Ludwick’s bat haunts Cardinals
Belts 3-run homer to lift Padres to win
ST. LOUIS – Ryan Ludwick used to get the clutch hits with the Cardinals. His ex-teammates couldn’t be that surprised that his biggest hit with the San Diego Padres came at their expense.
Ludwick snapped a ninth-inning tie with a three-run homer for the Padres, who snapped a three-game losing streak and remained near the top in the N.L. West and wild-card standings with an 8-4 victory on Saturday.
“Ryan’s done that for us, he gives you a real tough at-bat in a situation like that,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “It’s one of his strengths and we’ve enjoyed it.”
Will Venable and David Eckstein had three hits and an RBI apiece for the Padres, who began the day a half-game behind San Francisco in the N.L. West. They remained 1 1/2 games behind Atlanta for the wild card. San Diego hasn’t won in St. Louis since Aug. 7, 2007.
“They play us well,” said Eckstein, the 2006 World Series MVP with the Cardinals. “Bottom line.”
Ludwick and pinch-hitter Matt Stairs hit back-to-back homers off Kyle McClellan (1-4), who hadn’t allowed a run in eight straight outings but faltered in his second inning after working a scoreless eighth. It was Ludwick’s 20th homer, and fifth in 160 at-bats with San Diego.
“To be able to do it against your former team, it’s nice,” Ludwick said. “But I’m definitely not trying to show anyone up over there.”
Although Ludwick is batting only .244 with the Padres, he’s 5 for 11 in the first three games of a homecoming series and 10 for 21 on the first six games of a 10-game trip. His drive on an 0-1 slider had just enough to clear the left field wall.
“I know he’s feeling better about his swing,” manager Bud Black said. “He’s got some hits here, which I think is great for his confidence.”