ESPN Mobile is live at the 2011 World Series. Join us for live updates as the series shifts to Texas for Game 3 on Saturday.
POSTGAME
- Albert Pujols said he felt good in Games 1 and 2 despite not recording a hit and knew he just had to keep from getting frustrated.
- Pujols credited Allen Craig for taking the crowd out of tonight's game with his first-inning homer.
- Pujols admitted he will enjoy tonight's performance for a little while but knows the Cardinals must come ready to play tomorrow night.
- Pujols on his three home runs: fastball up, fastball in and the last one, a cutter. "I was able to get some good swings."
9th Inning: Albert Pujols' line on the night five-for-six with three home runs and six RBI. Pujols joins Paul Molitor (1982) as the only players with a five-hit World Series game.
9th Inning: Albert Pujols makes tonight one for the ages with a solo shot in the ninth inning, giving Pujols the fourth three-home run game in World Series history. Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth, who did it twice, have the other three.
8th Inning: Not only have there been 22 runs on 26 hits tonight, the two teams have also combined to leave 13 runners on base.
8th Inning: Cardinals' multiple-run streak ends but St. Louis tacks on another run as Yadier Molina makes it a 4-RBI night with a double, scoring Daniel Descalso.
8th Inning: The Cardinals come to the plate in the eighth, having scored multiple runs in a World Series-record four straight innings.
7th Inning: Rangers won't go down without a fight as Mike Napoli's sacrifice fly gives us a 14-7 score you might see at tomorrow's Rams-Cowboys NFL games just down the street.
7th Inning: With his two homers tonight, Albert Pujols moved past Babe Ruth and into a sixth-place tie with Jim Thome on the all-time postseason home run list.
7th Inning: Three hours after the first pitch of Game 3, it's stretch time in Arlington with the Cardinals leading, 14-6.
7th Inning: Albert Pujols follows his sixth-inning three-run homer with a two-run blast to center, this one traveling an estimated 406 feet. A locked-in Pujols is a very scary sight for the Rangers.
6th Inning: If someone told Ron Washington his team would have six runs before it bats in the sixth inning tonight, he probably would have been pretty happy. But in this slugfest, it has the Rangers trailing by six runs.
6th Inning: Albert Pujols' home run just missed making him the second visiting player to hit a club-level homer here. The other? Pujols' hitting coach Mark McGwire in 1997.
6th Inning: Pujols' home run travelled an estimated 423 feet. Ballpark had absolutely nothing to do with that one, a jack that would have left any park in the majors.
6th Inning: Albert Pujols puts the Cardinals ahead 11-6 with an absolute no-doubter to left. Pujols now has three straight hits and his first home run of the 2011 World Series.
6th Inning: Alexi Ogando finally gets Allen Craig, blowing 97-MPH past him for the K. His reward? A one-out date with Albert Pujols.
6th Inning: Allen Craig vs. Alexi Ogando III comes with two on and nobody out after the Rangers reliever allows consecutive baserunners.
6th Inning: The matchup Ron Washington promised he wouldn't shy away from looks likely as Alexi Ogando enters with Allen Craig due up third in the inning.
6th Inning: Something to watch as both teams go deep into their bullpen. Do either Ron Washington or Tony La Russa pick a guy to go multiple innings to save the pen a bit for the next two days. There's no day off until Tuesday.
5th Inning: Rangers score three but leave the bases loaded as Ian Kinsler pops up a 94-MPH fastball to end the fifth inning.
5th Inning: Rangers with a chance to tie or even take the lead as a Yorvit Torrealba walk brings up Ian Kinsler with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth.
5th Inning: Mike Napoli's sacrifice fly cuts the Cardinals' lead to 8-6. There have been 13 runs since the start of the fourth inning tonight.
5th Inning: Tony La Russa with his second pitching change of the night as Lance Lynn comes in for Fernando Salas. The Rangers waste no time giving Lynn a rude reception as Adrian Beltre's single cuts the deficit to 8-5 with nobody out in the fifth.
