Sixth inning key as Cardinals beat Giants

The Cardinals took a pair of gambles Monday night, gambles that changed the landscape of the sixth inning and, eventually, the series opener against the Giants.

The sixth-inning risks, while substantial, were dwarfed by the reward -- a three-run frame that pushed the Cardinals toward an 8-2 win at Busch Stadium, where St. Louis has won 12 of the last 13 games played.

"We need to get wins," said Jon Jay, who orchestrated a career-best four-hit night. "That was a big inning for us."

The initial spark came from Matt Holliday, someone who manager Mike Matheny has recently lauded for playing with the same urgency he has publicly stated the third-place team needs to have.

A leadoff double against Matt Cain put Holliday on second, the score tied, 2-2. He had his eyes on third as Carlos Beltran lifted a ball to center, and Holliday took the chance.

His foot just beat the throw, putting Holliday in position to score the go-ahead run when David Freese followed with a deep fly ball.

"Matt's hustle made that play happen," Matheny said. "It doesn't happen if he's not anticipating and giving it all he's got."

That was only the start.

Two singles and a seven-pitch walk later, it was Matheny's turn to weigh his options, as the pitcher's spot was due up next. He endured minimal hesitation, even though Westbrook's pitch count sat at a modest 79 with a one-run lead.

Matheny wanted more.

As the inning unfolded, he told Matt Carpenter to go get ready.

Carpenter did, while staying out of sight.

"I was underneath hiding," Carpenter said, "but at the same time ready to go."

His cue came when Westbrook returned from the on-deck circle. The Cardinals liked the matchup, too. Carpenter had only seen Cain once before, but he went 3-for-3 on that day in San Francisco.