Hours after David Freese ‘s home run plunked down on the grass patch beyond the center field wall, long after the ballpark emptied, a message still burned bright on the scoreboard: “See you TOMORROW NIGHT for Game 7 of the World Series!”

Whatever happens, whether the St. Louis Cardinals or Texas Rangers win, they’ll have a hard time topping Thursday night.

“You had to be here to believe it,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

In one of the greatest thrillers in baseball history, the Cardinals twice rallied when they were down to their last strike of the season. First, Freese saved them with a two-run triple in the ninth, then Lance Berkman delivered a tying single in the 10th.

And when Freese led off the bottom of the 11th with his shot to beat Texas 10-9 and stomped on the plate, this Game 6 had already been stamped forever.

“Turned out to be one for the ages,” said Daniel Descalso , who keyed a Cardinals comeback.

A Series that was dismissed by many around the country before it began for lacking glamour teams suddenly has turned into must-see TV. And fans can savor the prospect of the first World Series to reach Game 7 since 2002, when the Angels beat the Giants.

After it was over, La Russa wasn’t willing to announce his starter – many believe it will be ace Chris Carpenter on three days’ rest for only the second time in his career.

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Cards outlast Rangers 10-9 in Game 6