Kozma delivers clutch defense in Saturday's win

MILWAUKEE -- One of the things that has gone seemingly unnoticed by many in the series with the Brewers is the excellent defensive play by shortstop Pete Kozma.

While Jon Jay's clutch single in the ninth gave the Cardinals the lead in their victory over the Brewers on Saturday, starter Adam Wainwright took time to give Kozma credit for an exceptional play in the first inning.

"Koz made maybe a game-saving play at shortstop," Wainwright said. "That was an amazing play."

With the bases loaded and two outs and Milwaukee already having scored twice in the first inning, Alex Gonzalez hit a grounder into the hole between shortstop and third. Kozma got to the ball and made an off-balance throw to second, getting Martin Maldonado by a step to end the inning.

Wainwright pumped his arms excitedly and jogged back to the dugout.

"I knew I had to make the throw to second or to throw to first, it was kind of one of those things where you've got to do what you've got to do," Kozma said. "If you make a great play regardless of where it is, it's going to make anybody feel good."