Not that the Cardinals or anyone who roots for the team would want to ever lose to the Cubs, but if they had to, perhaps they’re glad it was Michael Barrett who beat them. Barrett blasted a grand slam out of Wrigley Field in the eighth inning to give Chicago an 8-4 win. Barrett learned on Saturday night that the recent tornadoes sent a tree through his house.
After Ricardo Rincon led off the eighth inning by walking Todd Walker on four pitches, Jason Isringhausen was sent to the mound and threw eight-straight balls to load the bases for Barrett.
Scott Rolen blasted his second home run of the season with a two-run shot in the first inning to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Jacque Jones put Chicago on top with a three-run homer off Sidney Ponson, who was making his first start of the season. In the fifth, Albert Pujols gave St. Louis the lead again with a two-run single off Sean Marshall to score So Taguchi and Hector Luna.
Ponson lasted five innings and allowed seven hits, no walks and struck out one.
The Cardinals will open the new Busch Stadium on Monday with a 3:05 start against the Brewers.