Paquette Homers, Cards Hang On

The Cardinals held on to beat the Giants, and take an 8 game lead into the all-star break. The Cards raced to an 8-2 lead, before the Giants scored five runs in the 8th to trim the lead to 8-7. Jeff Kent had the key blow with a three-run, pinch-hit double off closer Dave Veres. But Veres shut down San Francisco in the 9th, and the Cards won it 8-7. Craig Paquette’s two run homer in the 7th was the difference. Ray Lankford and Fernando Tatis also homered for St. Louis. Pat Hentgen, pitching on three days rest, pitched five shutout innings for the win.Mark McGwire didn’t play in the weekend series and he will skip the all star game with a knee injury. Edgar Renteria has been added to the all-star roster, and he joins teammates Jim Edmonds and Darryl Kile for tomorrow’s game in Atlanta.