Cardinals Recap: Brandon Moss delivers game-winning blow

Newcomer Brandon Moss delivered a game-winning single to lift the St. Louis Cardinals past the Colorado Rockies, 3-2, in Sunday’s series finale.

With runners on the corners and one out in the ninth, the pinch-hitter Moss singled to left against Scott Oberg, scoring Jason Heyward and sending Busch Stadium into a stage of delirium.

St. Louis (67-38) struggled most of the afternoon against Colorado starter Johan Flande, who allowed just a pair of earned runs on four hits in his five innings of work. Meanwhile, opposite the Rockies starter, Jaime Garcia was lights-out.

The Cardinals southpaw was touched for just two hits and one run in five innings of work in his return from injury. He struck out four, but also walked just as many batters – something he will no-doubt look to improve upon moving forward.

More from Redbird Rants

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Reflecting on the 2013 Cardinals’ top 30 prospects

With no score in the bottom of the fifth, young outfielder Randal Grichuk took Flande deep, putting the Cardinals up 2-0 on the strength of his 12th home run of the season.

Colorado (44-59) answered back in their next at-bat when Ben Paulsen doubled to right, scoring DJ LeMahieu and cutting the St. Louis lead down to one run. A wild pitch by Steve Cishek allowed the Rockies to score a second run in the frame, tying the game at two apiece.

The score remained tied until Moss delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth, allowing the Cardinals to maintain their sizable lead in the division on a day when both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs won.

What’s Next:

St. Louis will open a series on the road against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at Great American Ballpark.

Veteran John Lackey (9-6, 2.78) will toe the slab for the Cardinals, while Anthony DeSclafani (6-7, 3.75) takes the ball for the Reds.

First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. CT.

Next: A look at a revamped Cardinals' top prospect list