Game 7: Close call helps Cards extend lead to 5-2

A close call goes to the Cardinals in the fifth inning.

With first base open, Texas intentionally walked David Freese to load the bases with two outs. Scott Feldman fell behind 3-1 on Yadier Molina, then threw a strike. The full-count pitch also looked like a strike, right on the outside corner, but this time Feldman didn’t get the call from plate umpire Jerry Layne.

Ball four, 4-2 Cardinals.

Hard to argue with walking Freese in that spot, even though Molina has a clutch pedigree. Freese has just been on such a tear lately, especially in big situations.

C.J. Wilson came on and hit Rafael Furcal with his first pitch, forcing in another run. Skip Schumaker strikes out to end the inning.

St. Louis leads 5-2.

Texas pitchers have issued 40 walks in the World Series, tying the record set by the 1997 Florida Marlins.

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Allen Craig makes a leaping catch at the left-field fence in the sixth, probably taking a home run away from Nelson Cruz. Chris Carpenter works a 1-2-3 sixth, and the Cardinals are nine outs from their second World Series championship in six seasons.

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Big sequence in the top of the fifth inning.

Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff single and was sacrificed to second by Elvis Andrus. 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 wide of third. 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.

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

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