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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ST. LOUIS (AP) – His manager wants him to concentrate on his
natural abilities, rather than thinking about home runs. J.D. Drew
says there's nothing to be concerned about.
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| Drew |
"I'm reluctant to talk about his home runs because sometimes
hitters start paying more attention to that and seeing it on the
highlights," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa after Drew hit his
career-high 19th homer Saturday in an 8-5 win over Cincinnati.
Drew also stole home as part of a double steal in the Cardinals'
victory, which ended a season-high four-game losing streak.
Drew managed a slight smile when told of La Russa's comments.
"I don't think about home runs," he said.
Matt Morris won his seventh game in his last eight decisions and
Ray Lankford drove in four runs with a home run and a double.
The Reds have lost nine of 11.
Morris (8-3), who had been leading the NL with a 2.47 ERA,
allowed four earned runs in 5 1-3 innings, and left with a 2.76
ERA.
Morris said he didn't have his best stuff.
"I was just flat for some reason. We scored enough runs to
overcome my mistakes."
Brian Reith (0-3) said he got himself in trouble.
"It was definitely a struggle today," he said. "I was getting
behind all the hitters and you can't pitch that well at this level
behind in the count."
"I made a few mistakes and they took advantage of them," said
Reith, who allowed six runs in 1 2-3 innings. Reith lost 2-0 to the
Cardinals last Sunday.
Gene Stechschulte pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.
Lankford's 13th home run capped a four-run first inning.
The Cardinals scored their first run as Drew raced home as part
of a double steal with Craig Paquette. It was the first time Drew
had stolen home in his major league career.
Drew became the first Cardinals' player to steal home since Eli
Marerro did it against Pittsburgh on April 13, 1999.
After a walk to Albert Pujols, Lankford homered.
Michael Tucker hit a two-run homer in the second, following a
walk by Sean Casey. Drew and Marrero homered in the bottom half.
The Reds scored another run in the third on a double-play
grounder by Deion Sanders.
The Cardinals made it 8-3 with two runs in the fifth. Lankford
hit an RBI double, and another run scored when catcher Kelly
Stinnett dropped a throw for an error.
Alex Ochoa doubled in two runs in the Reds' sixth.
Game notes
The Reds have not come from behind to win a game in the
ninth inning all year. ... St. Louis 2B Fernando Vina is the
second-most difficult batter in the National League to strike out,
fanning only 13 times in 236 plate appearances this year. Vina has
reached base as a leadoff hitter in nine of his last 13 games. ...
Drew hit 18 home runs last season.
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RECAPS
NY Yankees 9
Cleveland 4
Baltimore 7
Oakland 0
Boston 2
Toronto 1
Chi. White Sox 5
Detroit 3
Texas 3
Minnesota 2
Anaheim 3
Kansas City 2
Seattle 7
Tampa Bay 4
St. Louis 8
Cincinnati 5
Colorado 7
San Francisco 5
Houston 2
Los Angeles 1
NY Mets 7
Florida 1
Chicago Cubs 10
Milwaukee 4
Montreal 12
Philadelphia 5
Atlanta 0
Pittsburgh 0
Arizona 2
San Diego 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Ray Lankford looks to lead by example and did, driving in four runs with a home run and a double.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Manager Tony La Russa says today was a good example of Ray Lankford's overall performance this season.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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