Cardinals rally for late win, gain momentum in race for NL Wild Card

Mark this one down as The Comeback.

If the 2008 Cardinals are going to see postseason action, then Wednesday's home game with the Milwaukee Brewers was the perfect springboard to make sure it happens.

With the Cardinals trailing 3-1 in the 8th after leaving the bases loaded in the 7th, Albert Pujols doubled to lead off. Cleanup hitter Ryan "The Full Load" Ludwick, who hit a solo shot in the 6th for his 32nd home run of the year, promptly doubled in Pujols. Troy Glaus singled to tie the score and later scored on a play at the plate after shortstop J.J. Hardy bounced a throw home on a fielder's choice, allowing Aaron Miles to reach base. Felipe Lopez singled to score Miles, and just like that, the Cardinals were in control. If not of their own destiny for the season, at least of the game.

The much-maligned Cardinals' bullpen held, with Ryan Franklin working the 8th and rookie Big Chris Perez getting the save, his sixth since assuming the role of closer in early August.

Though humbled by his wildly mistaken prediction about the first game of the series, Punditty is heartened, yet again, by the resilience of this year's team. There's a long way to go until the final out of the 2008 World Series, but these Cardinals have shown time and again that they don't know the meaning of the word "quit."

With the exception of the 2002 team, which played excellent baseball even after the shocking midseason death-by-heart attack of pitcher Daryl Kile, I can't think of any other Tony La Russa-led St. Louis squad that exhibited this much character, drive and will to win. The verdict is still out as to whether or not they'll make the playoffs, but they've already established their bona fides when it comes to true grit and sheer badasshood.

That's why Punditty likes their chances in the Wild Card race. Too bad we couldn't just skip the National League's Western Division this year and just take the best four teams from the Central and East combined. (Hint to baseball purists: I do not mean that in a literal, let's-change-the-rules kind of way. It's just a thought.)

But enough of heaping accolades; it's time for a lesson from "The Punditty ‘Play Ball!' Book of Smart Plays and Better Ground Rules:"

All players are strongly advised to avoid excessive celebration and displays of emotion when making a big play in a close contest, unless that play happens to be the last out of the ballgame. Special addendum to visiting players: Don't even think about it. It ain't over until it's over.

Fans who saw the game know that Brewers' pitcher Carlos Villanueva inspired this particular advice by raising his arms in excessive jubilation after catching a foul out by Joe Mather to get out of a tight jam in the 7th.

Villanueva caught the ball and celebrated like a Deal or No Deal contestant, no doubt relieved that Pujols was headed back to his position at first base and not the batter's box. Perhaps it was a gut reaction, but it was also dumb.

Not content with simply grabbing his glove and meekly trotting to his position, Pujols had a gut reaction of his own. He began walking ominously toward the opposing pitcher before home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi stepped in.

The disappointed St. Louis crowd suddenly grew enlivened, feeling once more the feisty, refuse-to-lose attitude that has been such a key ingredient to the Redbirds' success this year.

After being held scoreless in their half of the 8th, Brewers' Manager Ned Yost wisely lifted Villanueva, replacing him with veteran David Riske, but there was nothing Yost could do about Pujols leading off the inning. We all know how Pujols got things started, and we all know how things ended.

Both teams have a day off Thursday before resuming play Friday, the Cards on the road in Houston for a three-game tilt and the Brew Crew traveling to Pittsburgh for three. The high-flying Cubs, who lead the NL Central by six games and have the best record in baseball, open a four-game homestand with the Phillies Thursday night.