La Russa pulled him with one out in the fifth. Jackson had given up a two run homer earlier to Ricky Weeks, but with the score 7-2 and two men on, La Russa went to the bullpen with Prince Fielder coming up. Arthur Rhodes came in to go lefty vs. lefty and walked Fielder to load the bases with one out.
La Russa went to Lance Lynn who was added to the roster after Skip Schumaker injured himself in the Phillies’ series. Lynn got a double play ground ball from Weeks who actually beat the throw from second, but was called out. The Brewers rallied died, the Cardinals held onto their five run lead and tacked on more from there, scoring four more in the seventh.
