Cards Beat Rangers 3-2 In Game 1

Allen Craig's pinch-hit go ahead single in the sixth inning sent the Cardinals past the Rangers 3-2 last night in Game 1 of the World Series. Texas, who hasn't lost two games in a row since August 23-25 will try to even the series tonight in Game 2 (6:05 MT on Fox). Colby Lewis is scheduled to start for the Rangers, with Jaime Garcia taking the mound for the Cardinals.

On a night when all the runs were driven in with opposite-field hits to right, Lance Berkman put St. Louis ahead with a two-run single in the fourth against C.J. Wilson.

Rangers catcher Mike Napoli watched in dejection as Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday scored, but a few minutes later celebrated in the top of the fifth when he tied it 2-all with a two-run homer off Chris Carpenter.

"A tough loss," Napoli said. "But we shake things off pretty good."

Indeed, the two-time AL champions haven't lost consecutive games since Aug. 23-25 against Boston.

The high-octane Rangers had their chances. But Texas was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position after rolling up a .302 average (19 for 63) in those situations during the AL Championship Series against Detroit.

"I don't think we did the job when we needed," Cruz said. "Men in scoring position is when you need to deliver."On a night when all the runs were driven in with opposite-field hits to right, Lance Berkman put St. Louis ahead with a two-run single in the fourth against C.J. Wilson.

Rangers catcher Mike Napoli watched in dejection as Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday scored, but a few minutes later celebrated in the top of the fifth when he tied it 2-all with a two-run homer off Chris Carpenter.

"A tough loss," Napoli said. "But we shake things off pretty good."