Cardinals Take 2-1 Lead in NLCS on Matt Carpenter's Homer; Tigers-Yankees Game Four Postponed

Players of the Day for Wednesday, October 17, 2012

American League

ALCS Game Four was postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday, 4:07 pm EDT, in Detroit, with the Tigers leading the series three game to one.

National League

NLCS: St. Louis 3 San Francisco 1 - Rookie Matt Carpenter's two-run, third-inning homer provided the winning margin for the Cardinals to take a two to one lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

Matt Carpenter

Carpenter's first post-season blast came after the Giants had plated a run in the top of the inning off St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse, who struggled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five walks, but surrendered only one run. During the regular season, Carpenter batted .294 with six home runs and 46 RBI.

St. Louis added another tally in the seventh inning, just before a 3 1/2 hour rain delay. Officials could have just called the game complete at that point, as both the St. Louis and San Francisco bullpens held strong and did not allow any hits or runs following the delay.

Carpenter was subbed into the game in the top of the second, replacing Carlos Beltran in right field after Beltran strained his left knee running out a double play ball in the bottom of the first. His status is uncertain for game four, slated to start at 8:07 pm on Thursday night in St. Louis.