5th Inning: Eight runs may not be enough for the Cardinals tonight as the Rangers strike with no outs in the fifth as Michael Young doubles in a run on the heels of back-to-back singles from Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton.
5th Inning: Josh Hamilton picks up his first hit of the World Series. There are now no hitless former MVPs remaining in this Fall Classic.
5th Inning: Things starting to get out of hand for the home team as the Cardinals put up a crooked number for a second straight inning when Yadier Molina follows a David Freese RBI groundout with a two-run double to left making it 8-3 St. Louis.
5th Inning: Middle of the Cardinals order doing its job tonight as St. Louis loads the bases on two walks and a single in the fifth inning. After going 0-for in St. Louis, Albert Pujols now has hits in consecutive at-bats.
4th Inning: Even the outs are exciting tonight as Matt Holliday's strike from deep down the left-field line cuts down Mike Napoli to end an action-packed fourth inning.
4th Inning: Eight runs combined in the first two games of this series. Eight runs and we're not out of the fourth inning tonight.
4th Inning: Tony La Russa has Fernando Salas warming in the bullpen as the Rangers continue to pound Kyle Lohse in the fourth. Kyle Loshe's night comes to and end in 3+ innings after Mike Napoli's full-count single through the middle.
4th Inning: Nelson Cruz certainly loves his home ballpark, he has now homered in four consecutive Rangers home playoff games. He also becomes the first Rangers hitter with multiple World Series home runs.
4th Inning: Nelson Cruz showing just how strong he is as he supplies all the power on an opposite-field home run, cutting St. Louis' lead to 5-3.
4th Inning: The Rangers quickly get one back as Michael Young jumps all over a straight fastball up in the zone, depositing it in the right-field bleachers.
4th Inning: Boos fill the air after Allen Craig grounds out to end the top of the fourth. Fans definitely not happy about the call at first base in an inning that saw the Cardinals score four runs.
4th Inning: After two poor throws open the floodgates here in Arlington, Matt Harrison's night ends when he records the second out on a nifty flip to Yorvit Torrealba before being replaced by reliever Scott Feldman.
4th Inning: The Rangers offense will have to step up in a big way tonight after the Cardinals extend their lead to 5-0 on Ryan Theriot's single just out of the reach of outstretched Adrian Beltre.
4th Inning: Scott Feldman warming up in the Rangers pen as Matt Harrison still tries to work his way out of the fourth.
4th Inning: Things go from bad to worse in a hurry for the Rangers as the Cardinals open up a 4-0 lead when Mike Napoli throws a would-be out at the plate past catcher Yorvit Torrealba, plating two Cardinals.
4th Inning: Cardinals cash in on the questionable call as Lance Berkman singles and David Freese drives Holliday in with a double to right field. Expect plenty of cries for instant replay if this inning decides Game 3.
4th Inning: A questionable call at first base as Ian Kinsler's wild throw is collected by Mike Napoli who swiped a quick tag on Matt Holliday as the Cardinals LF touched the bag.
4th Inning: Albert Pujols finally collects his first base hit of the series, punching a Matt Harrison breaking ball into left field to lead off the fourth inning.
3rd Inning: After an Ian Kinsler walk, great defensive positioning may have saved the Cardinals a run when a perfectly placed Allen Craig runs down Elvis Andrus' drive to right. Kyle Lohse living on the outside edge tonight and the Cardinals have set up their defense to take advantage.
3rd Inning: Matt Harrison brings the crowd to its feet by striking out Allen Craig to end the top of the third inning, Craig's first out of the World Series.
3rd Inning: Ian Kinsler quickly erases his own error, starting a nifty double play to get Theriot and Rafael Furcal and ensure that red-hot Allen Craig comes up with the bases empty -- very significant considering what Craig has done to Rangers pitching thus far.
3rd Inning: Tony La Russa said he put Ryan Theriot in tonight's lineup to have a second leadoff hitter in the AL park.
3rd Inning: Ian Kinsler has made some spectacular plays in this postseason but also booted some easy chances and that continues with a leadoff error in the third, turning the Cardinals lineup over with speedy Ryan Theriot on first base.
