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Record: 50-37, 3rd, 5.5 GB Des Moines
Pinch-hitter Manny Pina scored Nicky Delmonico from third base with a sacrifice fly off Springfield reliever Cesar Puello in the bottom of the ninth inning to give St. Louis a 9-8 win at Busch Stadium (1997).
An outfielder, Puello was pitching for the Prairie Fighters as once again both teams were short on relievers having been asked to play five games in four days.
Delmonico drew a one-out walk to get things going against Puello.

The St.Louis batters just remained patient after that, daring him to throw strikes.
Tucker Barnhart also drew a walk and Adeinny Hechavarria singled, loading the bases in front of Pina.
Springfield had tied it in the top of the ninth inning.

Puello, hitting for pitcher Carl Edwards Jr., led off with a single off Walkers reliever Daniel Hudson.

Delino Deshields Jr. followed with another single.
An error by first baseman Rhys Hoskins on a ball hit by Max Schrock then loaded the bases.
A two-run single by Mookie Betts off Chaz Roe tied the score.
A three-run homer from Hechavarria in the second inning off Springfield starting pitcher Matt Andriese gave the Walkers a 3-0 lead.
A four-run fourth inning for the Fighters, featuring a solo shot by Adam Lind off sand a three-run job from Abiatal Avelino, both off Walkers starter Manuel Soliman, later put Springfield up 6-3.
It was crazy from there -- St. Louis later going up 7-6 and later 8-6 -- only to have Springfield come back once again.