Chicago, IL (Best E Casino) - Henry Blanco singled home the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning off Ryan Franklin to give the Cubs a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Bob Howry (5-4) was credited with the win by throwing a scoreless inning of relief behind starter Ted Lilly, who took a no decision after allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks through 7 1/3 innings. Jim Edmonds connected on two solo home runs in Chicago's third straight win.

"It's a little odd to play against a group of individuals that have been so close for so long," said Edmonds, who spent his eight previous seasons in St. Louis. "It's like playing in the back yard with your family. But you've got to separate and move on."

Cardinals starter Braden Looper took a no decision for his seven-inning effort, surrendering a pair of runs on six hits. Adam Kennedy and Joe Mather each had two hits and an RBI, with Mather's knock coming via a home run, as St. Louis dropped their fourth game in six tries and fell seven games behind Chicago for the NL Central lead.

Franklin (4-5), in his second inning of relief, walked Derrek Lee to open the home 11th, while Aramis Ramirez followed with a single to the opposite field to put runners on the corners. Franklin intentionally gave Kosuke Fukudome a free pass, and Blanco smacked a line-drive single to left field to cap the extra-inning dramatics.

"I knew they were going to walk Kosuke," said Blanco. "[Manager] Lou [Piniella] told me to look for a slider first pitch. They gave me a fastball to hit."

Edmonds and Mather traded solo round-trippers in the second and third inning, respectively, and the Cardinals ran themselves out of a run in the fifth.

With one away, Cesar Izturis doubled and advanced to third on Edmonds' throwing error. But Looper failed to put down a suicide squeeze and Geovany Soto tagged out a helpless Izturis to keep the score tied.

The Cardinals did take the lead in the sixth, however. With no one out and runners in scoring position, Kennedy grounded to second to bring in a run. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Troy Glaus flied out deep to left, and Alfonso Soriano threw a perfect strike to throw out Mather at the plate to maintain the Cubs' one-run deficit.

Edmonds made the assist count in the seventh, smacking a solo homer to left field, his 15th of the year, to tie the game.

The Cardinals had the go-ahead run 90 feet away with two outs in the top of the ninth. Skip Schumaker attempted to lay down a surprise bunt, but second baseman Mark DeRosa barehanded the bouncer and narrowly threw out Schumaker to end the threat.

Game Notes

Edmonds also hit two home runs against Milwaukee on July 31...The Cubs' Soto and Ryan Theriot, as well as St. Louis' Izturis each had two hits. Izturis also had two stolen bases...Jeff Samardzija tossed two scoreless innings of relief for Chicago...The Cubs lead the season series, 4-3.