Jaime Garcia was all too familiar with this script, one that relegated him to a hard-luck no-decision in a start that, had the Cardinals successfully closed out, would have been widely proclaimed as one of the best in his young career.

With an ailing Josh Hamilton and Michael Young stepping up in Game 2, the Rangers became the only team in baseball history to win a World Series game in which all of their runs were scored on sacrifice flies.

Perhaps it was prescience on the part of the skipper. More likely, it was just coincidence. But before Game 2 of the World Series, Tony La Russa noted that geniuses morph into goats with surprising speed in a culture suited for instantaneous second guesses.

The Rangers and Cardinals have combined for eight runs over the first two games of the World Series. Most players agreed on the cause: excellent starting pitching.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said he would likely be on the disabled list with a strained left groin muscle if this were the regular season. But with a World Series championship at stake, he's going to do everything he can to help his ballclub.

The Rangers, three outs away from going down, two games to none, in the World Series, rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning on Thursday night and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals in Game 2 at Busch Stadium.

Josh Hamilton, playing at far less than top physical capacity, was still good enough to play a crucial role in the Rangers' 2-1 victory on Thursday night over the Cardinals.

If there is a blemish on what the Cardinals have accomplished so far this postseason, it hovers over World Series Game 3 starter Kyle Lohse. Twice, Lohse has taken the mound in October. Twice, he has lost, posting a 7.45 ERA in the process.

Theo Epstein continued to work at Fenway Park Thursday while the Red Sox and Cubs discussed compensation options to allow the 37-year-old general manager to take over baseball operations in Chicago.

Andrew Friedman is reportedly being considered for the Angels' open general manager position. Los Angeles team brass was said to be in Florida this week to meet with the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations.

David Ortiz, a seven-time All-Star with two World Series championship rings, 378 home runs and an ebullient persona, was selected as the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award winner for his charitable efforts and contributions made through the David Ortiz Children's Fund.

Prospective Astros owner Jim Crane has been in conversations with Major League Baseball about receiving financial compensation for agreeing to move the team to the American League if his ownership group is approved, a source confirmed for MLB.com on Thursday.

In the same city where he once helped reverse the Curse of the Bambino, David Ortiz accepted the Roberto Clemente Award before Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday and then said he is not looking to leave the Red Sox.

Country music star Trace Adkins, who opened Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night by singing the national anthem at Busch Stadium, is always in awe when he meets Albert Pujols.

Despite the Rangers' 3-2 Game 1 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday, club president Nolan Ryan remains firmly behind his prediction that Texas will win the World Series in six games.

On a day dedicated by MLB to community service, Hall of Famer Lou Brock and Roberto Clemente's widow, Vera Clemente, helped reach out in St. Louis before Thursday's Game 2 of the World Series.

The Reds have decided to have left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman start some games in the Arizona Fall League this month as he prepares for a transition to the rotation.