Clutch hitting in 8th inning moves Texas closer to title

After a dropped ball and a dropped call, of sorts, loaded the bases in the eighth inning, Mike Napoli delivered a tiebreaking two-run double that beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 and gave the Texas Rangers a 3-2 lead in the World Series.

Napoli’s go-ahead stroke came off Marc Rzepczynski, right after a potential double-play ball slipped away from the St. Louis reliever, who wasn’t even supposed to face Napoli. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he called down to the bullpen earlier in the 8th inning and wanted Rzepczynski and closer Jason Motte to get ready. Instead, bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist heard only Rzepczynski at first. La Russa called again to ask for Motte and this time Lilliquist heard “Lynn,” as in reliever Lance Lynn.

Now the series moves back to St. Louis for Game 6 this Wednesday night at 8 pm ET where Texas could wrap up the 2011 MLB season with a championship, with Colby Lewis facing Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia. However, the weather forecast for Busch Stadium is calling for rain and temperatures around 50.