Albert Pujols hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 13th inning, Lars Nootbaar added a two-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals twice used five-man infields to stop the Cincinnati Reds and pull out a 5-3 win on Wednesday night.
Pujols drove in automatic runner Paul Goldschmidt with one out. Nootbaar went deep two batters later.
The Cardinals went to five infielders with one out in the 12th and Tommy Edman threw out Austin Romine trying to score on helping Andre Pallante (6-4) get the win. Pallante worked the final three innings to climb to 6-4.
After taking Thursday off, LHP Jordan Montgomery (7-3, 3.28 ERA) will be Friday’s scheduled starter against the Cubs at Busch Stadium.
Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh 6-1 to maintain a 6 game lead for St. Louis.