8th Inning Rally sparks Cardinals victory

A 4-run rally in the 8th inning led to a 5-3 St. Louis Cardinals victory over the Kansas City Royals.
May 29, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Daniel Descalso (33) celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina (4) after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. St. Louis defeated Kansas City 5-3. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Until the rally, it did not look so great for the Cardinals. Royals starter Luis Mendoza had only allowed 6 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, and struck out 5 batters through 5.2 innings. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they didn’t do much of anything while Mendoza was pitching. The only damage that was done was a solo home run by Matt Holliday that led off the sixth inning.

Once the Royals sent in reliever Aaron Crow, everything changed. It took three pitches before the rally started. It was the third 95 m.p.h. fastball to Carlos Beltran that found its way past the right field wall for solo home run.

Following a strikeout by Holliday, both Allen Craig and Yadier Molina hit singles. Following a coaching visit to the mound, David Freese singled to left, driving Craig home, and advanced to second on the throw.

Jon Jay was intentionally walked to load the bases before Pete Kozma struck out looking.

Daniel Descalso, pinch-hitting for pitcher Randy Choate, took a 95 m.p.h. fastball to center field for a 2-run single that scored Molina and Freese.

For the Cardinals pitching, Choate picked up his first decision since July 24, 2011, a span of 103 appearances. He was only in the game for the final batter of the 8th inning!

Lance Lynn started the game for the Cardinals. He went 7 innings, and allowed 8 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.

Seth Maness pitched 0.2 innings in the 8th. He allowed 2 hits, 1 run, and struck out 1 batter.

Edward Mujica pitched a perfect 9th inning for his 17th consecutive save this season.