HOUSTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols' three-run homer in the top of the ninth lifted St. Louis over Houston, 5-4, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.
Pujols finished just 1-for-5, but his lone hit came off Houston closer Brad Lidge with two outs as St. Louis avoided elimination and forced a Game 6 at Busch Stadium on Wednesday.
Mark Grudzielanek added two RBI for the Cardinals, who came back after relinquishing a 2-1 lead in the seventh. David Eckstein added two hits and two runs scored for St. Louis, which was one strike away from elimination before rallying.
Lance Berkman had cracked a three-run, seventh-inning homer to give Houston a 4-2 lead, which appeared safe with the playoffs' most dominant closer over the last two postseasons on the hill.
However, after Lidge struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth, Eckstein started the rally with a two-strike single to left. Lidge then walked Jim Edmonds to force the matchup with the heavy-hitting Pujols.
Lidge's first pitch was a strike, but his second offering was sent onto the tracks above the left field seats to give St. Louis a 5-4 lead.
