Edmonds ends thriller

ST. LOUIS — Jim Edmonds skipped around the bases, jumping into a cluster of St. Louis Cardinals waiting for him at home plate.

Now, waiting for all of them is Roger Clemens in an all-or-nothing Game 7.

Edmonds blasted a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the rejuvenated Cardinals turned Busch Stadium into a red frenzy, beating the Houston Astros 6-4 Wednesday to even the National League championship series at 3-all.

“We all watched TV as kids. We all hear all the stuff you guys say and write and show us. I finally get to play in a Game 7,” Edmonds said. “How much better does it get? Game 7 vs. Roger Clemens.”

After Jeff Bagwell’s two-out single in the ninth off Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen tied it at 4, Edmonds won it with a one-out shot off Dan Miceli.

Bagwell didn’t bother watching as Edmonds’ shot sailed way over the St. Louis bullpen in right field. The star first baseman simply walked across the field while the Cardinals streamed out of the dugout.

“A very winnable game for us, so I’m disappointed,” Astros manager Phil Garner said. “Haven’t given much thought to tomorrow’s game, only that I had scheduled the Rocket to go.”

Clemens came out of retirement for the sole purpose of pitching his hometown Astros into their first World Series. The 42-year-old ace will get that chance tonight when he starts against former Boston teammate Jeff Suppan.

“What’s there to say?” Clemens said, excusing himself to go watch the Red Sox play New York in Game 7 of the ALCS. “We’ve got to win tomorrow.”

It will be will Clemens’ fourth career start in a Game 7 — he’s 1-0 in those outings after getting knocked out early last year in the ALCS for the Yankees.

Righty Julian Tavarez went two innings for the victory. He pitched with a left hand that he broke in a dugout tantrum in Houston.

“It’s my understanding that it’s the fingers that are broken as opposed to the hand, so I’m not surprised. He did throw well,” Garner said.

Miceli came on after Astros reliever Brad Lidge blew away St. Louis for three perfect innings, striking out five.

“Of course you want him out of there,” St. Louis’ Albert Pujols said.

Pujols drew a leadoff walk and one out later Edmonds connected for his second homer of the NLCS.

Pujols got the Cardinals started with a two-run homer in the first off Pete Munro. The Cardinals took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but Isringhausen immediately put himself in jeopardy by hitting pinch-hitter Morgan Ensberg leading off. A bunt moved Ensberg to second and Craig Biggio hit a fly ball for the second out.

That brought up Carlos Beltran, and the Cardinals huddled on the mound. A big cheer broke out in the sellout crowd of 52,144 when catcher Mike Matheny signaled for an intentional walk.

Bagwell foiled the strategy, hitting a hard RBI single on the first pitch. After a double steal, Isringhausen struck out Lance Berkman.