ST. LOUIS, July 1 (UPI) -- Colby Rasmus, who stayed alive when Pablo Sandoval dropped a foul pop-up, hit a homer in the 10th Wednesday to give St. Louis a 2-1 win over San Francisco.
The Cardinals halted a three-game losing streak after Adam Wainwright struck out 12 over nine innings without getting a decision.
Wainwright gave up the tying run in the eighth inning on Bengie Molina's sacrifice fly. Ryan Franklin (2-0) worked a perfect top of the 10th to get the win.
Bob Howry (0-4) was called on to keep the game going in the bottom of the 10th and he faced Rasmus to start the inning.
Rasmus fouled off four pitches before lifting a pop-up down the third base line. Sandoval, however, misplayed it for an error. After Rasmus took a pitch to bring about a full count, he drove his eighth homer of the year to right field.
The St. Louis win, combined with Milwaukee's loss to the New York Mets, brought the Cardinals within a game of the Brewers for the top spot in the National League Central.
