In the battle for Missouri, the road team has taken each of the first three games. After dropping two games at home, the Saint Louis Cardinals went to Kansas City, where they were finally able to defeat the Royals 5-2 in 11 innings.
Cardinal leadoff hitter and third baseman Matt Carpenter provided an exceptional offensive performance, going 5-for-5, amassing two RBI, scoring two runs and drawing one walk.
“I’m just trying to do my part; you know get on base for the guys behind me, just try to have quality at-bats,” he said after the game on MLB.com. “Things are falling into place for me, and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Carpenter drove in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, which was part of a three-run inning. He came around to score later in the frame on a two-run single by first baseman and cleanup hitter Allen Craig.
Saint Louis got on the board first on an RBI base hit off the bat of Carpenter in the second. The Cardinals added to their lead in the seventh when designated hitter Matt Holliday grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Carpenter.
The Royals did not get push any runs across until the ninth inning, when they tied the game and forced extra innings. After first baseman Eric Hosmer struck out swinging but reached first base safely on wild pitch, designated hitter Billy Butler singled and left fielder Alex Gordon walked to load the bases.
Catcher Salvador Perez grounded into a fielder’s choice and drove in the first Kansas City run of the night. Right fielder Lorenzo Cain followed this up with an RBI base hit to center field to knot the game at two. With runners on first and second, third baseman Mike Moustakas and shortstop Alcides Escobar got out, sending the game to extra innings, according to ESPN.
Cardinal starter Adam Wainwright pitched eight innings, giving up four hits, and was charged with the two Royal runs. He struck out eight and got a no decision.
Royal starter Jason Vargas also went eight innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, and earned a no decision.
The Royals and Cardinals will play the final game of the four-game set Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.