It didn't take long for the Rangers to touch up Edwin Jackson.
After Ian Kinsler grounded out to Rafael Furcal to open up the bottom half of the first inning, Elvis Andrus lined a single into left field. Josh Hamilton then drove a hanging changeup on a 1-2 count into the right field corner for a double, scoring Andrus and giving the Rangers an early 1-0 lead.
Michael Young followed up Hamilton's double with a four pitch walk. Adrian Beltre followed the walk with a strike out, and then Nelson Cruz walked to load the bases for David Murphy, who flew out to left field, stranding the bases loaded.
Jackson has been miserable in his last two postseason starts, so jumping on Jackson early will likely resonate in Tony La Russa's mind. Jackson is sure to have a short leash after he failed to escape the fifth inning in either of his last two starts.
Regardless, the Rangers lead the Cardinals 1-0 after the first inning of play.