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Score and situation: The St. Louis Cardinals stayed alive and forced Game 5 of the NLDS with a 5-3 victory at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night.
Leading lads: David Freese hit a long two-run home run to center field and added a two-run double, and right-hander Edwin Jackson overcame a shaky beginning to hold the Phillies offense in check over six innings.
St. Louis' defense helped out — Albert Pujols cut down Chase Utley trying to take an extra base in the sixth — and catcher Yadier Molina was the middle man on a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play that changed the complexion of the Phillies' first inning.
Head hangers: Ryan Howard went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and is batting .133 in the series. Right-hander Roy Oswalt received a two-run lead out of the box, but couldn't keep St. Louis' offense down for long. Shane Victorino made the funniest play of the season — not in a good way — trying to throw a ball into the infield. Utley's overly aggressive baserunning might have cost the Phillies at least a run.
Key play: It's a tough call between Pujols' head's up throw to third to get Utley and the St. Louis double play in the first inning. Instead, let's go with the Busch Stadium Squirrel, who made his (her?) second appearance of the series.
What they'll be talking about: Was THAT Pujols' last game at Busch in a Cardinals uniform, or will he be back with Jason Motte (young Yukon Cornelius) and the rest of Team Fredbird for the NLCS?
What's next: The best pitcher on the planet, Roy Halladay, gets the call with the Phillies' great season on the line, going against former teammate Chris Carpenter (he's good too) in Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Be there.
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