The Cardinals were leading the Rangers 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but one sensed that the Rangers were lucky to still be that close, given that the Cards had stranded so many baserunners by going 1-for-9 with RISP. The Rangers had been playing with fire, but somehow, they hadn't yet been burned too bad.
If the Rangers were lucky to have the score 2-1, they must be extra lucky to have the score 2-2. Chris Carpenter retired the first two batters he saw in the bottom of the sixth with ease. He then got ahead of Adrian Beltre with a terrific low fastball. Ahead 0-1, Carpenter threw Beltre a curveball, and
Carpenter didn't hang it. It wasn't a bad curveball. It was a good curveball. And Adrian Beltre maimed it to tie the score. It's not the first time Beltre has hit a home run while going to his knee, and it's not the tenth time Beltre has hit a home run while going to his knee, but every time he does it, it still feels fresh.
The Rangers would threaten some more, following the homer with consecutive singles, but Carpenter escaped the inning by getting Mike Napoli to fly out to the deepest part of the ballpark, just like he was trying. Carpenter meant for Napoli to hit the ball 400 feet and get out.
2-2. Seventh inning. Wow!