Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 5-4 lead over the Cincinnati Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals looked ready to secure a victory that would have come on an Albert Pujols two-run home run in the top of the eighth. But Zach Cozart and Brandon Phillips of the Reds had something to say about the matter. Cozart singled in between the first two outs of the inning. Facing Fernando Salas, Brandon Phillips smashed a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for the 6-5 victory.
Reds Vs. Cardinals: Brandon Phillips Walk-Off Home Run Starts Cincinnati’s 2nd Half Off With A Bang
The Reds led 2-0 for the first six innings on two Chris Heisey home runs, a leadoff shot in the bottom of the first inning and another in the fifth. Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook gave up both gopher balls and departed after the fifth inning.
The Cardinals, though, struck back in the sixth, manufacturing three runs on two ground-outs and a single. Reds starter Johnny Cueto took the hook for those three runs when he started the inning with back-to-back singles by Pujols and Matt Holliday and a walk to Lance Berkman.
That lead was short-lived, however, as Cozart had an RBI infield single and Joey Votto an RBI automatic double in the bottom of the inning for a 4-3 advantage. That set the stage for the Pujols homer and Phillips' walk-off homer.
For more on the Reds, visit Red Reporter, and check out Viva El Birdos for Cardinals coverage.
See More:
