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Rockies beat Cardinals; spoil St. Louis' clincher
2009-09-26
DENVER - The St. Louis Cardinals haven't had a good stay in Denver so far. Muzi.com News 10093763-1 (muzi.com)They arrived in town on Thursday and, with the night off, gathered around the hotel bar hoping to watch the San Francisco Giants do them a favor and eliminate the Chicago Cubs, thus handing St. Louis the NL Central title. Muzi.com News 10093763-2 (muzi.com) They watched in disappointment, but the champagne had been shipped to Coors Field for a celebration in the clubhouse anyway. Muzi.com News 10093763-3 (muzi.com) The corks are still in. Muzi.com News 10093763-4 (muzi.com) St. Louis lost 2-1 to the NL wild card-leading Colorado Rockies on Friday night on Yorvit Torrealba's sacrifice fly in the ninth, and the Cardinals retreated to their clubhouse to watch the late game on the West Coast. Muzi.com News 10093763-5 (muzi.com) They somberly filed out of the stadium when the Cubs put the finishing touches on a 3-0 win over the Giants, and workers starting putting the champagne bottles back in the boxes. Muzi.com News 10093763-6 (muzi.com) "I'm not going to shower until we clinch this," shortstop Brendan Ryan declared. "Well, maybe for another day." Muzi.com News 10093763-7 (muzi.com) The Cardinals' magic number has been stuck at one since they lost to Houston on Wednesday with a chance to become the second team to secure a playoff spot after the New York Yankees. Muzi.com News 10093763-8 (muzi.com) "It was weird sitting here hoping we'd win," outfielder Colby Rasmus said. "We didn't win the game. That's would have been a weird way to celebrate." Muzi.com News 10093763-9 (muzi.com) The Cardinals will try to clinch their first playoff spot since winning the 2006 World Series on Saturday. They'll send Adam Wainwright (18-8) against Ubaldo Jimenez (14-11) at night, but could clinch beforehand because the Cubs and Giants play a day game. Muzi.com News 10093763-10 (muzi.com) They're tired of waiting for others to do them any favors. Muzi.com News 10093763-11 (muzi.com) "We don't want someone else winning this for us or have to depend on someone else," Ryan said. "We want to win this ourselves. Maybe, (Saturday) is our day." Muzi.com News 10093763-12 (muzi.com) The Rockies maintained their 3 1/2-game lead over Atlanta in the NL wild-card race after putting a damper on slugger Matt Holliday's homecoming. Muzi.com News 10093763-13 (muzi.com) After holding Holliday to a 1-for-4 performance in which he stranded five runners, the Rockies sent the meat of their lineup to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. With runners at the corners and one out, Torrealba lofted a ball to right, and Ryan Ludwick's throw home was nowhere close. Muzi.com News 10093763-14 (muzi.com) "This is a big-game player. This is a big-moment player," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said of Torrealba. "He lives for it." Muzi.com News 10093763-15 (muzi.com) Huston Street (4-1), one of the players Holliday was traded for last winter, picked up the win with a scoreless ninth, and Trevor Miller (4-1) took the loss. Muzi.com News 10093763-16 (muzi.com) Aaron Cook threw five scoreless innings in his first start since Aug. 21, when shoulder soreness forced him out of a game against San Francisco. Chris Carpenter gave up one run on five hits in seven innings for St. Louis. Muzi.com News 10093763-17 (muzi.com) Braves 4, Nationals 1 Muzi.com News 10093763-18 (muzi.com) At Washington, Javier Vazquez allowed a run and three hits in his third complete game of the season, enabling the Braves to keep their playoff hopes alive. Muzi.com News 10093763-19 (muzi.com) Vazquez (15-9) allowed a leadoff home run to Josh Bard in the eighth inning, but still won his fifth straight. He's 10-2 since July 7. Muzi.com News 10093763-20 (muzi.com) John Lannan (9-13) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings for the Nationals. Muzi.com News 10093763-21 (muzi.com) Pirates 3, Dodgers 1 Muzi.com News 10093763-22 (muzi.com) At Pittsburgh, Brandon Moss' two-run single gave Pittsburgh an early lead, and five pitchers combined to beat Los Angeles. Muzi.com News 10093763-23 (muzi.com) Right-hander Jon Garland (11-12) lost for the first time in four decisions since being traded to the Dodgers, giving up three runs and six hits in six innings. Muzi.com News 10093763-24 (muzi.com) Donnie Veal (1-0) pitched with two shutout innings of relief for his first career win. Muzi.com News 10093763-25 (muzi.com) Mets 6, Marlins 5 Muzi.com News 10093763-26 (muzi.com) At Miami, pinch-hitter Cory Sullivan delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in the ninth, dumping the Marlins five games behind NL wild-card leader Colorado. Muzi.com News 10093763-27 (muzi.com) Closer Leo Nunez (4-6) yielded singles to Daniel Murphy and Jeff Francoeur before pinch hitter Jeremy Reed walked to load the bases with no outs. Sullivan then drilled Nunez's 0-1 pitch into left field, scoring Murphy and Francoeur. Muzi.com News 10093763-28 (muzi.com) Bobby Parnell (4-8) pitched a perfect eighth for the win and Francisco Rodriguez worked around pinch-hitter Ross Gload's one-out single for his 34th save in 40 opportunities. Muzi.com News 10093763-29 (muzi.com) Brewers 8, Phillies 4 Muzi.com News 10093763-30 (muzi.com) At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit his 43rd homer and drove in four runs to become the major league leader for RBIs. Muzi.com News 10093763-31 (muzi.com) Mike Cameron also hit a three-run homer off Phillies starter Cliff Lee (7-3), who gave up nine hits in six innings, while Manny Parra (11-10) gave up four hits in seven innings. Muzi.com News 10093763-32 (muzi.com) Reds 10, Astros 4 Muzi.com News 10093763-33 (muzi.com) At Houston, Joey Votto drove in four runs with a homer and a double, Jay Bruce also had a homer and a double, and Cincinnati won its fifth straight. Muzi.com News 10093763-34 (muzi.com) Matt Maloney (2-4) won his second straight after opening his major league career with four straight losses. He went a career-high seven innings and allowed two runs and six hits. Muzi.com News 10093763-35 (muzi.com) Brian Moehler (8-11) lasted 2 1-3 innings and allowed seven runs and eight hits. Muzi.com News 10093763-36 (muzi.com) Padres 4, Diamondbacks 0 Muzi.com News 10093763-37 (muzi.com) At Phoenix, Kevin Correia tossed a six-hitter for his first career shutout. Muzi.com News 10093763-38 (muzi.com) Correia (12-10) struck out seven and walked one, yielding no extra-base hits. Muzi.com News 10093763-39 (muzi.com)
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