Cards Salvage Finale in Detroit

Facing the prospect of a sweep at the hands of one of the American League’s worst teams, the Cardinals got solid pitching and some familiar power to beat the Tigers, 7-3. Pat Hentgen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, before allowing three Tiger runs. Hentgen’s teammates staked him to a big lead with seven runs in the first two innings. Mark McGwire hit his 22nd homer in the first inning. Jim Edmonds launched a three-run shot, his 18th, in the second. Hentgen allowed just four hits and three runs, all in the seventh inning. The Cards lost two out of three to the Tigers, but remain a game and a half ahead of the Reds, who also dropped two of three over the weekend. Tonight the Cards play in San Diego. Andy Benes will start for St. Louis against Rodrigo Lopez.