Cardinals walk it off against Braves to force winner-take-all Game 5
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![Game 4 Kolten Wong scores the winning run in the 10th inning on Yadier Molina's sacrifice fly.]()
1 of 194![Game 4 Yadier Molina celebrates his game-tying sacrifice fly in the 10th.]()
2 of 194![Game 4 Left fielder Marcell Ozuna can't catch a ball hit by Ronald Acuna Jr. in the ninth.]()
3 of 194![Game 4 Ronald Acuna Jr. celebrates after hitting a ground-rule double in the ninth.]()
4 of 194![Game 4 Yadier Molina celebrates after hitting a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.]()
5 of 194![Game 4 Paul Goldschmidt scores the tying run in the eighth inning.]()
6 of 194![Game 4 Dexter Fowler can't field a ball hit for a triple by Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. in the seventh.]()
7 of 194![Game 4 Ozzie Albies crosses home plate after hitting a two-run homer in the fifth.]()
8 of 194![Game 4 Ozzie Albies rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer.]()
9 of 194![Game 4 Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter are unable to catch a foul ball in the sixth inning.]()
10 of 194![Game 4 Marcell Ozuna celebrates his solo home run in the fourth inning against the Braves.]()
11 of 194![Game 4 Dakota Hudson pitches against the Braves.]()
12 of 194![Game 4 Marcell Ozuna celebrates his solo home run in the first inning.]()
13 of 194![Game 3 Willy Adames and Kevin Kiermaier celebrate after the final out.]()
14 of 194![Game 3 Oliver Drake pitches in the eighth inning.]()
15 of 194![Game 3 Ji-Man Choi and Willy Adames celebrate Adames' home run in the sixth inning.]()
16 of 194![Game 3 Austin Meadows slides in around the tag of Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos to score a run in the third.]()
17 of 194![Game 3 Willy Adames and Austin Meadows celebrate a third-inning run.]()
18 of 194![Game 3 Carlos Correa throws to first base for an out on a ball hit by Brandon Lowe.]()
19 of 194![Game 3 Ji-Man Choi rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third.]()
20 of 194![Game 3 Ji-Man Choi celebrates his home run in the third inning.]()
21 of 194![Game 3 Kevin Kiermaier celebrates his second-inning home run with Willy Adames.]()
22 of 194![Game 3 Zack Greinke reacts after Kevin Kiermaier's three-run homer in the second inning.]()
23 of 194![Game 3 Kevin Kiermaier watches his three-run homer in the second inning.]()
24 of 194![Game 3 Kevin Kiermaier watches his three-run homer in the second inning.]()
25 of 194![Game 3 Zack Greinke pitches in the first inning.]()
26 of 194![Game 3 Jose Altuve celebrates with Alex Bregman after his solo home run in the first.]()
27 of 194![Game 3 Jose Altuve hits a solo homer in the first inning.]()
28 of 194![Game 3 Houston's Yordan Alvarez reaches first after a throwing error by Tampa Bay's Yandy Diaz.]()
29 of 194![Game 3 Charlie Morton reacts after giving up a solo home run to Jose Altuve in the first.]()
30 of 194![Game 3 A view of Tropicana Field during the national anthem.]()
31 of 194![Game 3 Chris Taylor, Cody Bellinger and Enrique Hernandez celebrate after the final out.]()
32 of 194![Game 3 Kenley Jansen and Russell Martin celebrate after the final out.]()
33 of 194![Game 3 Russell Martin rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the ninth.]()
34 of 194![Game 3 Nationals reliever Hunter Strickland reacts after giving up a two-run homer in the ninth.]()
35 of 194![Game 3 Juan Soto reacts after striking out in the eighth.]()
36 of 194![Game 3 Juan Soto misses out on a double hit in the seventh inning.]()
37 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers lefty Adam Kolarek pitches in the eighth]()
38 of 194![Game 3 Howie Kendrick is tagged out between second and third base in the sixth inning.]()
39 of 194![Game 3 Justin Turner hits a three-run homer in the sixth.]()
40 of 194![Game 3 Justin Turner hits a three-run homer in the sixth.]()
41 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers players celebrate after scoring a run in the sixth.]()
42 of 194![Game 3 Nationals manager Dave Martinez removes Patrick Corbin in the sixth.]()
43 of 194![Game 3 The Dodgers dugout welcomes Cody Bellinger back after Russell Martin's two-run double in the sixth.]()
44 of 194![Game 3 Patrick Corbin reacts after the Dodgers took a 5-2 lead in the sixth.]()
45 of 194![Game 3 Chris Taylor scores a run in the sixth inning.]()
46 of 194![Game 3 Cody Bellinger advances to third on a single by pinch-hitter David Freese in the sixth.]()
47 of 194![Game 3 Michael A. Taylor slides safely into second base in the fifth inning.]()
