The mark of a true champion is being able to overcome adversity. Sunday, the Cardinals showed why they’ve been atop the National League the last three years. St. Louis, playing without Albert Pujols and with an injured Jim Edmonds, beat the Cubs 9-6.
Manager Tony LaRussa was contemplating whether to place Edmonds on the disabled list all series. Good thing he waited because it turned out he would need Edmonds more than ever. Baseball’s home run and RBI leader Pujols, injured his right side in Saturday’s game chasing a foul ball. Turns out, he strained a muscle on that play and was put on the 15-day DL. Edmonds took Pujols’ position at first base while Scott Rolen took his spot in the batting order. Both came up with big games for the Cardinals.
Edmonds went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Rolen picked up where Pujols left off driving in three runs against Cubs starter Greg Maddux.
Cardinals starter Jason Marquis won his eighth game of the year. He overcame some struggles giving up five runs in as many innings but still managed to grab a share of the major league lead in wins.
Five relievers combined to hold the Cubs to one run in four innings after they roughed up Marquis. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 18th save of the season.
St. Louis opened the game with three runs in the first to take a 3-1 lead. Chicago erupted with four runs in the third. Three runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth put the Cardinals up 9-5.
The Cardinals avoided a three-game sweep which would’ve been the second time this year against the Cubs. The redbirds lost their first series at Busch this year.
