Cardinals edge Pirates in 10th
ST. LOUIS — Batting just .204, Brendan Ryan is unaccustomed to being the center of attention after a game-winning hit. Finally, it was his turn to end a long night.
Ryan's broken-bat infield hit in the 10th inning drove in the game's lone run and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 Friday night in a game delayed 2 hours and 20 minutes by rain before the first pitch.
It was Ryan's first game-winning hit since Sept. 19, 2009, at Chicago.
"I love getting (beat up) after the game, that's a great feeling," Ryan said. "I love those kidney shots, so it's nice to receive them for a change."
Chris Carpenter allowed five hits over eight innings for the Cardinals, who have won eight of nine at home and regained first place in the NL Central by a half-game over Cincinnati. St. Louis is 35-16 at home and rebounded after a 2-5 trip, ending an 18-inning scoreless slump in the 10th for their first extra-inning shutout victory since Mark Mulder blanked the Astros 1-0 in 10 innings in 2005.
Ryan Ludwick opened the 10th with a double off Javier Lopez (2-2), his first pinch-hit in nine at-bats this season, and advanced on a sacrifice. The infield was in for Ryan's grounder and second baseman Neil Walker knocked it down with a lunge to his left but then bobbled the ball as Ludwick, who had hesitated, sprinted for home.
Carpenter struck out Jose Tabata and Walker to wrap up a dominant outing for the Cardinals, scattering five hits and allowing only two runners in scoring position. Carpenter is 11-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 15 career starts against the Pirates and has worked eight innings all three home starts since the All-Star break, allowing only two runs.
The last 10 Pirates went down in order, with Ryan Franklin (6-1) getting the last four outs.
"One guy doesn't lose it and one guy doesn't win it," Pirates catcher Erik Kratz said. "You've got to play the whole nine."
The Cardinals stranded three runners in scoring position and had two players caught stealing against Pirates starter Jeff Karstens, who scattered seven hits in six innings.
Pirates reliever Evan Meek allowed a walk in two innings, lowering his ERA to 1.23.
