With their 16th final at-bat win of the season, the Cardinals moved to within two games of the Giants in the Wild Card race. The Mets, victorious in 13 innings Saturday, pulled into a tie with San Francisco for the first Wild Card.
The Giants' bullpen troubles cost starter Jeff Samardzija what would have been his first victory over the Cardinals since 2014. He allowed a first-inning home run to Brandon Moss, but otherwise held the Cardinals scoreless over the rest of his 6 2/3-inning outing.
Cardinals starter Mike Leake, back at AT&T Park for the first time since he pitched for San Francisco, squandered his early lead when Brandon Belt picked up his ninth RBI in his last nine games by doubling home Hunter Pence in the second.