Cardinals quiz of the day: August 6, 2009


By Brian Walton and Tom Orf

Who is the only St. Louis Cardinal to drive in seven runs in a game without the benefit of a home run?

You might think Albert Pujols. He has collected seven RBI in a single game twice in his career, including April 11 of this year at Busch Stadium against the Houston Astros. However all of Albert’s RBI that day occurred via the long ball as he hit both a grand slam and a three-run home run.

So, who is this player?

He accomplished the odd feat on August 28, 1980 against the Atlanta Braves and he did all the damage during the first four innings. Three of the runs would be charged against former Cardinal closer and current broadcaster Al Hrabosky.

In the bottom of the first inning, this Cardinals left fielder delivered a two-out, two-run double off Doyle Alexander after Keith Hernandez walked and George Hendrick was hit by a pitch to put the Cards up 2-0.

In the second, the Cardinals added three more runs, knocking Alexander out of the game. Hrabosky was brought in and intentionally walked Hendrick to load the bases. Our mystery man, batting fifth that day, delivered a three-run double this time, scoring Hernandez and Hendrick again along with Tony Scott to make it 8-0.

Our hero came up again against Hrabosky in the fourth inning following a walk to Hernandez and a Hendrick double. This time he delivered a two-run single for his sixth and seventh RBI of the day, and advanced to second on the throw home. After going to third on Terry Kennedy’s groundout, he scored the final Cardinal run on a Hrabosky wild pitch to make it 11-0.

His line that day: 5 1 3 7 (AB R H BI)

For the Cardinals, Bob Forsch pitched a complete game in the 11-2 victory.

How many of you came up with the answer?

The player: Dane Iorg. For those interested, here is the link to the box score.