Punto Triple Leads Cardinals Past Braves In Extra Innings

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St. Louis Cardinals utility infielder Nick Punto hit a 2 run
 triple in the 11th inning, propelling the Cardinals to a 5-3
 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. - Photo
courtesy of Getty Images
Nick Punto has had a rough spring.  It was a long road back to the major leagues after undergoing sports hernia surgery this past offseason.

Punto missed a handful of games to start the season for St. Louis.

But on Friday night, he made his presence felt, hitting a 2 run triple in the top of the 11th inning to give the Cardinals a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. 

"I was looking for a fastball. I got a fastball, middle in, and put some good wood on it," Punto said. "It didn't hit anybody. It landed in the corner, so we got a couple of runs."

While Punto has not been particularly spectacular since returning to the lineup, hitting just .200 thus far, he does add value to the Cardinals with his ability to switch hit and play multiple positions. 

The Cardinals also got a good offensive performance out of Ryan Theriot, who returned to the lineup from a rib cage injury.  Theriot scored the go ahead run in the 11th inning and was 2 for 4 on the evening, raising his season average to .319.

Chris Carpenter started for the Cardinals and pitched good enough to win, going 7 innings and allowing just 3 runs.  But, Carpenter remains win-less on the season.

While Punto and Theriot had good nights at the plate, the real savior for the Cardinals was the bullpen.  Mitchell Boggs, Eduardo Sanchez, Jason Motte, and Trevor Miller combined to throw 4 innings, allowing zero hits and a pair of walks while shutting down the Braves offense.

Sanchez picked up his first victory of the season and career while Miller retired one hitter to pick up the save.

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