Scott Rolen provided the offense and Jeff Weaver brought the pitching during the Cardinals 2-1 win over the Reds, Thursday.
It was a pitcher’s duel most of the way. Both teams traded runs in the seventh inning after going scoreless through six. Cardinals starter Jeff Weaver left the game with one out in the eighth. The crowd at Busch Stadium was so impressed with his effort they decided to give him a standing ovation. Weaver allowed just one run on three hits, but received a no decision. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth to get the win.
Kyle Lohse was just as dominant on the hill for Cincinnati. Lohse surrendered a run on five hits in seven innings. Ryan Franklin took the loss in relief.
Franklin retired the side in the eighth, but the ninth got him trouble. He started off the inning by giving up a single to Chris Duncan and walking Albert Pujols. Up comes Rolen, who smacked a single to right field. The throw home by Ryan Freel was off the mark and Duncan scored easily. Rolen put the Cardinals on the board earlier in the game with his 17th homer of the year.
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 561st career homer, bringing him to within two of Reggie Jackson on the all-time list.
St. Louis increased their division lead to 2.5 games over the second place Reds.
