Molina's home run lifts St. Louis to World Series

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2006

NEW YORK (AFP) — Yadier Molina blasted a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning as St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the World Series with a 3-1 win over the New York Mets. Scott Rolen singled with one out in the ninth before Molina belted the first pitch from Aaron Heilman (0-1) over the left field fence to break a 1-1 tie.

"I was looking for a changeup and he gave it to me," Molina said. "I just put my best swing on it." Just three innings earlier, Endy Chavez had made one of the greatest catches in Major League Baseball playoff history to keep the score tied at 1-1. The Cardinals clinched the 17th National League pennant in franchise history and second in the last three years. They will meet the Detroit Tigers in game one of the World Series on Saturday. "There was...