Royals 5 - 3 Cardinals
Final/15
  for this game

Royals, Cardinals conclude 1-70 Series at Busch

Jun 17, 2012 - 11:09 AM

Video

(Sports Network) - Matt Holliday was mired in an 0-for-12 slump going into Saturday's contest, but he ended that tough stretch in dominating fashion. The St. Louis slugger had four hits and five RBI in a crazy 10-7 Cardinals win over the Royals, with today's rubber match of the weekend series looming.

Holliday's efforts put the Cardinals in position to not only win the series, but also close out a nine-game homestand on a positive note despite a 4-4 mark.

Adam Wainwright, who threw seven strong innings in a 6-1 loss to the White Sox on Tuesday, takes the ball for the Cardinals. The righty has allowed just one home run over his last eight starts and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six games (3 starts) when facing the Royals.

Luis Mendoza will face St. Louis for the first time in the series finale. This will be the righty's 12th appearance and seventh start of 2012. The 28-year old native of Mexico allowed just one hit over six-plus innings in a no- decision against the Brewers on Tuesday. Mendoza had a no-hitter until Ryan Braun legged out an infield hit to start the seventh.

Yadier Molina added a two-run homer and drove in four yesterday for the Cardinals, who have won three of four. They blew a 6-1 lead before rallying.

After St. Louis had a triple play overturned in the first inning, it scored six consecutive runs to take a five-run lead after two innings. However, Kansas City scored the game's next six runs to grab the lead in the top of the seventh.

Following the Royals' three-run seventh, St. Louis scored three runs in the home half, aided by Holliday's game-tying single and Molina's eventual game- winning two-run single with two outs in the inning.

The rally made a winner of Mitchell Boggs (1-1), who threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and a loser of Tim Collins (4-1).

"In those middle innings we had a tough time scoring, but we scored early and scored late," Holliday said.

Mike Moustakas homered, had three hits and tied a career-high with four RBI for the Royals, who had won their previous four games.

"I was really proud of our offense today the way they just stayed after it," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "Battled back, got the lead and then from the seventh inning on, we really struggled to command the ball."

St. Louis won four of six from the Royals last season.






Related News