Last night’s game 7 of the 2011 World Series was do or die, for both the Cardinals and the Rangers. A win for the Rangers would mean their first World Series Championship in the franchises history. A win for the Cardinals would mean their second World Series Championship in the past ten years. It was game on.

The start of the game saw Cardinal’s pitcher Chris Carpenter on the mound. He was pitching on only three days rest, but as the Cardinal’s best pitcher, he was their best chance of a victory. He had to be on his game.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Carpenter didn’t seem to be on his game to start out. Giving up two runs in the top of the first inning. The first run for the Rangers coming off of an RBI double by Josh Hamilton, who’s not had the best post season, but has come through in some big spots. The second run of the inning came on an RBI double from Michael Young, that scored Hamilton from second. It was 2-0, Rangers, just like that. It wasn’t looking good for the Cardinals.

Moving on to the bottom half of the inning. The Cardinals have a runner on first and second, with two outs. The two base runners came off of two straight walks by Ranger’s pitcher, Matt Harrison. The next batter, David Freese, came through again for the Cardinals, by doubling to left field, allowing both Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman to score. The game was now tied, 2-2.

Jumping ahead to the bottom of the third, the score is still tied 2-2. The batter, Allen Craig, sends a ball to right field. At first it appeared as if Craig had popped the ball up. But it kept carrying and carrying, just enough to get over the wall. The Cardinals now lead, 3-2.

Now skipping ahead to the bottom of the fifth inning. Things got ugly for the Rangers. After bringing in Scott Feldman to replace Matt Harrison, he walks Allen Craig, plunks Albert Pujols, and then intentionally walks David Freese. The bases are loaded with two outs. So what does Feldman do? He walks the next batter, Yadier Molina, which allows the runner at third, Allen Craig, to walk home. The score is now, 4-2, Cardinals. With the bases STILL loaded, and one out left to get, the Rangers replaced Feldman with their Ace, C.J. Wilson. What does Wilson do? On the FIRST pitch he throws, after coming in the game, he hits the batter, Rafael Furcal, allowing another run to WALK home. The score is now 5-2. Wilson then strikes out Skip Schumaker. But the damage has been done.

Moving onto the top of the sixth inning. The Rangers look to cut the lead by a run, as Nelson Cruz launches a ball to deep center field. It appears as if it will sail over the outfield wall. But at the last second, Allen Craig makes the leaping catch, robbing Cruz of a home run. To me, that catch by Craig was the nail in the Ranger’s coffin.

Bottom of the seventh. The Cardinals have runners on first and second, with one out. The batter, Yadier Molina, hits a single to center field. Lance Berkman, the runner at second, scores. The RBI single by Molina makes the score 6-2, Cardinals. The Cardinals start to feel the victory.

Moving on to the top of the ninth. The score is still 6-2, Cardinals, with Nelson Cruz coming up to bat. Jason Motte, the hard throwing “closer” for the Cardinals, is the new pitcher. Motte gets Cruz to fly out to center fielder, Jon Jay. Two outs to go. The next batter, Mike Napoli–who’s been oustanding for the Rangers in the World Series–grounds out to third base. The Cardinals are now just one out away from winning the World Series. David Murphy approaches the plate as the last chance for the Rangers. Everything rides on him. But Murphy doesn’t come through, as all he can do is fly out to left field. The crowd goes insane! The Cardinals have done it. After being down 10.5 games to the Braves in the Wild Card chase on August 25, they’ve come all the way back to win the World Series. It’s truly one of the more remarkable runs in baseball history.

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals, for winning the 2011 World Series.

I feel bad for the Texas Rangers. After making it all the way to the World Series last season, and losing to the San Fransisco Giants, this season was their chance to redeem themselves. But it wasn’t meant to be I guess.

After the game was over, Bud Selig presented the M.V.P. trophy to David Freese. Freese–who’s the reason the Cardinal’s even made it to a game seven–came through for the Cardinal’s every single time they needed him to. He truly was the Cardinal’s Most Valuable Player.

Once again, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals for winning the 2011 World Series. A remarkable end, to a remarkable season.

POLL RESULTS

The very first poll I posted back on October 10th, asked who you thought would win the 2011 World Series, and in how many games. The majority of the votes had the Rangers winning in six games. It’s funny how far off that prediction was.