Carlos Beltran was injured robbing David Ortiz of a grand slam. (Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports)
Finally in the World Series after 16 seasons in the major leagues, Carlos Beltran lasted just two innings in his Fall Classic debut Wednesday.
The St. Louis Cardinals right fielder hit the bullpen wall while taking a grand slam away from Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz in the second inning, and Beltran left the game the next inning due to a right ribcage contusion.
Beltran ran into the low wall while bracing himself and reaching into the Cardinals’ bullpen to catch Ortiz’s ball. Instead of a grand slam, Ortiz settled for a sacrifice fly that increased the Red Sox’s lead to 5-0.
In his only at-bat of the game, Beltran struck out.
Upon Beltran’s exit, center fielder Shane Robinson moved to right, and Jon Jay entered the game in center field.
Beltran is 10-for-40 (.250) with two homers and 12 RBIs through 12 games this postseason. He batted .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in the regular season.
