The Cardinals jumped out to an eight run lead after four and a half innings, punctuated by Pujols' three run homer in the first. But then the Cardinals ran into a few defensive problems and issued a few too many walks and before too long, the score was Cards 8, Cubs 7.
And there it stayed.
It was a cold, windy day at Wrigley Field, but the Cardinals -- who have spent far too much of this season snatching defeat from the jaws of victory -- would stave off elimination for another day.
But the Reds won later in San Diego, so the tragic number is down to one.
Ah, well.