Cardinals’ Braun Strikes Again; Pinch-Hit Single Beats Giants, 4-3

The St. Louis Cardinals no longer have Bruce Sutter, but a no-name bullpen and a solid bench have helped them to the best record in the National League.

Run-scoring singles by pinch-hitters Terry Pendleton and Steve Braun and Jeff Lahti’s flawless relief pitching Joaquin Andujar notch his 16th victory, a 4-3 decision over the San Francisco Giants.

Andujar, 16-4, became the winner when the Cardinals rallied for two runs in the eighth. Willie McGee walked with one out and went to third on Tito Landrum’s single, chasing starter Dave LaPoint, 4-9.

Reliever Scott Garrelts fired a called third strke past pinch-hitter Andy Van Slyke, but Pendleton and Braun delivered off the bench for the lead. Braun’s go-ahead blow came on a 3-0 count.

“I laid off a couple of low pitches to get to 3-0, so I worked hard for it,” Braun said. “In that sutuation I certainly wasn’t expecting a slider. He threw me a good fastball to hit.”

Lahti retired the only six batters he faced for a team-leading 10 saves, giving the Cardinals a total of 24 saves from six pitchers.

“Lahti gave up 18 hits in his first 10 innings this season, but he’s done a hell of a job since then,” noted Manager Whitey Herzog. Lahti, in fact, has yielded but one hit and no runs in his last 12 appearances, earning six saves and a win.

Andujar, 16-4, the winningest pitcher in the major leagues, entered the eighth inning losing 3-2, thanks to tie-breaking home run by Jeff Leonard in the sixth.

LaPoint walked Willie McGee with one out in the eighth and Tito Landrum followed with a single to center, sending McGee to third and chasing LaPoint.

Relieve ace Scott Garrelts took over and struck out pinch-hitter Andy Van Slyke. But Pendleton’s single created a tie and Braun’s hit gave the Cardinals the lead.

Jeff Lahti pitched the last two innings for his 10th save.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the first. Dan Gladden led off with a single, advanced on Manny Trillo’s grounder, stole third and scored on Ron Roenicke’s single.

St. Louis went ahead in the third with a two-out rally. Vince Coleman beat out a bunt single and went to second on Ozzie Smith’s infield hit. The runners advanced on catcher Bob Brenly’s passed ball and scored on Tom Herr’s two-run single.

Andujar had retired nine in a row before former teammate David Green opened the fifth with a bunt single. Green went to third on Jose Uribe’s single. Uribe advanced on LaPoint’s sacrifice and Green scored on Gladden’s grounder to second for a tie.