The Cardinals struck first in Game 1 of the National League division series at Busch Stadium Friday night.
Matt Holliday singled up the middle to score Stephen Piscotty, who provided the first hit of the game with a ground-rule double, and the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead over the Cubs in the bottom of the first.
For the first time in 52 innings, the Cubs, winners of nine straight, are behind.
The Budweiser Clydesdales trotted. The fans in red waved their white towels. Former Cardinal Reggie Sanders, who had 10 RBIs in the 2005 NLDS, fired a celebratory first pitch.