ST. LOUIS -- Rookie Colby Rasmus hit a leadoff homer in the 10th inning after rookie third baseman Pablo Sandoval dropped his foul pop fly earlier in the at-bat, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.
Sandoval circled Rasmus' foul ball off a 2-2 count against Bob Howry (0-4), arriving late and missing with appeared to be a casual stab with his glove. Three pitches later, Rasmus homered to straightaway center for his first game-ending hit.
Albert Pujols, who was in the on-deck circle when Rasmus connected, was 2 for 2 after drawing intentional walks with a man on second his first two at-bats. His 26 intentional walks are more than double any other player.
Ryan Franklin (2-0) worked a perfect 10th for the win.