48 of 194![Game 3 Max Muncy celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth.]()
49 of 194![Game 3 Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger celebrate Mauncy's solo homer in the fifth.]()
50 of 194![Game 3 Max Muncy connects on a solo homer in the fifth.]()
51 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux turns a double play in the fourth as Juan Soto Slides in.]()
52 of 194![Game 3 Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon throws to first in the fifth inning.]()
53 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) sits in the dugout.]()
54 of 194![October 6, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) throws out Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) in the third inning in game three of the 2019 NLDS playoff baseball series at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports]()
55 of 194![Game 3 Adam Eaton and Juan Soto celebrate Soto's two-run homer in the first.]()
56 of 194![Game 3 Juan Soto crosses home plate after hitting a home run in the first inning.]()
57 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu looks on after giving up a two-run homer in the first inning.]()
58 of 194![Game 3 Juan Soto rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning.]()
59 of 194![Game 3 Dodgers outfielder A.J. Pollock talks to umpire Ted Barrett after striking out to end the first inning.]()
60 of 194![Game 3 Nationals fans cheer before the start of the game.]()
61 of 194![Game 3 Dansby Swanson and Rafael Ortega celebrate after scoring the go-ahead runs in the ninth.]()
62 of 194![Game 3 The Braves dugout celebrates after taking the lead in the ninth.]()
63 of 194![Game 3 Dansby Swanson reacts after scoring in the ninth inning.]()
64 of 194![Game 3 Adam Duvall hits a two-run RBI single in the ninth to give Atlanta the lead.]()
65 of 194![Game 3 Dansby Swanson reacts after hitting a game-tying RBI double in the ninth.]()
66 of 194![Game 3 Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina walks up the line with Ronald Acuna Jr. after he was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning.]()
67 of 194![Game 3 Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson tags out Harrison Bader at third in the eighth inning.]()
68 of 194![Game 3 Braves reliever Darren O'Day pitches in the eighth.]()
69 of 194![Game 3 Adam Wainwright celebrates after a strikeout in the sixth inning.]()
70 of 194![Game 3 Adam Wainwright hugs catcher Yadier Molina as he comes out of the game in the eighth inning.]()
71 of 194![Game 3 Ozzie Albies throws to first base for an out in the fifth inning.]()
72 of 194![Game 3 An overall view of Busch Stadium.]()
73 of 194![Game 3 Marcell Ozuna slides to score a run in the second inning.]()
74 of 194![Game 3 Marcell Ozuna reacts after hitting a duoble in the second inning.]()
75 of 194![Game 3 Adam Wainwright throws a pitch in the first inning.]()
76 of 194![Game 3 Ozzie Smith throws out the first pitch at Busch Stadium.]()
77 of 194![Game 2 - Astros celebrate their 3-1 win over the Rays.]()
78 of 194![Game 2 - Rays third baseman Joey Wendle is forced out as Astros second baseman Jose Altuve throws to first base.]()
79 of 194![Game 2 - Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole walks off to a standing ovation in the eighth inning.]()
80 of 194![Game 2 - Astros third baseman Alex Bregman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run.]()
81 of 194![Game 2 - Astros third baseman Alex Bregman hits a solo home run in the fourth inning.]()
82 of 194![Game 2 - Fans try to catch the solo home run hit by Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.]()
83 of 194![Game 2 - Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws a pitch.]()
84 of 194![Game 2 - Astros' mascot Orbit streaks and leaps over a security guard.]()
85 of 194![Game 2 - Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell reacts after a pitch.]()
86 of 194![Game 2 - Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole follows through on a pitch,]()
87 of 194![Game 2 - Former Astros closer Billy Wagner throws out the first pitch.]()
88 of 194![Game 2 - The Astros stand on the field for the National Anthem.]()
89 of 194![Game 2 - Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, right fielder Aaron Judge (middle), and shortstop Didi Gregorius (right) celebrate after their 8-2 win.]()
90 of 194![Game 2 - Yankees fans bang on the padding in the 9th inning.]()
91 of 194![Game 2 - Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius hits a grand slam in the third inning.]()
