World Series: Carlos Beltran In, Pete Kozma Out in Game 2

Having Carlos Beltran available could be a difference maker for the Cardinals.

The Boston bats came alive early in front of their home crowd in Game 1 of the World Series. Scoring five runs in the first two innings, the Red Sox got to Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright early and St. Louis never recovered.

There were only three official errors committed by the Cards, but it was a game in which pretty much anything that could’ve gone wrong, did go wrong. The second inning was particularly disastrous for the visiting team.

Starting shortstop Pete Kozma committed two costly errors early on, including dropping the ball at second base on a play that umpire Dana DeMuth initially ruled runner David Ortiz out. Although it was clear Kozma had dropped the ball and Ortiz was safe.

Boston’s manager John Farrell immediately approached DeMuth on the field and lobbied for the officials to confer and reconsider the call. The crew agreed and ultimately were unanimous in their decision to overturn it, much to the dismay of St. Louis manager Mike Matheny.

Perhaps the only bright spot for the Cardinals was a play made by outfielder Carlos Beltrán. In a reversal of what happened to Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter in Game 2 of the ALCS, Beltrán made a dramatic catch on what looked to be another grand slam by Big Papi.

Without that catch, the final 8-1 score could’ve been substantially more lopsided. Beltrán’s catch alone represented a swing of three runs—only one runner made it home on the play, as opposed to four.

Unfortunately his heroics did not come without a price. Beltrán’s ribs were bruised on the wall while making the catch, which took him out of the lineup for the rest of the game. He was taken to a hospital and, although tests came back negative, was questionable heading into Game 2.

The Cardinals got a boost two hours before game time, when it was announced that Beltrán would be returning to the lineup tonight. Out of the lineup is Pete Kozma, whose head couldn’t have been right after those gaffes in Game 1.

We’ll soon see if the Cards can right the ship and head back to St. Louis with the series knotted at 1-1 or if the Red Sox will continue their World Series domination, winning their 10th straight game dating back to their win over the St. Louis in 2003.

Game 2 starts momentarily.