The Cardinals rallied for runs in the 9 th and 11 th innings and finally beat the Dodgers 3-2 on a RBI hit from Albert Pujols in a game that lasted over five hours Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
In the 15 th , Brendan Ryan led off with a triple. Jason LaRue popped out and Julio Lugo walked. Mark DeRosa had the opportunity to be the one of many heroes but grounded into a fielder’s choice with Ryan being gunned down at home. With two outs, Pujols singled home Lugo from second for the game winner.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Ludwick singled with two outs off Dodger closer Jonathan Broxton, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ludwick scored on Colby Rasmus’ single.
In the 11 th , after the Dodgers scored on two singles and a sac fly off Ryan Franklin, the Cardinals battled back to tie the game. DeRosa singled and went to third on a one out single from Matt Holliday. On the first pitch, Ludwick singled in DeRosa to tie the game once again, but he and Holliday were stranded.
What will be forgotten is the great starting pitching from both teams. Joel Pineiro went eight innings allowing the one run on six hits while striking out seven and just walking two. He was in line for another tough luck loss. L.A.’s Clayton Kershaw was even better tossing eight shutout innings allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Tony LaRussa used six relievers including Blake Hawksworth who won’t forget his first win. He threw three innings of scorless relief to pick up his first win. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three.
The Cardinals have taken three straight from the Dodgers and stay ½ game ahead of Chicago.
