The Cardinals rallied to score three runs in the 9 th inning with two outs, but Miguel Tejada hit a two run walk off homer in the bottom of the 9 th and the Astros beat the Cardinals 5-3.
Houston hit four home runs in the game. Two of those came off of starter Todd Wellemeyer who was cruising through six innings until he gave up back to back solo shots to Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee to start the 7 th . The Cardinals who were stymied by Houston starter Wandy Rodriquez’ off speed pitches were held to just three hits and six strike outs in 7.1 innings.
In the 9th, the Cards rallied against closer Jose Valverde. With two on and one out, Pujols flew out deep to the track, just missing a three run homer that would have tied the game. Then after watching two strikes, Glaus laid off a pitch, then with one ball and two strikes, grounded a single to left to score a run. Then Ryan Ludwick went deep to right center with Glaus just beating a throw home to tie the game at three. Valverde walked Duncan and Yadier Molina hit a ground up the middle that Tejada dove for and flipped from his glove to just get Duncan out at second on a force play to end the inning.
As I watched the replays it looked like Duncan actually got to the base before the ball, but his extended right leg slide about six inches over bag and his left knee, which was tucked under hit the base after the ball arrived. Had he got the front foot on the base, the Cards would have loaded the bases, but instead were out of the inning.
That’s when Tejada provided the heroics, after a lead off single to Carlos Lee, reliever Kyle McClellan gave up the walk off homer.
hit a two run double to tie the game. Miguel Tejada made a diving stop on a Molina grounder to get a force out and keep the game tied, when Tejada delivered his game winner off Kyle McClellan. Astros starter Wandy Rodriquez had a good curve ball striking out six and holding the Cardinals to just three hits in 7 and a third.
