ST. LOUIS - David Freese crushed a home run to center in the 11th inning to cap an incredible comeback that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10-9 win on Thursday and forced a decisive Game Seven in the World Series.

The never-say-die Cardinals, who trailed the best-of-seven series 3-2, scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the elimination game to extra innings and two more in the 10th to stay alive before Freese led off the 11th with 429-foot blast to end the titanic, four-hour 33-minute battle.

The entire Cardinals team met Freese at home plate to celebrate the most amazing World Series finish in recent memory as the frenzied crowd at Busch Stadium roared in delight.

"Man that was incredible," said Freese, who also tied the game with two outs in the ninth with a two-run triple that got over the head of rightfielder Nelson Cruz. "I was glad I had a chance. We fought back."

"That's character of this team ... we're not going anywhere. We will fight to the end."

The tumultuous last innings, raised and shattered hopes twice for the Rangers, who were on the brink of claiming the first World Series crown of their 51 years of existence.

Game Seven will be played in St. Louis on Friday. — Reuters