CHICAGO — Reed Johnson saw only one pitch in the game, and that was all he needed to have a big impact with a little hit.
Pinch hitting in the seventh inning, Johnson drove in the go-ahead run with a bunt single and the Chicago Cubs got past St. Louis 3-2 Saturday, ending the Cardinals’ four-game winning streak.
Johnson caught the Cardinals by surprise when he squared up on the first pitch with runners on first and third and two outs. Johnson’s bunt fell between reliever Brian Fuentes and third baseman Matt Carpenter, allowing pinch-runner Tony Campana to score.
“That’s a part of my game,” Johnson said. “If there is an RBI out there [and if] they’re going to give me that bunt at third, I’m going to take advantage of that every time.”
The Cubs snapped a five-game skid against St. Louis and have won nine of its last 11 overall at Wrigley Field. One day after the Cardinals homered in each of the first five innings in a 9-6 victory over the Cubs, Chicago evened the series on a hit that traveled about 40 feet.
“That was all on his own,” Cubs Manager Dale Sveum said. “Reed is one of them baseball players that has those things in his toolbox.”
James Russell (3-0) earned the victory in relief.
Carlos Marmol pitched the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances. He struck out Skip Schumaker and got John Jay on a groundout with pinchrunner Tyler Greene on second to end the type of game the Cubs struggled to win earlier this season.
DODGERS 10, GIANTS 0 Matt Kemp homered among his four hits and drove in four runs, Chad Billingsley took a two-hitter into the eighth inning and visiting Los Angeles beat San Francisco. Hanley Ramirez had three RBI in helping the Dodgers beat San Francisco for the second consecutive day.
PIRATES 4, ASTROS 3 Rod Barajas hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and Pittsburgh rallied past host Houston. Wandy Rodriguez pitched 6 innings in his Pittsburgh debut, allowing 3 runs and 6 hits with 5 walks against his former team.
DIAMONDBACKS 6, METS 3 Miguel Montero homered, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs to help host Arizona overcome Ike Davis’ three home runs in a victory over New York. BRAVES 2, PHILLIES 1 Mike Minor struck out nine and combined with Craig Kimbrel on a four-hitter as host Atlanta edged Philadelphia. MARLINS 4, PADRES 2 Jose Reyes hit a two-run home run to lead Miami past visiting San Diego.
NATIONALS 4, BREWERS 1 Jordan Zimmerman gave up five hits in six innings and visiting Washington hit three home runs in a victory over Milwaukee.
REDS 9, ROCKIES 7 Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs to give visiting Cincinnati its seasonhigh ninth consecutive victory.
American League
BLUE JAYS 5, TIGERS 1 Edwin Encarnacion, Colby Rasmus and Yunel Escobar homered off Detroit newcomer Anibal Sanchez, leading host Toronto past the Tigers.
MARINERS 4, ROYALS 3 Kevin Millwood (4-8) pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Jesus Montero hit a two-run home run and host Seattle beat Kansas City.
RED SOX 8, YANKEES 6 Curtis Granderson misplayed Peter Ciriaco’s ninth-inning flyball into a go-ahead triple and Boston beat host New York.
ATHLETICS 6, ORIOLES 1 Yoenis Cespedes and Chris Carter each hit a two-run home run and visiting Oakland earned its ninth victory in 10 games.
TWINS 12, INDIANS 5 Samuel Deduno pitched seven innings for his second major league victory and Josh Willingham hit his 27th home run for host Minnesota.
WHITE SOX 5, RANGERS 2 Adam Dunn hit his major league-leading 31st home run, Philip Humber pitched six innings and visiting Chicago won its fifth consecutive.
Saturday’s games
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago Cubs 3, St. Louis 2 LA Dodgers 10, San Francisco 0 Pittsburgh 4, Houston 3 Atlanta 2, Philadelphia 1 Miami 4, San Diego 2 Washington 4, Milwaukee 1 Cincinnati 9, Colorado 7 Arizona 6, NY Mets 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Toronto 5, Detroit 1 Boston 8, NY Yankees 6 Seattle 4, Kansas City 3 Oakland 6, Baltimore 1 Minnesota 12, Cleveland 5 Chicago White Sox 5, Texas 2 Tampa Bay at LA Angels, (n)
Sports, Pages 26 on 07/29/2012