92 of 194![Game 2 - Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey reacts after giving up a grand slam to Didi Gregorius.]()
93 of 194![Game 2 - The Yankees greet Didi Gregorius at home after his grand slam.]()
94 of 194![Game 2 - York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam.]()
95 of 194![Game 2 - Twins starting pitcher Randy Dobnak is relieved in the third inning.]()
96 of 194![Game 2 - Fans rise up to cheer on their Yankees.]()
97 of 194![Game 2 - Yankees DH Edwin Encarnacion hits an RBI single in the first inning.]()
98 of 194![Game 2 - Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco is hit by a pitch thrown by Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.]()
99 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals outfielders Juan Soto, Michael A. Taylor and Adam Eaton celebrate the 4-2 victory.]()
100 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals closer Daniel Hudson celebrates the 4-2 victory.]()
101 of 194![Game 2 - Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner hits a ground-rule double in the ninth inning.]()
102 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals' Max Scherzer strikes out the side in the eighth inning.]()
103 of 194![Game 2 - Dodgers' Max Muncy hits a solo home run in the seventh inning.]()
104 of 194![Game 2 - Dodgers reliever Dustin May throws a pitch in the seventh inning.]()
105 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon hits a single in the fifth inning.]()
106 of 194![Game 2 - Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers a pitch.]()
107 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals' Howie Kendrick (47) hits an RBI single in the first inning.]()
108 of 194![Game 2 - Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg thanks left fielder Juan Soto for making a catch.]()
109 of 194![Game 2 - Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after the Nationals load the bases in the first inning.]()
110 of 194![Game 2 - The umpire crew gathers before the game.]()
111 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius and left fielder Cameron Maybin celebrate after beating the Twins 10-4.]()
112 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius scores in the seventh inning.]()
113 of 194![Game 1 - Brett Gardner hits a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the Yankees a 7-4 lead.]()
114 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu hits a solo home run in the sixth inning.]()
115 of 194![Game 1 - Twins third baseman Miguel Sano touches home after a solo home run in the sixth inning.]()
116 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hits an two-run double in the fifth inning.]()
117 of 194![Game 1 - Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco hits an RBI single in the fifth inning.]()
118 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees DH Edwin Encarnacion delivers an RBI double in the third inning.]()
119 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge dives for the ball ...]()
120 of 194![Game 1 - ... and makes the catch ...]()
121 of 194![Game 1 - ... for the out.]()
122 of 194![Game 1 - Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run.]()
123 of 194![Game 1 - Twins third baseman Miguel Sano throws out Yankees left fielder Giancarlo Stanton.]()
124 of 194![Game 1 - Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco hits a solo home run in the first inning.]()
125 of 194![Game 1 - The Yankees stand for the national anthem.]()
126 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is introduced.]()
127 of 194![Game 1 - Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge waits for his turn during batting practice.]()
128 of 194![Game 2 Adam Duvall celebrates his pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh inning in the dugout.]()
129 of 194![Game 2 Adam Duvall celebrates his pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh inning.]()
130 of 194![Game 2 Kolten Wong throws to third base to pick off Nick Markakis to end the fourth.]()
131 of 194![Game 2 Nick Markakis rounds second base in the fourth inning.]()
132 of 194![Game 2 Ronald Acua Jr. fields a ball in center field in the fourth inning.]()
133 of 194![Game 2 Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman fields a throw in the second inning.]()
134 of 194![Game 2 Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies runs out an infield single in the first inning.]()
135 of 194![Game 2 St. Louis' Paul Goldschmidt reacts after striking out.]()
136 of 194![Game 2 Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson looks on during the second inning.]()