2nd Inning: Much like Jaime Garcia in Game 2, Kyle Lohse seems to be going to breaking balls low and away when it matters most against this Rangers lineup.
2nd Inning: After getting Mike Napoli on a popout to center, Kyle Lohse passes his first test of the night by ending the threat with a David Murphy groundout to Pujols. Looked like a sweeping breaking pitch that Lohse got Murphy to swing on top of to end the second.
2nd Inning: Kyle Lohse may see how quickly things can go bad against this lineup in this ballpark as a walk of Nelson Cruz brings up powerful Mike Napoli with two on and one out.
2nd Inning: A nice piece of two-strike hitting gives the Rangers their 1st baserunner of the night as Adrian Beltre flicks a breaking pitch into right field for a soft single.
2nd Inning: Matt Harrison appears to have settled in after a rocky first inning as he retires the side in order. Harrison looked to be leaving the ball up in the zone early on, not unusual for a player amped up for his first World Series start.
1st Inning: Jumping out to an early lead has been a big part of St. Louis' success this postseason. The Cardinals outscored the Brewers, 11-3, in the first inning in the NLCS and have scored first in all three World Series games.
1st Inning: Kyle Lohse not giving the Rangers a chance to find out how well the ball is carrying tonight, striking out Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus before getting Josh Hamilton on a groundout to first.
1st Inning: Despite allowing a Matt Holliday single after Allen Craig's home run, Matt Harrison gets out of the first without further damage, getting Lance Berkman on an inning-ending lineout to centerfielder Josh Hamilton.
1st Inning: Allen Craig goes from pinch-hitting sensation to early Game 3 star with a one-out blast to put the Cardinals ahead in the top of the first. Ball definitely looks to be carrying well as Craig's dead-pull shot travels an estimated 376 feet.
Pregame:
After a jet flyover and Dirk Nowitzki's first pitch to Michael Young further fired up and already loud crowd, it's baseball time in Arlington as Matt Harrison steps in to face Rafael Furcal to open Game 3.
Tonight's Game 3 starters Kyle Lohse and Matt Harrison bring in remarkably similar regular-season stat lines as both pitchers won 14 games with a 3.39 ERA in 2011.
David Freese has a hit in 12 consecutive postseason games, trailing only Brooks Robinson (14) for the longest streak by a third baseman.
Rangers OF Josh Hamilton has not homered in 48 postseason at-bats this year and also went homerless his last 17 at-bats of the regular season.
Game 3 has proven to be pivotal in World Series history. The team that wins Game 3 has gone on to win the Series 37 of the 52 times that the Fall Classic has been tied, 1-1.
- Tony La Russa said he went out for dinner with Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle last night. The Cardinals skipper said when he asked for advice on getting an edge in the series, Carlisle told him, "Get the ball to Dirk."
- The eight combined runs by the Cardinals and Rangers thus far are the fewest in the first two games of a Fall Classic since the Phillies and Yankees combined for just four in 1950.
- Cardinals living up to expectations, putting a power show of their own in BP.
Ball seems to be carrying well to all fields, especially right-center, on this warm Texas evening
- Cardinals on the field taking BP now. Should be fun to watch sluggers like Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday swing for the fences in a park where the ball carries like it does here in Arlington
- If Josh Hamilton's injury is bothering him, he's not showing it during BP as he and Ian Kinsler continue to take turns peppering the right-field seats with home run balls.
- Josh Hamilton just put consecutive balls in the deep reaches of the right-field upper deck during Rangers batting practice.
- Tony La Russa said he put Ryan Theriot into tonight's lineup so he could have the "American League second leadoff hitter" batting ninth.
La Russa said he was mad at himself for not having Jason Motte throw over to first base more than once in the ninth inning of Game 2, but he really didn't think Ian Kinsler would run.
La Russa on Dirk Nowitzki throwing out the first pitch tonight, "He can probably take one step from the mound and hand it."
- Edwin Jackson on pitching coach Dave Duncan, "He's a man of few words but when he does say something, it's definitely something that can help you."
