Matt Carpenter went into Game 3 thinking he was coming off the bench, but instead he played hero and had his family there to support him.
His parents woke up at 2:30 a.m. to get to St. Louis from Texas for game time.
Now that is love and sacrifice.
Little did they know they were going to witness their son hitting, what proved to be, the game-winning home run off San Francisco Giant ace Matt Cain.
The homer drove Jon Jay, who had kept the inning alive with a two out single, which allowed Carpenter to step up and hit the home run.
He had just filled in for an injured Carlos Beltran and when you fill in for a player who has 14 career postseason blasts, you might as well hit one if you're replacing him.
After the game, Carpenter said it was a very special moment both himself and his father.
His father Rick Carpenter played college baseball and is a popular coach. He moved to Lawrence E. Elkins High School, where, according to MLB.com, he built a great baseball program. He has also coached players like James Loney and Kip Wells.
His mother Tammie also had some baseball in her background as she played softball.
So Matt Carpenter has baseball running in his blood.
The only thing Rick Carpenter regrets doing, he told Erin Andrews, a FOX reporter, is not shaving.
The family said they were driving back to their home in Texas, but following that three hour and 28 minute rain delay, chances are Matt might have to book them a hotel nearby.
The Cardinals have a 2-1 lead in the series and have Adam Wainwright on the mound for Game 4.
