Kelly, Cardinals blanking Red Sox early in Game 3
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Kelly has pitched three perfect innings and the Cardinals put up two runs in the first inning against Jake Peavy to grab a 2-0 lead over the Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series.
St. Louis evened the best-of-seven series Thursday with a come-from-behind 4-2 win at Fenway Park.
Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina both singled in a run Saturday. Matt Carpenter started the bottom of the first with a single to right and advanced on Carlos Beltran's sacrifice bunt. Holliday then hit a slicing line drive to right field, and Carpenter scored standing up.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Matt Adams singled to right, Molina hit a low liner to left. Daniel Nava's throw home was cut off.
Carpenter made a sparkling defensive play in the second by diving to stab Nava's grounder. Carpenter threw from his knees to record the out.
Jacoby Ellsbury dropped Holliday's pop-up to short center field in the third inning. Holliday, though, ran past first and was tagged out.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With the series switching to a National League park, the Red Sox started designated hitter David Ortiz at first base. Fellow slugger Mike Napoli was not in the American League champions' starting lineup.
The shift to no DH could prove crucial. Boston designated hitters led the AL with a .310 batting average and topped the majors with 33 homers and 110 RBI during the regular season. Meanwhile, Boston pitchers combined to go 1-for-26 during the regular season. That lone hit came off Peavy.
The Cardinals, though, were also not great with their pitchers at the plate. They ranked 11th among NL clubs with a .126 average.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prior to the game, Beltran was named the 2013 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who combines outstanding play on the field with devoted work in the community.