ST. LOUIS _ The Cardinals secured a four-game sweep of the Padres in dramatic fashion at Busch Stadium on Thursday night, a come-from-behind 6-5 win that included the loss of left fielder Matt Holliday and a walk-off single by rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz.
With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Diaz singled to left field off Padres reliever and former Cardinal Carlos Villanueva.
Tommy Pham started the inning off with a double, although he was nearly out at second because he decided not to slide. The Padres then intentionally walked Greg Garcia to bring up Jeremy Hazelbaker, who advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. The Padres intentionally walked Jedd Gyorko to get to Aledmys Diaz, who was 14-for-23 against Padres pitching this season. Make that 15-for-24.
The Cardinals tied the game thanks to a four-run eighth inning that featured a three-run homer by Stephen Piscotty.
Holliday exited the game after a 95-mph fastball from Padres starter Andrew Cashner met his face. Holliday hit the ground. Blood poured. Busch Stadium hushed into a worried silence. But soon Holliday was not only on his feet, but arguing to stay in the game. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny instead inserted pitcher Mike Leake as a pinch runner. Holliday, according to an announcement from the club, sustained a facial abrasion in the nose/upper lip area but avoided a fracture. The club set his status as day to day.
Jonathan Broxton got the win for the Cardinals. Villanueva took the loss for the Padres.
