After a one week hiatus, the Detroit Tigers were handed its worst defeat of the post-season, falling 7-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals’ offense hit strong, as the bats of Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen provided the core of the production. They combined for two homeruns and four runs batted in, leading the team to victory.

The Cardinals were also led by rookie Anthony Reyes. The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher threw a gem. Reyes pitched more than eight innings, giving up four hits, one run (homerun by Craig Monroe in bottom of the ninth) and striking out four. Reyes became the first Cardinal rookie to win a World Series game since John Stuper in the 1982 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The starting pitcher for the Tigers was right-handed rookie Justin Verlander. Verlander struggled the entire game, only pitching five innings, giving up six hits and seven runs, six of which were earned. The Cardinal hitters got to him early, scoring four runs in the first three innings of the ball-game. The defense for Detroit was also rusty as they committed three errors during the game.

Game 2 of the World Series shows a change in baseball. Have you heard of the phrase, “40 is the new 30?” It seems that is becoming reality for Detroit pitcher Kenny Rogers. The crafty 41-year-old lefty pitched the game of his life. After Detroit lost Game 1, 7-2, Rogers helped even the Series by pitching an outstanding game.

Rogers pitched eight shutout innings giving up two hits, three walks and striking out five batters. He continued his scoreless streak to 23 consecutive innings in the 2006 post-season.

The Cardinals’ offense didn’t put up the numbers it had the previous night. It also brought on a little controversy. In the first inning, FOX cameras pointed out that Rogers had a substance on his pitching hand. St. Louis Manager Tony LaRussa and Detroit Manager Jim Leyland had a meeting with Randy Marsh, the umpire crew chief, to discuss the situation. They had Rogers clean his hand off for the second inning.

That didn’t stop the Tigers from losing any momentum.

Detroit Tiger Monroe also has kept his strong showing in the post-season by hitting his fifth homer of the playoffs. He slammed a first pitch fastball from Cardinal starting pitcher Jeff Weaver into the left field seats. Shortstop Carlos Guillen had a perfect night at the plate going 3-3 and one hit shy of the cycle. Former Cincinnati Red Sean Casey also drove in a run on a single in the fifth inning for the Tigers.

With the series moving to St. Louis from Detroit, both teams look for some momentum for the lead in the series. Game 4 is Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. and can be seen on FOX 19.