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Matheny takes a chance, Cards take 9-2 lead

In a move that looks risky, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny lifted starting pitcher Mike Leake after six innings in which he struck out 11 batters, choosing to hand the game over to the bullpen for the final nine outs. The move did net the Cardinals three runs as pinch hitter Matt Adams doubled to the wall in center to drive in two and Aledmys Diaz followed with a triple to give them a 6-1 lead after six. Back-to-back home runs by Randal Grichuk and Jedd Gyorko extended the lead to 9-2.

Leake had thrown just 88 pitches through six innings and was one strikeout away from his career high.