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• World Series Game 5 - The Boston Red Sox' 4-2 win last night in St. Louis tied the seven-game series with the Cardinals up at 2-2. Jonny Gomes broke things open with a three-run blast in the sixth inning of what was a 1-1 game. The Cards try to avoid dropping two of three at home in Busch Stadium tonight with Adam Wainwright on the mound against left-hander Jon Lester, who threw 7 2/3 scoreless, walking one and striking out eight in Boston's 8-1 win in Game 1.
Four starts into his fourth postseason run, Lester, 29, is (3-1) with a 1.67 ERA, eight walks (2.67 BB/9) and 22 Ks (7.33 K/9) in 27 IP in which he's held opposing hitters to a .216/.290/.289 line. In 12 games and 10 career postseason starts, the Red Sox' left-hander is (5-4) with a 2.22 ERA, 21 walks (2.74 BB/9) and 61 Ks (7.96 K/9) in 69 postseason innings pitched over which he's held the opposition to a .214/.279/.331 line. Asked about his success in the postseason, the lefty told reporters yesterday he didn't know how to respond.
"I feel like I've pitched pretty good throughout most of my seasons," Lester said, "and it's just carried over into the postseason. I don't feel like I've put up bad numbers, and all of a sudden get into the postseason and put up good numbers.
"I don't know what it is. I like this stage. I like knowing that I've got to go out there and give everything I've got for my teammates, because tomorrow might be our last game."
Adam Wainwright, 32, gave up six hits and five runs, three earned in five innings pitched when he and Lester faced off in Game 1.
In four postseason starts this fall, the veteran right-hander is (2-2) with a 2.25 ERA, two walks (0.64 BB/9) and 24 Ks (7.71 K/9) in 28 IP with opposing hitters putting up a .221/.234/.317 line against him so far. Wainwright told reporters yesterday he still wasn't sure what went wrong with his mechanics in the first game.
"I honestly don't know why my mechanics were as bad as they were, my delivery was off as much as it was," Wainwright said. "But I feel like I've put a lot of good reps in in front of the mirror, and watching film and feeling my delivery again, learning the basics all over again. I feel like I've made a lot of good adjustments to be ready for this next game to throw some quality pitches."
With the series tied at 2-2 and headed back to Boston on Wednesday, the Cardinals look to avoid falling behind while the Red Sox look to take advantage of the momentum they picked up last night.
Game Coverage Starts At 7:30 PM EDT.