GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: ST LOUIS (69-74) at CINCINNATI (66-79)

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: D Weathers relieved J Burton.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: ST LOUIS 3
CINCINNATI 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: A Pujols (.318, 0-FOR-1, 2 RBI)</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Coats in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: ST LOUIS 3
CINCINNATI 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: A Pujols (.318, 0-FOR-1, 2 RBI)</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL AT CINCINNATI - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY JIM EDMONDS SCORED ALBERT PUJOLS.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J EDMONDS ON FIRST, 0 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: ST LOUIS 4
CINCINNATI 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: R LUDWICK (.253, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ST LOUIS 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 4 6 1
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 x 5 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: STL - KIP WELLS, ANDY CAVAZOS (5TH), BRAD THOMPSON (6TH), RUSS
SPRINGER (8TH) AND KELLY STINNETT, YADIER MOLINA (7TH)

CIN - AARON HARANG, JARED BURTON (8TH), DAVID WEATHERS
(9TH) AND DAVID ROSS

HOME RUNS: STL - NONE

CIN - DAVID ROSS (16) OFF KIP WELLS IN THE 5TH, 1 ON</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
ST LOUIS 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 4 6 1
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 x 5 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: STL - KIP WELLS, ANDY CAVAZOS (5TH), BRAD THOMPSON (6TH), RUSS
SPRINGER (8TH) AND KELLY STINNETT, YADIER MOLINA (7TH)

CIN - AARON HARANG, JARED BURTON (8TH), DAVID WEATHERS
(9TH) AND DAVID ROSS


WP - AARON HARANG (15-4)
LP - KIP WELLS (6-17)
SAVE - DAVID WEATHERS (30)

HOME RUNS: STL - NONE

CIN - DAVID ROSS (16) OFF KIP WELLS IN THE 5TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:40 ATT: 18,018

PROBABLES: CIN - TOM SHEARN (2-0, 4.19)
MIL - BEN SHEETS (12-4, 3.54)

PROBABLES: CHN - CARLOS ZAMBRANO (15-12, 4.26)
STL - ADAM WAINWRIGHT (13-10, 3.75)</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">ST LOUIS (4) VS CINCINNATI (5) - FINAL

ST LOUIS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D Eckstein ss 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 .299
M Cairo 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .150
R Springer p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
A Pujols 1b 2 1 1 2 0 0 1 .319
J Edmonds cf 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 .249
R Ludwick lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .252
S Schumaker rf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .306
Y Molina c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .278
K Stinnett c 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .185
b-R Ankiel ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .295
K Wells p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
A Cavazos p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-R Branyan ph 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .191
B Thompson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .150
c-A Miles ph-2b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .301
B Ryan 2b-3b 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .324

Totals 28 4 6 4 2 5 6

a-walked for A Cavazos in the 6th; b-struck out swinging for K Stinnett in the
7th; c-lined out to right for B Thompson in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - D Eckstein (18, A Harang); B Ryan (7, A Harang); A Pujols (32, D
Weathers). S - M Cairo. SF - A Pujols 2, D Eckstein. RBI - A Pujols 2 (91), D
Eckstein (29), J Edmonds (45). Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: CS - M Cairo (1, 2nd base by A Harang/D Ross).

FIELDING: E - J Edmonds (5, bobble). DP: 3 (B Ryan-D Eckstein-A Pujols 2, M
Cairo-B Ryan-A Pujols).


CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 5 0 4 0 0 0 0 .333
J Keppinger ss 3 0 0 1 1 0 4 .335
K Griffey Jr rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .283
B Phillips 2b 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 .290
A Dunn lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .265
D Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
E Encarnacion 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .286
J Votto 1b 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 .455
D Ross c 2 2 1 2 2 0 0 .202
A Harang p 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .104
J Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-B Coats ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 31 5 11 5 6 2 17

a-lined out to left for J Burton in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - B Phillips (25, K Wells); J Votto (3, K Wells). HR - D Ross (16,
5th inning off K Wells 1 on, 1 Out). SF - J Keppinger. RBI - J Keppinger (26),
J Votto 2 (8), D Ross 2 (36). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A
Harang 1, K Griffey Jr 1, B Phillips 1, E Encarnacion 2. GIDP - K Griffey Jr, J
Keppinger, A Dunn. Team LOB - 9.


