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Spiezio keeps Cards in division title hunt
2006-09-30
St. Louis Cardinals Scott Spiezio swings through his eighth inning 3 RBI pinch hit triple against Milwaukee Brewers Francisco Cordero during their baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Spiezio's triple scored Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Juan Encarnacion and became the game winning hit in the Cardinals 3-2 victory over the Brewers. |
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Scott Spiezio's three-run triple in the eighth inning gave the Cardinals a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and no worse than a tie in the National League Central Division. It was the third win in four games following a seven-game slide by St. Louis (83-77), which reduced its magic number for clinching its third straight division crown to one. Another win by the Cardinals or loss by the Houston Astros - who play at Atlanta later Saturday - sends St. Louis to the Major League Baseball playoffs. For seven innings, the Cardinals looked like they were continuing the collapse that had seen them squander most of an 8 1/2-game lead with 12 to play. They were unable to solve Ben Sheets, wasting a handful of opportunities and a strong effort by starter Jeff Suppan. Albert Pujols was the prime culprit. The MVP candidate homered in Friday's win but left a pair of runners in both the third and fifth innings before a huge gaffe on the bases in the eighth. The slugger opened the inning with a single and went to third on Scott Rolen's one-out double off Jose Capellan. Brian Shouse (1-3) relieved and intentionally walked pinch hitter Juan Encarnacion to load the bases, bringing on Francisco Cordero. Former Brewer Ronnie Belliard hit a liner to right field that appeared to be a hit but was snared by Geoff Jenkins. Pujols had wandered down the line and was unable to tag up after the ball was caught. Spiezio came through, lining a shot into the right field corner that was momentarily bobbled by Jenkins as all three runners came around, giving St. Louis a 3-2 lead. The hit made a winner of Tyler Johnson (2-4), who pitched a hitless eighth. Muzi.com News
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