Cardinals Tie MLB Record With Seven Doubles in One Inning

Cardinals third baseman David Freese hit two of the Cardinals' seven doubles in the bottom of the seventh inning. (Dilip Vishwanat)

During the seventh inning stretch, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs must have felt as though one run could win it for their side. After all, the score was 0-0 and neither team had been able to get much of anything going offensively. However, in the bottom of the seventh, the Cardinals offense didn't want to leave anything to chance.

Cardinals third baseman David Freese reached on an infield single to start off the inning. Center fielder John Jay's failed bunt attempt was popped up. Utility man Allen Craig came in to pinch hit for starting pitcher Jake Westbrook. He doubled to left to put runners at second and third. Shortstop Rafael Furcal singled home Freese to put the Cardinals on the board. The next batter, second baseman Skip Schumaker, tripled to deep center to plate two more.

Next up, left fielder Matt Holliday drew a walk. He was followed by right fielder Carlos Beltran who hit a ground-rule double. Catcher Yadier Molina was intentionally walked to load the bases. First baseman Lance Berkman popped out to second for the second out. The next three batters, Freese, Jay, and Craig all had doubles that scored a combined five runs. Following that, Furcal drew a walk. Schumaker and Holliday continued the offensive parade with a double each.

When all was said and done, the Cardinals had scored 12 runs on 10 hits in the inning. Incredibley, seven of those hits were doubles. That tied a 76-year-old major league record set by the Boston Bees in 1936. The offensive explosion was unbelievable, especially when one considers that the Cardinals scored zero runs the rest of the game. The one inning made all the difference for them. It proved to be more than enough in order to lift them to victory.