Cardinals Dominate Game 1!

DETROIT - Anthony Reyes pitched a gem not only for his team, but for the entire National League. The rookie right-hander, making the second postseason start of his career, sparkled as the Cardinals rolled past the Tigers, 7-2, in Game 1 of the 102nd World Series on Saturday. The win ended a two-year, eight-game National League losing streak in the World Series, as well as an eight-game World Series losing streak for manager Tony La Russa. It also began to erase the frustrating memories of the Cards` 2004 showing against the Red Sox, when they were swept and the heart of their order was shut down. In a game reminiscent of his one-hitter against the White Sox in June, Reyes cruised. He was touched for two hits, a walk and a run in the first inning, but was absolutely brilliant after that. He retired 17 in a row, with the next Tigers baserunner coming on a single off Ronnie Belliard`s glove in the seventh. Reyes left after allowing a home run to Craig Monroe leading off the ninth. Braden Looper finished the combined four-hitter. Scott Rolen`s first career World Series hit was a homer that got his team on the board, and Albert Pujols` first career World Series home run was the key blow in a three-run third inning. The Cards exhibited a trait that has served them well throughout the `06 playoffs. In the next half-inning, they tied the game. Rolen hit his first home run of the postseason, a solo shot off Justin Verlander in the top of the second, to make it 1-1. When the Cards were swept in the 2004 World Series, Rolen went 0-for-15 while fighting a calf injury. It was the 11th time in 12 games this postseason that an opponent has taken a lead against the Cardinals. On seven of those occasions, St. Louis has scored at least one run in the ensuing half-inning. An inning later, the Redbirds took the lead for themselves, and never relinquished it. National League Championship Series hero Yadier Molina led off with a single, but had only advanced to second after out No. 2. However, Chris Duncan poked a double down the right-field line, giving St. Louis the advantage. Pujols followed with a two-run homer to right field, and it was 4-1. At no point in the 2004 World Series did the Cardinals hold a lead. They were never even tied later than the first inning of any game but the first contest against the Red Sox. Verlander was lifted in the sixth, after which a defensive meltdown betrayed him and reliever Jason Grilli. With runners on second and third and no outs, Juan Encarnacion hit a routine chopper to third. Third baseman Brandon Inge had a hard time corralling it, then threw wild to home plate, allowing Jim Edmonds to score. As Rolen came around third, Inge got in his way and was charged with interference, allowing Rolen to score.