Albert Pujols

The Cardinals desperately needed to get out of Milwaukee with one win. With Albert Pujols leading the way with three doubles and a home run, the Cardinals boarded their HAPPY FLIGHT back to St. Louis after securing a 12-3 victory over the Brew Crew.

Yes, that was correct! Albert the Machine is back! Three doubles and a home run? That comes out to 5 RBI! Either Albert didn’t like Nyjer Morgan referring to him as Alberta in a tweet earlier this season or … he’s finally out of his post-season slump! Let’s hope all of the above, as he will have a very appreciative crowd awaiting him at Busch on Wednesday!

In addition to Albert’s big day, David Freese had a home run in the ninth inning. It was his second homer in the NLCS. The native St. Louis guy has come up big for his home town!

The Cardinals big inning came in the seventh off Kameron Loe. With one out, Albert got on board with a ground-rule double. Matt Holliday drove him in with a single to right field. Lance Berkman got on base, moving Matt up to second. Yadi Molina drove in Holliday with a single to right. Lance moved up to third. Freese singled to center fielder Nyjer Morgan and scored Lance. Yadi moved up to third. And then, Nick Punto singled to score Yadi.

After four runs crossed the plate, Milwaukee brought in LaTroy Hawkins to close out the inning.

Pitching wise, the Cardinals got a decent start out of Edwin Jackson who went 4.1 innings, gave up seven hits, two earned runs and a homer, but did strike out three. Jackson was pulled before Milwaukee could take advantage. With a man on board in the fifth, Arthur Rhodes came in and walked a batter. Lance Lynn, who missed a majority of the last half of the season on the disabled list, came in with two on board and Rickie Weeks, who already had a 2-run homer in the game, up to at.

It seemed very easy for Lynn, though. He got Weeks to hit into an inning ending double play with one pitch. And earned himself his first win of the playoffs.

Salas, Zepper and Motte contributed excellent innings of work. Mitchell Boggs could be added to that list … had he not given up a big fat homer to Prince Fielder.

And I know you are curious, so I will tell you this … Nyjer wasn’t too beasty! Not only did he have several hilarious misplays in the outfield, BUT he was 0 for 3 with a walk, and he got left on base. Let’s hope the Cardinals pitching and the defense keep this up.

There will be no beast mode from the Brewers … not in St. Louis!

The Cardinals have three to win. They just so happen to have three games in St. Louis. It’s time to finish this series off at home guys! You can do it! I believe! I hope Stan the Rally Squirrel and Torty Craig and Sir Wellington are ready!

Go Cardinals!