Walk-Off! St. Louis Cardinals Win on Kolten Wong's Dramatic Home Run

— -- The sphere disappeared into the stands, into the night, into October folklore.

St. Louis rookie second baseman Kolten Wong was Sunday’s hero, capping a comeback win in dramatic fashion, a walk-off home run to give the Cardinals a 5-4 victory in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.

The Cardinals fell behind in the game 3-2, but rallied with home runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings against the Giants’ bullpen. With the St. Louis victory, the best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, with the teams now heading to San Francisco for three games.

Wong, who celebrated his 24th birthday Friday, hit 12 home runs during the regular season. Sunday’s at-bat represents the biggest highlight of his career. The Hawaii native led off the bottom of the ninth inning against Giants closer Sergio Romo.

After a first-pitch strike, Wong connected, the ball jumping off of his bat and flashing over the right field fence.

The crowd erupted. Wong pumped his fists as he rounded the bases, tossing his helmet and side-stepping as he neared home plate. As Romo slunk away, Wong’s teammates waited, ready to douse him with anything they could find: water bottles, cups of Gatorade, adoration.

The rookie’s jersey was torn apart during the celebration.

Wong’s hit marks the fourth walk-off home run in Cardinals playoff history, and the first since David Freese in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers.

The win comes at a cost for St. Louis, with catcher Yadier Molina suffering a strained oblique muscle during the game.