Marlins Vs. Cardinals Final Score: 9th Inning Rally Gives St. Louis 5-4 Victory

The St. Louis Cardinals scored three runs in the ninth inning to steal the series rubber match with the Miami Marlins with a 5-4 victory at Busch Stadium. Shortstop Rafael Furcal delivered the game-winning hit, a two RBI single to left to score David Freese and Matt Carpenter. The Cardinals improve to 46-40 with the win, while Miami falls to 41-44.

The Marlins took a 4-2 lead into the ninth thanks to a three-run homer from pinch hitter Austin Kearns in the top of the seventh inning. Catcher Tony Cruz got the scoring started for St. Louis in the ninth with a sacrifice fly to score Allen Craig.

Cards starter Joe Kelly allowed two hits and one run (zero earned) over six innings while walking five and striking out five.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Marlins Preview: Joe Kelly Looks To Continue Home Success

The first half has been a tumultuous one for the St. Louis Cardinals, but with a win over the Miami Marlins on Sunday, St. Louis can enter the All-Star break six games over .500 and well within striking distance of the first place Pittsburgh Pirates. Standing in their way are the Miami Marlins, who are limping into the break without star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.

On Sunday the Cardinals will hand the ball to starter Joe Kelly, who in three home starts this season has posted a 2.93 ERA. But all is not what it may seem: Kelly has been able to prevent runs, but he's also allowed 25 baserunners in those innings. On the season, opponents are batting .297 against him, and that will need to come down if he wants to keep his run prevention down in the future.

The Marlins are countering with Anibal Sanchez, who, after a sizzling April and May, endured a rough June that saw him post a 7.06 ERA. July didn't start any better for him, as he gave up five earned runs in five innings to the Milwaukee Brewers in his last start.

Game date/time: Sunday, July 8, 1:15 p.m. CT

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.

TV: FSN Midwest

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Marlins Vs. Cardinals: St. Louis May Opt To Start Rookie C Bryan Anderson

Despite backup C Tony Cruz hitting the crucial, game-winning triple in Saturday's win over the Miami Marlins, it appears likely the St. Louis Cardinals will opt to start callup C Bryan Anderson will SP Joe Kelly pitching for the Cards. Anderson, who had only a .568 OPS in the minor leagues this season, had previously served as Kelly's battery mate, potentially giving him an advantage calling the game.

Anderson, 25 years old, has spent large parts of the last four seasons in the Triple-A. Getting his first chance in the majors since 2010 has been a major goal for him:

"[Triple-A is] not some place you want to be that long," said Anderson, 25. "I'm just trying to improve my game so that some day I can get out of there.

"It's not your goal growing up to play in Memphis for your life."

The Cards are presently without their All-Star catcher, C Yadier Molina, as he is away on the bereavement list.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Marlins Vs. Cardinals Final Score: Tony Cruz Triple Gives St. Louis 3-2 Win

With C Yadier Molina away from the team while on the bereavement list, the St. Louis Cardinals (46-40) needed their reserve, C Tony Cruz, to step up against the Miami Marlins (41-44). And Cruz indeed meet the challenge, hitting a triple in the fourth inning on Saturday to give the Cards a 3-2 win.

SP Kyle Lohse (W, 9-2) got the win as he pitched 7.0 strong innings, allowing only 2 earned runs on 4 strikeouts, 1 walk and 1 home run allowed. On the other side, SP Carlos Zambrano (L, 4-7) lasted only 5.0 innings with 4 strikeouts, 2 walks and no home runs allowed, but he did allow all 3 of the Cardinals runs.

The crucial runs came in the fourth inning. 1B Allen Craig (3 for 4 on the day) hit a leadoff single. 3B David Freese followed with a walk, then 2B Skip Shumaker singled to left, putting the score at 2-1, Miami lead. Cruz then connected for his only hit of the day, a line drive triple to right field to put the Cardinals up 3-2.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Marlins Lineups: Schumaker Get Starts At Second, Holliday Okay After HBP

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday was taken out of Friday night's game after being hit by Miami Marlins closer Heath Bell in the ninth inning, but Holliday is apparently feeling just fine and will be in the lineup when the two teams take the field on Saturday afternoon. The only change to St. Louis' lineup from last night's game is the insertion of Skip Schumaker— who doubled off Bell in that ninth— at second base.

Here are the full lineups for both teams:

Cardinals

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Jon Jay, CF
   
3. Matt Holliday, LF
   
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. Allen Craig, 1B
6. David Freese, 3B
7. Skip Schumaker, 2B
8. Tony Cruz, C
9. Kyle Lohse, P

Marlins

1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Hanley Ramirez, 3B
3. Carlos Lee, 1B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
5. Logan Morrison, LF
6. Justin Ruggiano, CF
7. Donovan Solano, 2B
8. Brett Hayes, C
9. Carlos Zambrano, P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Cardinals 2B Situation Puts Squeeze On Skip Schumaker, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene

The St. Louis Cardinals have a bit of an issue at second base, and with Matt Carpenter making a spot start there are plenty of questions about how Skip Schumaker, Daniel Descalso and Tyler Greene fit into the situation going forward. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch spoke with manager Mike Matheny about that issue, and Matheny noted that it's about the success of the team right now:

"They should want to be in there. I get that. But I also believe if I'm more concerned about that and not what gives us the best chance to win it's not the right situation.

"I care about each of these guys. I've made that very clear. I'll continue to. And whether they buy it or not isn't up to me. I want to see them all succeed individually. But I want to see us all succeed collectively. There are going to be tough times like that. Everyone has them."

