Game 7: Back and forth again; Cards take 3-2 lead

Big sequence in the top of the fifth inning.

Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff single and was sacrificed to second by Elvis Andrus. Chris Carpenter fell behind 3-1 on Josh Hamilton _ the only strike may have been a generous call. Hamilton then swung at an inside pitch that might have been ball four and lofted a foul popup. Third baseman David Freese caught it at the dugout railing for the second out.

Freese had a similar chance Thursday night but was unable to make the play.

Michael Young struck out to end the inning.

Scott Feldman has replaced Texas starter Matt Harrison in the bottom of the fifth. The Cardinals still lead 3-2.

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Harrison worked a scoreless fourth. He pounded Skip Schumaker in on the hands, shattering his bat on a groundout, and retired Carpenter on an easy fly with runners at second and third to end the inning.

Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal, dropped from his leadoff spot to seventh in the lineup, is 2 for 2 with a pair of singles.

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Allen Craig hits his third home run of the World Series to give St. Louis a 3-2 lead after three innings.

Craig’s opposite-field fly to right appeared to carry and carry before landing in the Cardinals’ bullpen as St. Louis relievers danced with glee.

C.J. Wilson is warming up again for Texas, with Harrison due up third in the fourth inning.

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With runners at the corners in the second, Carpenter retired Andrus on a comebacker to end the inning.

Carpenter is the first pitcher to make three starts in one World Series since Curt Schilling for Arizona in 2001. Carpenter, who beat Texas 3-2 in Game 1 and took a no-decision in Game 5, is 6-0 at home in his postseason career. His eight career postseason wins tie him with Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for most among active pitchers.

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