For seven innings Kerry Wood frustrated the Cardinals. Wood gave up four hits, four walks, no runs and struck out eleven batters. When he left, the Cardinals trailed the Cubs 2-0. The game took a dramatic turn in the eighth inning when St. Louis scored four runs off Antonio Alfonseca, Mark Guthrie, Kyle Farnsworth, Mike Remlinger and Joe Borowski and eventually won 4-2. Tino Martinez took advantage of a bases-loaded situation with a two-run single to tie it. Moments later, Farnsworth bounced a pitch that caromed off Damien Miller’s mask and scored Scott Rolen for the go-ahead run. Eduardo Perez hit a fielder’s choice to score Miguel Cairo for the final tally of the evening. Jason Isringhausen gave up a base hit, but worked his way out of the jam to earn his 15th save of the season. Steve Kline got the final out in the top of the eighth to get the win. Woody Williams, who hasn’t had a win since July 26th, got another no decision, despite allowing one run off five hits. St. Louis kept pace with Houston, who topped L.A. The Astros lead the Cardinals by one game while the Cubs dropped to third place and trail by a game and a half.
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