Rookie Michael Wacha and Veteran Carlos Beltran Help Cardinals Even Series

Two St. Louis Cardinals who are playing in their first World Series helped the club win Game 2 of the 2013 edition on October 24th.  Carlos Beltran, playing in his first World Series at age 36, drove in a run with a base hit in the seventh inning to  give the Cardinals an insurance run in their 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.  Beltran bruised his ribs while playing in the outfield in Game 1, but was not about to sit the game out.

But the real story is 22 year old pitcher Michael Wacha.  The rookie picked up the victory, allowing two runs on a David Ortiz home run in six innings of work.  Wacha ran his post season record to 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA.  Before the Ortiz homer, Wacha tied Cardinal great Bob Gibson’s club record of 19 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Cardinals picked up Wacha using a draft pick that originally belonged to the Los Angeles Angels.  The Cardinals got the pick after Albert Pujols signed with Angels as a free agent two years ago, and a few months before trading shortstop Jean Segura to Milwaukee for pitcher Zack Greinke.  Greinke left for the Dodgers and Segura is the starting shortstop for the Brewers.  A couple of not very good deals by L.A.  At least they didn’t trade Mike Trout.