CHICAGO • Whatever the Cardinals gained in the standings and Matt Carpenter seized by rescuing them from catastrophe, their elation was limited late Thursday night by the reason Carpenter was in the game to win the game at all.
A midgame substitute for injured infielder Kolten Wong, Carpenter came up in the 10th inning shortly after the Cardinals and closer Carlos Martinez had a three-run lead pickpocketed in the bottom of the ninth. Carpenter drilled the first pitch he saw to regain the lead and send the Cardinals to a 5-4 victory at Wrigley Field, their first win at the Confines this season.