“Health-wise, it is what it is, I’m tired of talking about it,’’ he said. “I’m going to hurt until the season is over. You know, it’s a non-issue as far as talking about, so stop asking me, please.’’
When a reporter pressed, he said, “If I tell you, then the Cardinals might know how to pitch to me, so I’m not telling you.’’
Ian Kinsler ignited the rally with a bloop single to center to open the ninth off Cardinals closer Jason Motte. He then stole second base, beating a laser throw by catcher Yadier Molina.
“My hand barely got in there,’’ Kinsler said. “It took everything I had. Yadier made an unbelievable throw, quick and on the money, and I was just able to get my hand in there.’’
Elvis Andrus followed with a single, which sent Kinsler to third. Andrus alertly took second base when right fielder Skip Schumaker, who had just entered for Lance Berkman, threw home.
With Hamilton due up, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa took out his closer and brought in the lefty Rhodes. La Russa’s reasoning?
“From what I understand, Hamilton handles a fastball pretty well,’’ La Russa said. “And if [Kinsler] hadn’t taken second base, I probably would have left [Motte] in there. I thought the lefthander had a better chance. And he did good. He got an out. Hamilton just got in front of the ball and pulled it. That’s good hitting.’’
Did La Russa think about walking Hamilton to load the bases?
“No, not really,’’ he said. “You know, load the bases, that’s a really difficult thing to do. I don’t think walking him there would have made it easier on us. It would have made it tougher.’’
La Russa then opted for righty Lance Lynn to face Young, who lifted Lynn’s sixth pitch to center for the go-ahead run.
Neftali Feliz secured the save in the bottom of the ninth.
Prior to that, it looked as if Allen Craig was going to be the hero for the second straight night.
