Arguably the greatest post-season position player of all time,the St.Louis Cardinals' right fielder Carlos Beltran added flash to an otherwise dull contest that dragged into extra innings,spriting the redbirds to a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series Friday night.The steady pitching of the Cardinals' Joe Kelly and the Dodgers' Zach Greinke and good relievers kept the bats at bay for most of the game.*
In the top of the tenth inning,the Dodgers threatened to take the lead when Mark Ellis tripled and Michael Young hit a fly ball,but Carlos Beltran caught it and threw a laser to home plate,nailing Ellis when he slid home.The Puerto Rican,a veteran of 35 postseason games coming into tonight,chewed his gum as he faced reliever Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the 13th,then lined a walkoff double to the right field corner,delighting the Busch Stadium sellout crowd,most of whom stayed till the 12:30 am conclusion of the series opener.*
Beltran's regular season record is very good,but not great,with a batting average of .283,along with 358 home runs and 300 stolen bases.In the post-season,however,he has batted .357 with 15 homers in 129 at bats,tying Babe Ruth's postseason home run record.That's a home run per every 8.6 at bats.On the strength of his post-season sparkle,Beltran,36,may well qualify for the Hall of Fame.*
I think God gave me the calm I needed to play this game,Beltran said.I just stayed in myself and tried to play the game the high way.I got to give the glory and the honor to God.We're fortunate to be here.Today was a good game,and that's what it's all about.They didn't want to lose,and we didn't want to lose.*
Update:The St.Louis Cardinals also won Game 2 of the National League Championship Series,edging the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 1-0.Now the next three games will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles starting on Monday evening.
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