Jackson sees a silver lining to being traded six times throughout his career, saying being involved in midseason deals has allowed him to pitch for a team with a chance almost every year.
Jackson said he will be out trying to execute his gameplan instead of doing anything differently at a hitter's park, saying that both teams get to hit in Arlington.
- Game 3 lineups:
Cardinals - SS Rafael Furcal, RF Allen Craig, 1B Albert Pujols, LF Matt Holliday, DH Lance Berkman, 3B David Freese, C Yadier Molina, CF Jon Jay, 2B Ryan Theriot and P Kyle Lohse.
Rangers - 2B Ian Kinsler, SS Elvis Andrus, CF Josh Hamilton, DH Michael Young, 3B Adrian Beltre, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Mike Napoli, LF David Murphy, C Yorvit Torrealba and P Matt Harrison.
- Ron Washington said he didn't consider DHing Josh Hamilton tonight and that Hamilton will return to centerfield in Game 3.
Washington said there is no matchup he would avoid tonight and if the situation calls for Alexi Ogando to face Allen Craig again tonight, it will happen.
- Game 4 starter Derek Holland on pitching in the World Series, "It's just another game with more media, that's the way we look at it."
Holland went on to praise manager Ron Washington for keeping his sane energetic style during the postseason to help the team stay loose and consistent.
- Albert Pujols is just 1-for-14 with no extra-base hits in three career games at Arlington. That could change soon though as Pujols had 17 extra-base hits in 112 at-bats against lefties during the regular season and the Rangers are starting southpaws in Games 3 and 4.
- Dirk Nowitzki of the NBA champion Mavericks will throw out the first pitch tonight before Game 3. Former President George W. Bush will have the honors before Game 4 followed by Cowboys legend Roger Staubach in Game 5.
- Game 3 starter Matt Harrison was one of the players acquired in the Rangers' 2007 trade of Mark Teixeira to the Braves. Also landed in that trade, Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz have already made an impact for the Rangers during this World Series.
- Coming home could mean big things for a Rangers offense that mustered just four runs and 11 hits over the first two games. The Rangers batted .296 and scored 829 runs at home during the regular season compared to a .269 team average and 726 runs scored in road games.
Ian Kinsler batter .296 at home and hit just .214 in road games during the regular season while Adrian Beltre belted 23 of his 32 regular-season home runs in Arlington
- With the designated hitter added in Game 3, both managers have made some changes to their lineups with Game 1 and 2 starters moving into the DH role.
- Ron Washington will insert catcher Yorvit Torrealba into the lineup at catcher in Game 3, shifting Mike Napoli to first base and allowing Michael Young to return to the DH spot.
- Tony La Russa decided to DH slugger Lance Berkman in Game 3, allowing pinch-hit hero Allen Craig to start Saturday's contest in right field.
Game 3 features a pair of pitchers making their World Series debut.
- Rangers starter Matt Harrison was left off of the Rangers postseason roster in 2010 but pitched his way into the Game 3 role by winning 14 games during the 2011 regular season. The left-handed Harrison is 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA in the 2011 postseason.
Tony La Russa will counter with right-handed veteran Kyle Lohse in Game 3. Lohse went 14-8 with a 3.39 ERA but is 0-4 in his postseason career. Lohse has been roughed up in each of his 2011 postseason appearances, allowing five earned runs in an NLDS loss to the Phillies and lasting just 4.1 innings in an NLCS defeat against the Brewers.
- The Rangers' last home World Series contest was a series-ending 3-1 Game 5 loss to the Tim Lincecum and the Giants a year ago. The Cardinals last wore road uniforms in the World Series in Game 2 of the 2006 Fall Classic, a 3-1 loss to the Tigers.
- Tied at one game a piece, the 2011 World Series shifts to Arlington, Texas for Game 3 at 8:05 p.m. ET. After two chilly nights in St. Louis, temperatures are expected to be in the 70s at first pitch as the Rangers host their first game of this Fall Classic on Saturday.