Even blown leads aren’t enough to keep the Cardinals from a victory these days. St. Louis gave up a three-run lead in the ninth, but battled back to beat the Dodgers 6-5, to win their ninth straight game. The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead in the second inning with John Mabry’s two run homer. In the third, the Cards added another run when Jim Edmonds doubled to right, scoring Tony Womack. Hector Luna’s bases loaded, two-run single in the fifth inning gave the Cardinals a 5-2 lead. But Jason Isringhausen allowed four hits and three runs in the top of the ninth inning and Los Angeles tied the game at five apiece. Jose Hernandez hit a two-run double to lock the score. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 11th, when Luna led off with a first-pitch triple and Reggie Sanders came off the bench to drive him home with a single. Ray King got the win in relief as St. Louis moved 17 ½ games in front of the Cubs. Chicago didn’t play their weekend series in Florida because of Hurricane Frances… Larry Walker left yesterday’s game with pain in his right knee. An MRI showed nothing more than a deep bruise and he may play tonight in San Diego.