----------------------------------------------------
ST LOUIS - 100 002 001 -- 4
CINCINNATI - 000 140 00x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Wells (L, 6-17) 4 2/3 10 5 5 6 2 1 5.77
A Cavazos 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.15
B Thompson 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.05
R Springer 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.30

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
A Harang (W, 15-4) 7 3 3 3 2 5 0 3.65
J Burton (H, 8) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.54
D Weathers (S, 30) 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.47

IBB - E Encarnacion (by K Wells). Pitches-strikes: K Wells 104-55; A Cavazos
4-2; B Thompson 13-11; R Springer 12-8; A Harang 89-61; J Burton 13-11; D
Weathers 17-10. Ground balls-fly balls: K Wells 6-6; A Cavazos 1-0; B Thompson
5-1; R Springer 0-3; A Harang 4-11; J Burton 1-2; D Weathers 0-3. Batters
faced: K Wells 28; A Cavazos 1; B Thompson 6; R Springer 3; A Harang 25; J
Burton 4; D Weathers 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Joe West. 1B--Ed Rapuano. 2B--Ed Hickox. 3B--C.B. Bucknor.

T--2:40. Att--18,018.
Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 2 mph, in
from left.</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
ST LOUIS 4
CINCINNATI 5 FINAL</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ST LOUIS (4) AT CINCINNATI (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ST LOUIS 1ST: D Eckstein doubled to left. M Cairo sacrificed to pitcher,
D Eckstein to third. A Pujols hit sacrifice fly to center, D Eckstein scored.
J Edmonds struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 4TH: J Votto singled to center. D Ross walked, J Votto to
second. A Harang bunted into fielder's choice to first, J Votto out at third,
D Ross to second. N Hopper singled to center, D Ross to third, A Harang to
second. J Keppinger hit sacrifice fly to right, D Ross scored. K Griffey Jr
grounded into fielder's choice to first, N Hopper out at second. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 1.

CINCINNATI 5TH: B Phillips doubled to left. A Dunn flied out to left.
E Encarnacion intentionally walked. J Votto doubled to deep right center,
B Phillips and E Encarnacion scored. D Ross homered to left, J Votto scored.
A Harang struck out swinging. N Hopper reached on infield single to shortstop.
A Cavazos relieved K Wells. J Keppinger grounded out to second. (4 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 6TH: R Branyan hit for A Cavazos. R Branyan walked. B Ryan
doubled to left, R Branyan to third. D Eckstein hit sacrifice fly to right,
R Branyan scored, B Ryan to third. M Cairo walked. A Pujols hit sacrifice
fly to right, B Ryan scored. M Cairo caught stealing second, catcher to
shortstop. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 9TH: D Weathers relieved J Burton. B Coats in left field. A Pujols
doubled to deep center. J Edmonds singled to left, A Pujols scored. R Ludwick
flied out to left. Y Molina flied out to center. R Ankiel flied out to right.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 4, CINCINNATI 5.</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at CINCINNATI

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ST LOUIS (4) AT CINCINNATI (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St Louis Starting Lineups -- D Eckstein SS, M Cairo 3B, A Pujols 1B, J Edmonds CF,
R Ludwick LF, S Schumaker RF, K Stinnett C, B Ryan 2B, K Wells RHP.

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- N Hopper CF, J Keppinger SS, K Griffey Jr RF,
B Phillips 2B, A Dunn LF, E Encarnacion 3B, J Votto 1B, D Ross C, A Harang RHP.

Umpires -- Joe West (HP), Ed Rapuano (1B), Ed Hickox (2B), C.B. Bucknor (3B).


Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from left at 2 mph.


ST LOUIS 1ST: D Eckstein doubled to left. M Cairo sacrificed to pitcher,
D Eckstein to third. A Pujols hit sacrifice fly to center, D Eckstein scored.
J Edmonds struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 1ST: N Hopper singled to right. J Keppinger walked, N Hopper to
second. K Griffey Jr grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first,
J Keppinger out at second, N Hopper to third. B Phillips struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

ST LOUIS 2ND: R Ludwick flied out to left. S Schumaker flied out to left.
K Stinnett grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 2ND: A Dunn popped out to second. E Encarnacion flied out to
center. J Votto singled to center, J Votto to second on error by center
fielder J Edmonds. D Ross walked. A Harang popped out to second. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 1 Error) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

ST LOUIS 3RD: K Wells lined out to shortstop. B Ryan flied out to center.
D Eckstein grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 3RD: N Hopper singled to center. J Keppinger grounded into
double play, third to second to first, N Hopper out at second. K Griffey Jr
singled to left center. B Phillips walked, K Griffey Jr to second. A Dunn
walked, K Griffey Jr to third, B Phillips to second. E Encarnacion popped out
to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 0.

