St Louis Cardinals have snatched a dramatic 5-4 victory at the bottom of the ninth against the Boston Red Sox to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series.
It was another overthrow to third base that cost John Farrell's men dearly, as this time Jarrod Saltalamacchia surrendered the game as Craig Breslow had in game two.
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Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday got the home side on the board at Busch Stadium at the bottom of the first, but Xander Bogaerts hit to left field and ran three bases before Pete Kozma's hit allowed him to cross the plate.
A critical moment had unfolded before that, as the Cardinals had the bases loaded in the fifth but Jake Peavy came up with the goods to strike out Kozma.
Joe Kelly and Carpenter then popped out as Peavy kept his team in with a shout.
David Ortiz levelled the game off a Shane Victorino single at the top of the sixth, but Carpenter and Carlos Beltran restore the lead at the bottom of the seventh.
Once again the Red Sox roared back, with Jacob Ellsbury and Victorino crossing the plate but with extra innings on the horizon, a poor throw from Saltamacchia gifted Allen Craig the opportunity to touch the plate.
There were questions over interference, but he was called safe.
Game four takes place at Busch Stadium tomorrow morning (BST).
Michael Penkman
