After losing eight straight games, the Cardinals will take a win any way they can get it, even if it is given to them. The Indians committed two errors in the ninth inning, allowing the Cards to score two runs and get a 5-4 win Wednesday.
Jhonny Peralta’s throwing error off a grounder from David Eckstein allowed the winning run to score.
The win didn’t have to be so dramatic for St. Louis. Starter Chris Carpenter pitched well enough through seven innings to give his team a 2-1 lead heading into the eighth. That’s when things got unnecessarily interesting. Relievers Randy Flores, Braden Looper, and Tyler Johnson each gave up a run with Looper recording the only out. The Indians had a 4-3 lead going into the final frame.
Reserve catcher Kelly Shoppach dropped a routine So Taguchi fly ball. Taguchi, hustling the whole way, made it to second base. Aaron Miles doubled to score Taguchi with one out. Peralta’s under threw first baseman Victor Martinez and the winning run scored.
Jason Isringhausen finished the eighth and ninth, giving up two hits and no runs to earn the win.
Scott Rolen homered for the Redbirds.
The Reds also won Wednesday, maintaining the 1.5 game deficit behind St. Louis in the National League Central.