Dunn's double in 9th lifts D'backs past Cards 4-3

[September 04, 2008]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Adam Dunn doubled home the winning run in the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday.

For the second time in three games, the Diamondbacks rallied against the Cardinals' tattered bullpen, whose 29 losses are most in the majors.

Arizona won for only the third time in 10 games and stretched its NL West lead to three games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were to face San Diego on Wednesday night. Arizona opens a three-game series at Los Angeles on Friday night.

The winning rally began when streaking Stephen Drew tripled to lead off the ninth against Chris Perez (2-2). One out later, Conor Jackson singled through the drawn-in infield to tie it. It was Perez' second blown save in eight chances.

Dunn followed with a shot to the right field corner to score Jackson ahead of the throw.

Chad Qualls (4-8) pitched the ninth to earn the victory.

Arizona trailed 3-0 in the seventh when pinch-hitter Augie Ojeda led off with a double against reliever Kyle McClellan. One out and two walks later, Ojeda scored on Conor Jackson's fielder's choice grounder to cut St. Louis' lead to 3-1.

Ron Villone came on and threw a wild pitch, allowing Miguel Montero to score to slice the deficit to 3-2.

St. Louis took a 2-0 lead in the third when Cesar Izturis bunted for a single and Glaus followed by hitting an 0-1 delivery from Doug Davis into the left field seats.

In the sixth, Felipe Lopez reached on an infield single and took second on third baseman Mark Reynolds' throwing error, his 27th error. Kyle Lohse followed with a double down the right field line to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.

Notes: St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan was ejected by home plate umpire Dale Scott during a mound visit in the seventh. ... Arizona LF Eric Byrnes, out since July 1, said he was encouraged by MRI Tuesday on his injured hamstring. "It's healthy and it's healing quickly," said Byrnes, who has been out since July 1 and isn't expected to return until spring training. ... St. Louis 1B Albert Pujols has hit 30 homers in his first eight season. According to Elias Sports Bureau, that's double the next-longest streak of 30-homer seasons to start a career. Mark McGwire did it his first four seasons, from 1987-90.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW BAGNATO]

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