ST LOUIS 4TH: M Cairo grounded out to shortstop. A Pujols flied out to
right. J Edmonds fouled out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1,
CINCINNATI 0.

CINCINNATI 4TH: J Votto singled to center. D Ross walked, J Votto to
second. A Harang bunted into fielder's choice to first, J Votto out at third,
D Ross to second. N Hopper singled to center, D Ross to third, A Harang to
second. J Keppinger hit sacrifice fly to right, D Ross scored. K Griffey Jr
grounded into fielder's choice to first, N Hopper out at second. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 1.

ST LOUIS 5TH: R Ludwick struck out swinging. S Schumaker struck out
swinging. K Stinnett struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 1.

CINCINNATI 5TH: B Phillips doubled to left. A Dunn flied out to left.
E Encarnacion intentionally walked. J Votto doubled to deep right center,
B Phillips and E Encarnacion scored. D Ross homered to left, J Votto scored.
A Harang struck out swinging. N Hopper reached on infield single to shortstop.
A Cavazos relieved K Wells. J Keppinger grounded out to second. (4 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 6TH: R Branyan hit for A Cavazos. R Branyan walked. B Ryan
doubled to left, R Branyan to third. D Eckstein hit sacrifice fly to right,
R Branyan scored, B Ryan to third. M Cairo walked. A Pujols hit sacrifice
fly to right, B Ryan scored. M Cairo caught stealing second, catcher to
shortstop.(2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

CINCINNATI 6TH: B Thompson relieved A Cavazos. K Griffey Jr grounded out to
first. B Phillips singled to center. A Dunn grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, B Phillips out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 7TH: J Edmonds flied out to left. R Ludwick fouled out to first.
S Schumaker singled to left. R Ankiel hit for K Stinnett. R Ankiel struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

CINCINNATI 7TH: Y Molina catching. R Ankiel in right field. E Encarnacion
flied out to center. J Votto grounded out to shortstop. D Ross grounded out
to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 8TH: J Burton relieved A Harang. A Miles hit for B Thompson.
A Miles lined out to right. B Ryan grounded out to first. D Eckstein singled
to right. M Cairo flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3,
CINCINNATI 5.

CINCINNATI 8TH: R Springer relieved B Thompson. A Miles at second base.
B Ryan at third base. B Coats hit for J Burton. B Coats lined out to left.
N Hopper flied out to right. J Keppinger flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, CINCINNATI 5.

ST LOUIS 9TH: D Weathers relieved J Burton. B Coats in left field. A Pujols
doubled to deep center. J Edmonds singled to left, A Pujols scored. R Ludwick
flied out to left. Y Molina flied out to center. R Ankiel flied out to right.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 4, CINCINNATI 5.</div>

 

Ross, Reds sweep struggling Cardinals

<h3>CINCINNATI 5, ST LOUIS 4</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals won't have toworry about defending their World Series championship if theydon't defend their National League Central Division crown.

David Ross hit a two-run home run to highlight a four-run fifthinning and Aaron Harang pitched seven strong innings as theCincinnati Reds defeated the Cardinals, 5-4, on Thursday to earna three-game series sweep.


The Cardinals (69-75) have lost a season-high seven straightgames and their postseason hopes are gradually slipping away.With 18 games remaining, St. Louis finds itself 4 1/2 gamesbehind both Milwaukee (74-71) and the Chicago Cubs (74-71) inthe NL Central. The Brewers are idle Thursday and the Cubs playat Houston later.


Winning the division is the Cardinals' only realistic chance ofmaking the postseason as they trail the wild card-leading SanDiego Padres (78-66) by nine games.


The Cardinals were done in by a rough fifth inning that sawstarter Kip Wells (6-17) allow four of his five earned runs.

Joey Votto's one-out, two-run double gave the Reds their firstlead of the game at 3-1 and Ross followed with his 16th home runof the season to provide a four-run cushion.


Wells, who was lifted after allowing a two-out single to NorrisHopper later in the frame, allowed 10 hits and six walks whilestriking out two in 4 2/3 innings.


Hopper finished with four hits and Votto had three hits and arun scored in addition to his key double.


Harang (15-4) fared much better as he allowed three runs,scattered three hits, walked two and struck out five. Therighthander improved to 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in three startsagainst the Cardinals this season. David Weathers pitched theninth for his 30th save, though it was one of his more eventfuloutings.


