CINCINNATI • As the Cardinals steamed toward another routine victory at Great American Ball Park, right down to the standard-issue home run and three RBIs from Cincy’s favorite villain Yadier Molina, the manager had a surprise left for the ninth inning. The plot twisted.
With the first save opportunity since $14 million reliever and advertised closer Greg Holland arrived, signed and sealed, the Cardinals instead asked Bud Norris to deliver.
The righthander earned his second save of the season, striking out three Reds and securing a 5-3 victory Friday night. Norris admitted that he wasn’t sure he would be used in the ninth until the call came, and once he left, the bullpen went still.