The night a 'nervous' Wainwright froze Beltran – our original coverage October 19, 2022 by St. Louis Post-Dispatch On August 19, 2006, Cardinals rookie closer Adam Wainwright struck out New York Mets slugger Carlos Beltran with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and secured a 3-1 victory that clinched St. Louis’ 17th National League pennant.