St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller receives a standing ovation after giving up his first hit in the sixth inning. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The Cardinals pitching staff, backed by top prospect Shelby Miller who made his first major league start, held the Cincinnati Reds to three hits as the Cardinals scratched out a 1-0 win. That along with a Washington win, gives the Nationals the best record in the NL and home field advantage as long as they are alive in the playoffs.
Miller pitched six innings allowing one hit and two walks while striking out seven. He matched Reds starter Homer Bailey who was coming off a no-hitter. Bailey pitched five innings and was taken out of the game. Miller didn’t give up his first hit until the sixth inning, a bloop single to Wilson Valdez.
In the eighth the Cardinals got an infield hit off Jonathan Broxton from Shane Robinson. He moved to second on Skip Schumaker’s walk and scored on Matt Carpenter’s single for the only run of the game.
Jason Motte pitched the ninth for his 42nd save.
The Cardinals now travel to Atlanta for a one game Wild Card playoff against the Braves on Friday with the first pitch set for 4:07 p.m.
