Cardinals 9, Royals 8 (10)
Colby Rasmus and Yadier Molina drew bases-loaded walks in the 10th inning off rookie Tim Collins as visiting St. Louis beat Kansas City 9-8 Sunday in the rubber game of the I-70 series.
The Cardinals, who blew a 7-1 fifth-inning lead, took advantage of second baseman Mike Aviles throwing error around a walk and hit-by-pitch to load the bases in the 10th. Louis Coleman (0-1), who allowed two baserunners without securing an out in the 10th, took the loss.
Rasmus drew five walks and Molina went 4-for-5 with a double and two-run triple.
The Royals rallied behind homers by Jeff Francoeur, Wilson Betemit and Alex Gordon. Betemit’s RBI single tied it 7-7 in the seventh.
Jason Motte (2-1) picked up the win with a scoreless ninth and Fernando Salas allowed one run in the 10th but fanned Alcides Escobar with a runner on second to end it for his seventh save.
Cards cleanup hitter Matt Holliday left in the fifth inning with tightness in his left quad.
Royals manager Ned Yost and catcher Matt Treanor were ejected in the seventh for arguing balls and strikes.