With the Cardinals trailing 5-3, Albert Pujols led off the ninthwith a double off and came home moments later on Jim Edmondssingle. Ryan Ludwick gave the Reds a scare when he followedwith a drive to deep left, but left fielder Buck Coats caughtthe ball on the warning track.


Weathers got Yadier Molina to popout for the second out of theinning and ended the game by getting Rick Ankiel to flyout toright.


Pujols finished with a pair of RBI for the Cardinals, who wereswept here for the first time since May 5-8, 2003.

 

Ross, Reds sweep struggling Cardinals

<h3>CINCINNATI 5, ST LOUIS 4</h3>CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals won't have toworry about defending their World Series championship if theydon't defend their National League Central Division crown.

David Ross hit a two-run home run to highlight a four-run fifthinning and Aaron Harang pitched seven strong innings as theCincinnati Reds defeated the Cardinals, 5-4, on Thursday to earna three-game series sweep.


The Cardinals (69-75) have lost a season-high seven straightgames and their postseason hopes are gradually slipping away.With 18 games remaining, St. Louis finds itself 4 1/2 gamesbehind both Milwaukee (74-71) and the Chicago Cubs (74-71) inthe NL Central. The Brewers are idle Thursday and the Cubs playat Houston later.


"We're not scoring runs and we're not keeping the other teamfrom scoring runs. It's pretty obvious," St. Louis centerfielder Jim Edmonds said. "As far as why we're not coming outand playing better, I don't know.


"We're a little flat, things aren't going our way, and we're notplaying good baseball. All those add up to losses. It'sreally no different than it was at the beginning of the year.It's just a bad time for it right now."


Winning the division is the Cardinals' only realistic chance ofmaking the postseason as they trail the wild card-leading SanDiego Padres (78-66) by nine games.


"I don't derive any pleasure in knocking anyone out of the racebut it's nice to win against a good team," Reds interim managerPete Mackanin said. "It's nice to bounce back after they sweptus in St. Louis (August 31-September 2)."


The Cardinals were done in by a rough fifth inning that sawstarter Kip Wells (6-17) allow four of his five earned runs.

Joey Votto's one-out, two-run double gave the Reds their firstlead of the game at 3-1 and Ross followed with his 16th home runof the season to provide a four-run cushion.


Sidelined recently due to a concussion, Ross had not homeredsince July 23 - a span of 52 at-bats.


"The time off has given me time to work on my swing to behonest," Ross said. "I was falling forward. I was able tofigure some things out and worked at staying back and loadingup. It's been a long time."


Wells, who was lifted after allowing a two-out single to NorrisHopper later in the frame, allowed 10 hits and six walks whilestriking out two in 4 2/3 innings.


"Several times I gave up a hit and walked the next guy," Wellssaid. "That kind of ate at me in the fifth inning. I mademistakes. I got too much of the plate with that Votto guy and Ileft a fastball up to Ross."


Hopper finished with four hits and Votto had three hits and arun scored in addition to his key double.


"I'm seeing the ball pretty well," Votto said. "I'm learningsomething new everyday. I watch how they pitch the guys in themiddle of the order. When I hit (the double), I had a good ideait wouldn't be caught but with Edmonds out there you neverknow."


Harang (15-4) fared much better as he allowed three runs,scattered three hits, walked two and struck out five.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but I made pitches at key times,"Harang said. "I concentrated on keeping the ball down."

The righthander improved to 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in three startsagainst the Cardinals this season.


"Facing a team that much, maybe it's an advantage not to haveyour best stuff," said Harang, who went 2-1 in four startsagainst St. Louis in 2006. "It keeps them off balance. Maybethey're geared up for your best stuff."


David Weathers pitched the ninth for his 30th save, though itwas one of his more eventful outings.


With the Cardinals trailing 5-3, Albert Pujols led off the ninthwith a double off and came home moments later on Jim Edmondssingle. Ryan Ludwick gave the Reds a scare when he followedwith a drive to deep left, but left fielder Buck Coats caughtthe ball on the warning track.


Weathers got Yadier Molina to popout for the second out of theinning and ended the game by getting Rick Ankiel to flyout toright.


"Only thing I remember now is eighth and ninth, because I liketo focus on positives," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said."We hit the ball hard in those innings. We gave ourselves agreat chance to come back at the end of a tough game, a toughroad trip (0-7). That tells me all I need to know about ourclub."


Pujols finished with a pair of RBI for the Cardinals, who wereswept here for the first time since May 5-8, 2003.

St. Louis, winless in its last nine road games, limps back toBusch Stadium for a critical three-game series with the Cubsthis weekend.