Thanks to a rain delay of nearly two and a half hours, it took until 12:13 this morning for the Cardinals to score a run in the bottom of the 10th, and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0. The run was the first scored by the Redbirds in 18 innings.
A broken bat infield single off of the bat of Brendan Ryan would be the game winner scoring Ryan Ludiwck, who had doubled to lead off the inning. He would move over to third thanks to a bunt from Yadier Molina.
Chris Carpenter would throw eight scoreless innings for the Cardinals. He would give up just hits while striking out six. Ryan Franklin, who came in the game in the ninth, would pick up his sixth win of the season.
The win, combined with a loss by the Reds, puts the Cardinals back into first place in the National League Central. St. Louis leads Cincinnati by a half game.
With the nonwaiver trade deadline looming at midnight, it does not appear the Cardinals will be making any moves. Several sources are saying they do have interest in Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook and Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook.
Before tonight’s game, the Cardinals will honor former manager and Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog by retiring his number 24. This will be the 11th number that has been retired by St. Louis.
Jeff Suppan, still looking for his first win of the season, will get the start for the Cardinals. The Pirates will send Daniel McCutcheon to the mound.
First pitch is 6:15