137 of 194![Game 2 Quavo throws out the first pitch before the game in Atlanta.]()
138 of 194![Game 1 Astros closer Roberto Osuna flips the ball to first base for an out in the ninth inning.]()
139 of 194![Game 1 Josh Reddick reacts after striking out in the bottom of the eighth.]()
140 of 194![Game 1 Joey Wendle scores a run in the eighth inning.]()
141 of 194![Game 1 Rays infielder Eric Sogard is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning.]()
142 of 194![Game 1 Austin Meadows reacts after hitting an RBI double in the eighth.]()
143 of 194![Game 1 Yordan Alvarez reacts after scoring on Yuli Gurriel's ground-rule double in the seventh.]()
144 of 194![Game 1 Alex Bregman rounds third to score in the seventh inning.]()
145 of 194![Game 1 Yordan Alvarez hits an RBI double in the seventh.]()
146 of 194![Game 1 Justin Verlander reacts after a strikeout to end the seventh inning.]()
147 of 194![Game 1 Houston's George Springer breaks his bat on a groundout in the sixth inning.]()
148 of 194![Game 1 Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe drops a fly ball hit by Yuli Gurriel in the fifth inning, allowing two runs to score.]()
149 of 194![Game 1 Jose Altuve, right, celebrates his fifth-inning homer with teammate Josh Reddick.]()
150 of 194![Game 1 Rays manager Kevin Cash removes starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow in the fifth.]()
151 of 194![Game 1 Astros second baseman Jose Altuve rounds the bases after his two-run homer in the fifth.]()
152 of 194![Game 1 Astros second baseman Jose Altuve connects on a two-run homer in the fifth.]()
153 of 194![Game 1 Tampa's Brandon Lowe dives back to first base on a pickoff attempt in the fifth.]()
154 of 194![Game 1 The ALDS logo on first base.]()
155 of 194![Game 1 Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier catches a fly ball in the fourth inning.]()
156 of 194![Game 1 George Springer steals second base as shortstop Willy Adames fields the throw in the third inning.]()
157 of 194![Game 1 Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe throws to first in the third inning, unable to get Michael Brantley on an infield single.]()
158 of 194![Game 1 Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel hits an infield single in the second inning.]()
159 of 194![Game 1 Astros right fielder Josh Reddick catches a fly ball in the second inning.]()
160 of 194![Game 1 Rays starter Tyler Glasnow throws a pitch in the first inning.]()
161 of 194![Game 1 Justin Verlander walks back to the dugout after a strikeout to end the first inning.]()
162 of 194![Game 1 Astros players are introduced prior to the game.]()
163 of 194![Game 1 Astros players look on from the dugout before the game.]()
164 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner and Enrique Hernandez celebrate after their 6-0 win.]()
165 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers rookie Gavin Lux rounds the bases after a solo home run in the eighth inning.]()
166 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson rounds the bases off a solo home run in the eighth inning.]()
167 of 194![Game 1 - Nationals relief pitcher Fernando Rodney reacts after allowing a two-run single by Max Muncy in the seventh inning.]()
168 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers right fielder Chris Taylor is tagged out by Nationals catcher Yan Gomes in the fifth inning.]()
169 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda follows through with a high leg kick.]()
170 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler is pumped in the first inning.]()
171 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers fans are ready.]()
172 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager follows through on a swing for a single in the fourth inning.]()
173 of 194![Game 1 - Dodgers part owner Billie Jean King (left) sits with former pitcher Sandy Koufax (bottom right) and part owner Magic Johnson.]()
174 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong and left fielder Marcell Ozuna celebrate their 7-6 win.]()
175 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong hits a two-run RBI double in the ninth inning.]()
176 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna is fired up after hitting a two-run RBI double in the ninth inning.]()
177 of 194![Game 1 - Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson makes a throw to first base.]()
178 of 194![Game 1 - Braves catcher Francisco Cervelli tags out Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong in the eighth inning.]()
179 of 194![Game 1 - Braves hitter Francisco Cervelli reacts after being called for a check swing.]()
