Final Day: Cards Catch Braves

The red-hot St. Louis Cardinals have finally caught the Atlanta Braves in the chase for the final playoff spot in the National League.

Ryan Theriot had a two-run triple in the seventh to give the Cardinals the lead, and St. Louis rolled to a 13-7 win over the Houston Astros last night.  The Cardinals have now won 21 of their last 29 games since being swept at home by the Los Angeles Dodgers in late August.

Meanwhile, slumping Atlanta lost again, falling to Roy Oswalt and the Phillies, 7-1.  It was Atlanta's fourth straight defeat.  The Braves had an 8.5 game lead in the wild-card race just three weeks ago.

If the two teams remain tied, a one game playoff would be played in St. Louis on Thursday.