Lohse was just good enough to beat Giants
Matt Carpenter who replaced an injured Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer in the the third inning and Kyle Lohse pitched into the sixth allowing just one earned run, while striking out five and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants and a a 3 1/2-hour rain delay in Game three of the NLCS 3-1. Lohse is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA this postseason. Jason Motte pitched a perfect two innings to record the first six-out save of his career. St. Louis now leads the NLCS 2-1
Beltran left the game with a left knee strain trying to beat out a double play in the first inning. An MRI on Beltran’s left knee came back negative.
Giants starter Matt Cain lost for the second time this season, allowing three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. The Giants were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. The Giants lone run was scored in the third inning when Pablo Sandoval grounded out scoring Angel Pagan. Marco Scutaro had two hits two days after taking a hard slide from Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday in game two.
Game 4 is in St. Louis on Thursday night, with Adam Wainwright pitching for the Cardinals. Tim Lincecum will start for the Giants.
