St. Louis, MO – Matt Carpenter drove in the game-winning run with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game set at Busch Stadium.
After loading the bases in the ninth but failing to score, St. Louis loaded the bags again in the 10th when David Freese led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Yadier Molina. Jon Jay was then intentionally walked and Daniel Descalso also drew a walk.
Facing Bill Bray, Carpenter battled the Reds hurler to a full count before lifting the seventh pitch of the at-bat to right field. Jay Bruce made the catch, but Tyler Greene beat the throw home to win it for the Cardinals.
Jason Motte (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless top of the 10th, while Sam LeCure (0-1) was charged with the deciding run.
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