Brewers @ Cardinals 9/30/2006 (Spiezio's Pinch-Hit Triple; Final Regular Season Win)

The Cardinals were in serious danger of seeing their lead in the NL Central slip to only a half game with one day remaining in the regular season, as they trailed the Brewers by two runs entering the bottom of the 8th in the penultimate game of the 2006 season. Considering how poorly things had been going for St. Louis (they had lost 10 of their previous 15 games), a lack of confidence in their ability to rally was understandable.

But, they did rally.

And then they almost blew it, only to survive by the grace of the baseball gods.

Albert Pujols led off the inning with a single.

Preston Wilson struck out.

Scott Rolen hit a double.

Juan Encarnacion pinch hit for Jim Edmonds, and was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ronnie Belliard then lined out to right, and the ball was hit deep enough that it should have brought home a run, but Albert Pujols failed to tag up, creating a two-out, bases loaded situation.

Tony La Russa pinch hit for catcher Yadier Molina with veteran bench player, Scott Spiezio.

Spiezio quickly got down in the count 0-2, then took a pitch that was clearly strike three, but which was called a ball. He lined the next pitch into the right field corner to empty the bases, and ultimately give the Cardinals an all-important 3-2 victory.