The win for Carpenter was his third of the postseason in four starts. The only scoring the 36-year old right-hander allowed was a two-run home run to catcher Mike Napoli before the bullpen shut down the Texas lineup for the final three innings. Jason Motte got the save, his fifth of the playoffs.
Berkman, who was the only Cardinal with more than one hit, singled home Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday in the bottom of the fourth to put the Cardinals up 2-0. Pujols who reached after being hit by a pitch from Rangers’ starter C.J. Wilson, advanced to third on Holliday’s double.
Wilson, who took the loss, continued his mediocre postseason giving three runs in five and two-thirds innings. The 30-year old impending free-agent walked six batters (two intentional) and gave up four hits. Wilson is now 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA in the 2011 playoffs.
Infielders Ian Kinsler and Adrian Beltre led the Rangers with two hits a piece. Beltre hit a two-out double in the second before being stranded but scored on the Napoli home run that tied it up in the fith. Kinsler led off the game with an infield single but was thrown out at second.
Game 2 is Thursday night with the Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia (0-2, 5.74 ERA) taking the hill against Rangers’ starter Colby Lewis (1-1, 3.86 ERA) in St. Louis.
