Cardinals Rally From 9-0 Deficit to Beat Braves on Close Play, 12-11
It wouldn’t seem possible that the Atlanta pitching staff could blow a 9-0 lead, but it did Saturday night in St. Louis and the Braves wound up losing, 12-11, on a disputed play at the plate.
The Braves chased Rheal Cormier early, scored six runs in the second inning and led, 9-0, behind John Smoltz.
But the Cardinals started pecking away and by the end of seven, they were trailing, 11-9.
Felix Jose, a .452 hitter since coming off the disabled list 10 days ago, hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie it.
With one out Brian Jordan doubled and with two out and two on, Luis Alicea, hitting .115, lined a single to left. In a close play at home, Jordan was called safe.
The biggest comebacks in National League history were 11-run rallies by the Cardinals in 1952 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972. The major league record is 12 by the Detroit Tigers in 1911 and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925.
Smoltz gave up 11 hits and seven runs in 6 2/3 innings but left with a 11-7 lead.
Mike Perez (4-0) won it and Lee Smith picked up his 10th save by pitching a perfect ninth.
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