Greene could be the odd-man out, as Strauss mentions that he has struggled at the plate and only owns one extra-base hit since May 28. Overall, Cardinals second basemen rank in the bottom half of the National League in batting average and on-base percentage for 2012.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Marlins Vs. Cardinals: Giancarlo Stanton Expected To Start On Saturday

As if the St. Louis Cardinals didn't already have enough on their plate in trying to slow down a red-hot Miami Marlins team that has won seven of their last nine games, star slugger Giancarlo Stanton is expected return to the starting lineup on Saturday. Stanton appeared for one pinch-hit at-bat on Friday (a strikeout), but he hasn't started since July 2 due to a loose body in his knee. His plan is to start on Saturday and to use that a a launching point for his participation in 2012 All-Star Weekend festivities.

Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse has the task of slowing down the Marlins' lineup, while Cardinals hitter will look to touch up Miami starter Carlos Zambrano.

Game Date & Time: Saturday, July 7, 3:10 p.m. CT

TV: Fox Sports Midwest

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Marlins Final Score: Cardinals Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 3-2

The St. Louis Cardinals had the Miami Marlins in a vulnerable position in the bottom of the ninth of Friday night's ballgame. Down 3-2, St. Louis had runners on first and second with two outs. Carlos Beltran was at the plate and Marlins closer Heath Bell was on the verge of the type of implosion that has been routine for him in 2012. But Bell got Beltran to chop a grounder up the middle, where it was fielded by Marlins second baseman Omar Infante, who whipped the ball across his body and got Beltran at first by a step.

But, truly, St. Louis probably shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. The Cardinals tallied ten hits prior to the ninth inning, but only cashed in a single run. They also were sloppy in the field, gifting the Marlins their first run thanks to two errors by David Freese and ensuring that a second one would score when Jake Westbrook airmailed a throw to first on a Jose Reyes dribbler in the seventh, though Reyes would've almost certainly been safe either way.

The eventual game-winning run came for Miami in the eighth inning, when Logan Morrison smacked a homer to right field off St. Louis reliever Maikel Cleto to bring the score to 3-1. It was that type of big blast that the Cardinals, who left 20 men on base, couldn't seem to run into on Friday night.

The two teams will be back on the field tomorrow at 3:10 p.m. CT.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Marlins Vs. Cardinals Lineups: Tony Cruz Gets A Start At Catcher

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was placed on the bereavement list Friday and won't be with the team this weekend. His replacement on Friday night is Tony Cruz, who has appeared in 22 games this season. The full lineups are listed below.

St. Louis:

1. Rafael Furcal (S) SS
2. Jon Jay (L) CF
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Carlos Beltran (S) RF
5. Allen Craig (R) 1B
6. David Freese (R) 3B
7. Daniel Descalso (L) 2B
8. Tony Cruz (R) C
9. Jake Westbrook (R) P

Related: Yadier Molina Placed On Bereavement List; Cardinals Recall Bryan Anderson From Triple-A

Miami:

1. Jose Reyes (S) SS
2. Hanley Ramirez (R) 3B
3. Carlos Lee (R) 1B
4. Logan Morrison (L) LF
5. Justin Ruggiano (R) CF
6. Greg Dobbs (L) RF
7. Omar Infante (R) 2B
8. John Buck (R) C
9. Ricky Nolasco (R) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Yadier Molina Placed On Bereavement List; Cardinals Recall Bryan Anderson From Triple-A

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Friday that catcher Yadier Molina has been placed on MLB's bereavement list. St. Louis has called up Bryan Anderson from triple-A Memphis to help fill in while Molina is away from the club.

Yadier Molina placed on the bereavement list and Bryan Anderson called up from Memphis.#STLcardsfoxsportsmidwest.com/07/06/12/Molin…

— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) July 6, 2012

Related: MLB Trade Rumors 2012: Zack Greinke Too Pricey For Cardinals, Says Ken Rosenthal

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Yadier Molina, who is returning to Puerto Rico due to the death of his wife's grandfather.

— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) July 6, 2012

The 25-year-old Anderson is hitting .210/.295/.272 with eight doubles, two home runs and 21 RBI in 64 games with Memphis. He played in 15 games for the Cardinals back in 2010.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage, check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

MLB Trade Rumors 2012: Zack Greinke Too Pricey For Cardinals, Says Ken Rosenthal

Despite all of their injuries, the St. Louis Cardinals are still in play for the NL Central crown and a run in the MLB Playoffs, but they may need to make a few moves before the 2012 MLB trade deadline. For anyone holding out hope that St. Louis could pluck Zack Greinke from the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports doesn't think the Cardinals would be willing to meet the price for Greinke:

"...the Cardinals would not be willing to meet the Brewers' price, and doubt that the Brewers would even trade Greinke to a division rival, the official said.

The Cardinals, who are reluctant to part with their top prospects, are more likely to pursue a mid-rotation starter than an ace, particularly when they cannot recoup draft picks the way they did last season after their trade for right-handers Edwin Jackson and Octavio Dotel."

Rosenthal goes on to note that Skip Schumaker could see more time at second base, because St. Louis doesn't want to trade for a 2B because they would like to avoid blocking Double-A prospect Kolten Wong.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series,check out Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Marlins blog Fish Stripes. News and notes from around Major League Baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.

Marlins Vs. Cardinals: St. Louis Hopes To Build More Momentum

The St. Louis Cardinals host the Miami Marlins for a three-game weekend series.