Cardinals Win It in 20 Innings

Fernando Vina hit a run-scoring single in the 20th inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Florida Marlins, 7-6, Sunday in the longest game in the major leagues in 10 years.

Vina was hitless in nine at-bats before his single. The last time a game lasted as long was Aug. 31, 1993, when Minnesota beat Cleveland, 5-4, in 22 innings.

It was the longest game in Marlin history, surpassing the 17 innings they played against Toronto on June 8, 1998. It was the second-longest game for the Cardinal franchise -- St. Louis played 25 innings against the New York Mets in 1974.

When the game ended after 6 hours and 7 minutes, many of the announced crowd of 10,075 had left. A steady drizzle that started in the 18th helped chase some fans away.

The Cardinals took a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth before Florida rallied for five runs. Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo and Ramon Castro homered to spark the comeback.

There were a total of 622 pitches, including 337 by seven St. Louis pitchers. The Marlins used eight pitchers.

After 10 scoreless extra innings, the Cardinals broke through against Carl Pavano (2-3) in the 20th.

Edgar Renteria reached on a one-out single, took third on Mike Matheny’s single and scored on Vina’s single.

Cardinal starter Garrett Stephenson pitched eight innings and was on the verge of his first win in nearly a month before the bullpen faltered.

Jeff Fassero started the ninth inning and gave up solo home runs to Castro and Castillo.

Following a one-out single by Juan Pierre, Russ Springer relieved. His wild pitch put Pierre on second and Ivan Rodriguez beat out an infield hit.

After Juan Encarnacion hit into a fielder’s choice at third to score a run to make it 6-4, Lowell followed with his tying home run.