Talk about redemption for Joe Thurston. In Saturday’s loss, Reds’ closer Francisco Cordero walked Thurston who tried to steal, but was caught. Cordero got the final two out to save a 4-2 win. This time, Thurston would walk, but use it speed in other ways to pull out a Cardinals’ win.
Up 7-5 heading into the 9 th innings, Ryan Franklin suffered his first blown save of the season as the Reds battled back and forth with the Cardinals all afternoon on Sunday. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Micah Owings hit solo home runs to bring the Reds back.
In the top of the 10 th , Cordero walked Thurston who stayed put at first until Colby Rasmus could drive him home with a double. The Cardinals called on Blaine Boyer to get the save, but was lifted with two outs and runners on second and third. Chris Perez got Paul Janish to pop out to Albert Pujols to end the game.
Again, not an impressive start for Adam Wainwright. His record is 3-1, but just hasn’t pitched well. He gave up two of the Reds five home runs while giving up four runs on seven hits and one walk in six innings. The Cardinals were up 3-1 when Wainwright gave up a two run homer to Jay Bruce and then a solo shot in the fourth to fall behind 4-3.
St. Louis tied the game in the fifth on an Albert Pujols home run, then went up in the 7 th by two when Reds starter Edison Volquez walked Pujols and Ryan Ludwick with two outs. Daniel Ray Herrera gave up a RBI single to Chris Duncan, then reliever Jared Burton gave up another single to Yadier Molina.
With the extra inning win, the Cardinals remain two games up on Milwaukee. St. Louis has Monday off before playing at Pittsburgh.