ST. LOUIS -- The 01 Arizona Diamondbacks were standing tall. In fact 6-10 tall with a rested Randy Johnson toeing the rubber. The 85 Cardinals had survived one play-in game with the 84 Padres. None of their top 3 hurlers were available. They started the forgettable Kurt Kepshire with the bullpen ready to scramble any healthy arm at a moment's notice. Arizona hit Kepshire with 2 quick runs in the opening frame, sending 8 to the plate with two singles and 3 walks. Matt Williams fanned with the bases loaded or it could have been lights out right there. Aw, but this is baseball. Vince Coleman tripled to open the B1 off Johnson and the fleet Redbirds were off and running. When the dust cleared after a couple knocks, an HBP and a passed ball, St. Louis had a 3-2 lead after 1. Both clubs went 3-up, 3-down in the 2nd with the "Big Unit" blowing away all 3 Cardinals batters he faced. In the T3, Arizona made their bid to put the game away. Luis Gonzalez (8) led off with a solo shot to tie it. One out later, Reggie Sanders singled. St. Loo brought in Rickey Horton, but Damian Miller (3 hits) singled and Junior Spivey doubled home both runners. He went to third on a PB and scored on a Williams ground out. It was now 6-3 Arizona, but it would be the last runs the Diamondbacks would get against the combination of Horton (2-1), Todd Worrell, Ken Dayley, Bob Forsch and Jeff Lahti (6). Johnson retired the side in order again in the B3. In the 4th, he fanned the first two batters, then inexplicably walked the next 3. A wild pitch sent Lonnie Smith in from 3rd. Coleman plated 2 with a base hit. He then stole second and scored on Ozzie Smith's single. The Cards led 7-6. That's the way the game would finish.
The Cardinals now head to Cincinnati to take on the 90 Reds in the official start to the playoffs. The NL Wild Card game will be the third straight 1-game, do-or-die contest for the Redbirds.
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