St. Louis Cardinals Win World Series Game 6: Game of the Year Highlights

In what I consider the 2011 MLB Game of the Year, the Cardinals came out on top in a game featuring dominant pitching on both sides early, multiple comebacks, extra innings and a walk-off home run. St. Louis lost the lead on five separate occasions in this one, always fighting their way back.

It was certainly one to remember, going late into the night but losing no one's attention. Quoting Albert Pujols After the game, he said "This is what baseball is all about."

Here are the top five moments from late in this game that made it an instant classic.

No. 5: Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz Back-to-Back Home Runs

After the Texas Rangers started off the seventh inning with Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz hitting back-to-back homers in a low scoring game up to that point, it looked like the Cardinals' chances were fading. 

Shortly after this, Ian Kinsler singled in another run, seemingly putting the icing on the cake for Texas. Many spectators likely only continued watching so they could see the celebration.

No. 4: David Freese's Triple on the Game's Last Strike

In easily the biggest at bat of his career up to that point, hometown-hero David Freese, down to his last strike in the bottom of the ninth tied up the game with a triple scoring Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman, who reached base on a double and a walk.

No. 3: Josh Hamilton's Two-Run Homer in the Top of the 10th

After Elvis Andrus singled a ground ball to center field off Jason Motte, Josh Hamilton came up to bat and took the very first pitch for his first postseason home run to give Texas a two-run lead in the top of the 10th inning.

No. 2: Lance Berkman Ties the Game on Another Last-Chance At Bat

Once Ryan Theriot grounded out, scoring Daniel Descalso, the Texas Rangers chose to walk Albert Pujols. This brought up Berkman for one last chance, which he took all the way to his last strike before hitting a line-drive single, scoring Jon Jay.

No. 1: David Freese Walk-off Homer

If batting in two runs to tied the game in the bottom of the 9th wasn't enough, Freese came up to bat in the 11th inning took the at-bat all the way to full count then sent the ball deep for the walk-off to center field. I don't think a more exciting finish could have been scripted for this St. Louis team.

Will the Cardinals ride this momentum into a Game 7 Win?