180 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hits a home run in the eighth inning.]()
181 of 194![Game 1 - Braves left fielder Nick Markakis is unable to make a diving catch on a ball.]()
182 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader hits a single against in the fifth inning.]()
183 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas gives himself a cheer after hitting a ground rule double.]()
184 of 194![Game 1 - Braves left fielder Nick Markakis watches a ground rule double by Miles Mikolas land in the stands.]()
185 of 194![Game 1 - Braves catcher Brian McCann hits a double in the second inning.]()
186 of 194![Game 1 - Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. blows a bubble during his at bat.]()
187 of 194![Game 1 - Braves starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel throws a pitch.]()
188 of 194![Game 1 - Players stand for the national anthem.]()
189 of 194![Game 1 - Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is introduced before game.]()
190 of 194![Game 1 - Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna prepares for the game.]()
191 of 194![Game 1 - Former Braves player Chipper Jones throws out a ceremonial first pitch.]()
192 of 194![Game 1 - Foam fingers are put into cup holders in seats at SunTrust Park.]()
193 of 194![Game 1 - The NLDS logo is painted on the grass at SunTrust Park.]()
194 of 194
Yadier Molina came through not once, but twice for the St. Louis Cardinals
The Redbirds beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4Â in dramatic, walk-off fashion in the 10th inning to even the National League Division Series two-game apiece.Â
The victory sets up a winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday at SunTrust Park in Atlanta.Â
Molina hit the game-tying single in the eighth inning and drove in the winning run in the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly off Braves pitcher Julio Teheran.Â
Second baseman Kolten Wong led off the 10th inning with a ground-rule double off Tehren. After Paul Goldschmidt was intentionally walked, Wong advanced to third on Marcell Ozuna’s forceout. Then it was Molina time. The 37-year old hit a deep fly ball to left that scored Wong to end the game in walk-off fashion.
This time it was the Cardinals who got the last laugh in front of a frenzied home crowd at Busch Stadium, unlike in Game 4 when the Braves rallied for three runs in the ninth inning.
Here’s a look at how the game was won:
Turning point
In a game of inches, the Cardinals eeked out run with two outs in the eighth inning off reliever Shane Greene. The Cardinals tied game when Molina hit a flare over the glove of first baseman Freddie Freeman – who is 6-foot-4 — scoring Goldschmidt. Â
Man of the moment
Who else other than Yadier Molina, who came up clutch twice. Molina, the heart-and-soul of the Cardinals, hit a game-tying single in the eighth inning and won Game 4 with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
The rest is history.Â
Short rest
Braves manager Brian Snitker waited until Monday morning to announce their Game 4 starter. Snitker opted for Dallas Keuchel, who started on short rest.
“I know it’s a day short, but he didn’t have an extended, just a grueling outing in his first one either,” Snitker said. “So that’s why we feel really good about him going out there.”
The move almost backfired from the get-go. The Cardinals hit back-to-back homers off Keuchel in the first inning and added a third in the fourth inning. It was the 11th time Keuchel had allowed three homers in a game.
State of the series
The series shifts back to SunTrust Park in Atlanta for the winner-take-all Game 5 on Wednesday. The Cardinals are expected to start Game 2 starter Jack Flaherty, who was one of the majors’ best pitchers in the second half of the season. Flaherty earned the loss in Game 2 despite a solid start over seven innings. He had a microscopic 0.91 ERA over 15 second-half starts and put up a 2.25 ERA in two starts against the Braves, both of which came in May.
The Braves will turn to Mike Foltynewicz, who was brilliant opposite Flaherty in Game 2. Folty rediscovered his form upon his return from a minor league stint, going 6-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 10 starts since Aug. 5.
The winner will face the winner between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals in the NLCS.
Article source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/607540044/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Cardinals-walk-it-off-against-Braves-to-force-winnertakeall-Game/