Red Sox Take 3-2 Lead

Jon Lester pitched the Boston Red Sox within a whisker of yet another World Series championship. He bested Adam Wainwright once again, journeyman David Ross hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning, and the Red Sox downed the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 last night to take a 3-2 Series edge. David Ortiz delivered his latest big hit, too, sending the Red Sox back to Fenway Park with a chance to clinch their third crown in a decade. Not since 1918 has Boston won the title at its own ballpark.

"The fact is we're going home," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Going back to a place that our guys love to play in, in front of our fans." The atmosphere "has been phenomenal. We know it's going to be equal to that, if not better," he said. "And we're excited about going home in the position we are." John Lackey gets the first chance to win it tomorrow night against St. Louis rookie sensation Michael Wacha. A Cardinals victory would set up a most spooky proposition for both teams—Game 7 on Halloween night. (More World Series stories.)