ST. LOUIS — Even the replacement for the best postseason slugger in history came out swinging in the playoffs. Filling in for an injured Carlos Beltran, rookie Matt Carpenter lined a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning of Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday afternoon. Carpenter's homer came with two outs and gave St. Louis a one-run lead against San Francisco Giants right-hander Matt Cain. Beltran left the game after his at-bat in the first inning. The club announced he has a strained left knee and is day to day. Of course, Beltran's absence seemed like a big deal at the time — and would might be — but Carpenter filled in ably for one monster of a playoff performer.