Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Felipe Lopez hit a two-out solo home run in the 11th inning to give the Cardinals a 4-3 win, avoiding a three-game sweep at the hands of the rival Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Cardinals-Cubs, In Progress: Cards Try To Avoid Sweep In Friendly Confines
Albert Pujols also deposited a solo home run while Skip Schumaker went 4-for-4 and drove in a run. Brendan Ryan added two hits and an RBI as St. Louis halted a three-game skid.
Ryan Franklin (5-1) hurled two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Dennys Reyes came on for Kyle McClellan in the bottom of the 11th to strike out Kosuke Fukudome and strand the tying run at second. It earned Reyes his fourth career save.
Ryan Theriot and Marlon Byrd each had two hits and a run driven in for Chicago, which nonetheless claimed its first series win against a division foe since sweeping Milwaukee from April 23-25, a string of 10 series.
The Cubs had ample opportunity to pull off a home sweep of their division rival for the first time since July 2006, but went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Included was an 0-for-10 performance in their final 10 chances with runners aboard.
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