The St. Louis Cardinals rallied from a first inning deficit of 3-1 thanks to a big five run inning that saw three home runs hit in an 8-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday evening at Busch Stadium.
Down 4-3, Albert Pujols hit a two run homer off Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick. After Colby Rasmus grounded out, Allen Craig and Skip Schumaker went back to back to make it a 7-4 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Randy Winn led off the inning with a solo homer against reliever Chad Durbin. That made it four homers in the span of six batters.
Blake Hawksworth got through a rough first inning where he allowed three runs on five hits needing 32 pitches to get out of the first. After that, he only gave up five more over the next five innings. He came out after six innings and it was Winn who was pinch hitting for Hawksworth when he homered.
The Cardinals are now 11 games over .500 with a 52-41 record, and remain 1/2 game up on Cincinnati. The Reds received tough news when they learned All-star third basemen Scott Rolen had to receive a cortisone shot in his right hamstring. It is possible Rolen could land on the DL.
More to come.