Chris Carpenter was in line for the win after Brendan Ryan’s solo home run in the fifth, but Ryan Franklin allowed the Cubs to tie it in the ninth, only to have the Cardinals come right back in the bottom of the ninth to win 2-1 and reduce the magic number down to four.
Carpenter and Cubs’ starter Ryan Dempster each tossed eight innings with the only run coming from Ryan. With Franklin on to close the game, the Cubs tied the game after getting two hits and sac fly.
In the bottom of the ninth off Cubs’ closer Carlos Marmol, Ryan Ludwick singled to lead off the inning. Former Cub, Mark DeRosa bunted into a force out at second, but advanced to third on Yadier Molina’s single and then scored the game winner on Ryan’s single.