"This is what we live for as competitors: the big games," said Wainwright. "I knew it would come down to the last day -- it always does."
Jedd Gyorko delivered the game-winning hit with his two-out, eighth-inning home run. It was his third home run in as many games and sealed the first 30-homer season by a Cardinal since 2012. The blast set the Cardinals up to claim their 22nd victory this season in games where they entered the eighth inning tied or trailing.
"We know we can always come back with the lineup we have and the ability to put runs on the board quickly," Gyorko said.