Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Juan Pierre beat out an infield hit in the
bottom of the 11th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies escaped with an 8-7
victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of a three-game series at
Citizens Bank Park.
Facing Barret Browning (0-2), Erik Kratz, who sent the game into extra frames
with a game-tying three-run homer in the eighth, doubled in the left-center
field gap to start the rally.
Kratz was erased on a fielder's choice by Jimmy Rollins, but Rollins was able
to move to second on a groundout by pinch-hitter Brian Schneider before
stealing third.
Pierre then ripped one deep in the hole at shortstop, where Rafael Furcal
backhanded the ball nicely, but slipped a little as he fired to Allen Craig at
first. The speedy Pierre beat the play by a step, allowing Rollins to
score the winning run.
Jeremy Horst (1-0) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief behind
starter Vance Worley, who allowed four runs on nine hits with four strikeouts
and two walks over 5 1/3 innings.
The Sports Network