Dunston Homer Gives Cards Ten Game Lead

Shawon Dunston launched a pinch-hit home run in the 8th, lifting Pat Hentgen and the Cardinals to a 4-3 win and a ten game lead over Cincinnati. Hentgen allowed just one run over the first six innings and had a 3-1 lead. He got the first two outs of the seventh on two pitches, but suddenly allowed a double to Dante Bichette and a home run by Sean Casey to tie the game at 3. Dunston pinch hit for Hentgen in the bottom of the 7th homered to give Hentgen the victory. Hentgen allowed five hits and no walks in seven innings. J.D. Drew also homered for the Cardinals, who now lead Cincinnati by ten games. It’s the first time the Cards have had a ten game lead since September of 1968. They will try to make it eleven when they host the Reds again tonight.Center fielder Jim Edmonds and pitcher Darryl Kile have been added to the National League all-star team by Braves manager Bobby Cox. Edmonds is hitting .342 with 24 homers, and Kile is 11-5.