4/13 Cubs vs. Cardinals – UPDATED

The Cardinals celebrated winning the 2011 World Series with an extended pre-game ceremony Friday, which included raising a banner in left field, parading Hall of Famers like Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and Ozzie Smith, and presenting their four championship trophies on the field at once. After the 1 hour 44 minute rain delay and all the hoopla, David DeJesus quieted the Busch Stadium sellout crowd with a leadoff double off Adam Wainwright. Darwin Barney then singled and Starlin Castro followed with a RBI single. One out later, Ian Stewart launched his first home run into the right field seats to open a 4-0 lead.

The Cardinals entered the series leading the National League in hitting, and had out-homered the Cubs, 12-3. But with one out in the third, Chicago loaded the bases on two walks and a single, and Bryan LaHair cleared them with his opposite field home run. It was LaHair’s first career grand slam and the first by a Cubs player since Aramis Ramirez did so Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston.

– Carrie Muskat