Cards hang on

The Rays had something going in the eight when they scored three times and had runners at first and second and two out. That's when Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa called for Joe Motte, the kid competing with Bradenton-product Jason Motte for the job as Cardinal closer.

The animated right-hander blew away Ray Olmedo to end the threat and stopped the Rays in the ninth as the Cardinals hung on for a 9-7 victory in front of 6,969 at Charlotte Sports Park.

It was the fifth sell-out of the season, though many in the house proudly wore their Cardinal red.