Closer's comeback: Izzy gets the save

After a three-month odyssey of inconsistency and uncertainty, Jason Isringhausen's first save opportunity since the Cardinals reinstated him as closer awaited him in Friday's ninth inning. All he had to do was get out of the eighth. Isringhausen flirted with trouble in his 1 1/3 innings but gained the save in a 6-3 victory against Philadelphia at Busch Stadium. Isringhausen struck out the would-be tying run to end the eighth then pitched a scoreless — though daredevil — ninth for the win. The save was his 12th of the season, the 293rd of his career and the first since May 5, after which he was elbowed out of the job because of chronic volatility. "It's not over yet," Isringhausen said. "I've got to keep it going out there and getting the job done or I won't be in that role. I realize that. I have to realize that it could be... [read full story]