Cardinals top Red Sox 4-2, even World Series at game apiece

Puerto Rican slugger Carlos Beltran shook off pain in his ribs to help lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 42 road victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the World Series, which is now knotted at a game apiece.

The Cardinals were in danger of going down 20 in the Fall Classic but three runs in the top of the seventh inning, capped off by a runscoring single by Beltran, turned around their fortunes.

Trailing 21 Thursday night at Fenway Park in Boston, the Cardinals knocked Red Sox starter John Lackey out of the game by getting two men on with one out and then loading the bases when reliever Craig Breslow walked Daniel Descalso.

The play of the game then occurred in the next atbat.

Second baseman Matt Carpenter lifted a soft fly ball to left field that was deep enough to score pitch runner Pete Kozma from third base.

When Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was unable to handle the throw from left field, Descalso advanced to second base and center fielder John Jay also made off for third base.

Breslow, who was backing up the play at the plate, then made the questionable decision to try to get Jay out at third. His throw soared over shortstop Stephen Drew’s outstretched arm, allowing Jay to score and Descalso to reach third base.

A single to right field by Beltran, who was questionable for Thursday night’s game after bruising his ribs on a defensive play in Game 1, then brought home Descalso to make the score 42.

The Red Sox later threatened in the bottom of the eighth when they put on a runner on for David Ortiz, who had driven in both of Boston’s runs with a sixthinning home run over the Green Monster in left field.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny elected to pitch to the star designated hitter, who on this occasion managed only a single.

First baseman Mike Napoli then popped out to end the inning and the Red Sox’s last threat.

The Cardinals’ rookie pitching sensation, Michael Wacha, delivered another strong performance, although the home run he gave up to Ortiz nearly cost St. Louis the game.

Lackey also turned in a strong outing for Boston, leaving after 6 1/3 innings with a 21 lead.

The series now shifts to St. Louis, where Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played.