ST. LOUIS _ One inning after Randal Grichuk seemingly had given the Cardinals enough of a cushion with a two-run homer in the eighth, he came through again in the ninth.
After the Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras had tied the score with a three-run homer in the ninth, Grichuk, batting with the bases loaded and two out, hit a line single to the left-center-field wall to score Jose Martinez with the winning run in a 4-3 Cardinals' victory over the defending World Series champions at sold-out Busch Stadium.
Martinez, the surprise scourge of spring training, doubled with one out in the ninth off losing pitcher Mike Montgomery. The Cubs became the first team to issue the automatic intentional walk (to Yadier Molina) without having to throw a pitch. Stephen Piscotty struck out but Kolten Wong walked on a full-count pitch to fill the bases for Grichuk.
His home run had come on an 0-2 pitch. This time Grichuk hit a 2-0 cripple shot for the game-winner, which was the Cardinals' only hit in 10 at-bats with a man in scoring position.
Seung Hwan, who threw Contreras' home run ball, was the winning pitcher. Starter Carlos Martinez, who fanned 10 without walking anyone, got a no decision. A misplay by first baseman Matt Carpenter had helped keep the Cubs alive in the ninth inning but Grichuk provided the eraser in the home ninth.
