Down to their last out for seven straight hitters in the ninth inning, the Cardinals plucked a 5-4 victory deep from the jaws of abject defeat Monday night at Busch Stadium.
The victims were the Cincinnati Reds and their bullpen, sketchy most of the season but good lately. The Reds, who jumped to a 4-0 lead after three innings against Michael Wacha, still had that lead and matters appeared to be well in control with two out and Yadier Molina at second in the ninth.
In steady succession, however, Tommy Pham walked, pinch hitter Kolten Wong was hit by a pitch, Matt Carpenter singled in two runs and Stephen Piscotty knocked in another, his 100th as a big leaguer, with a single.