For half an inning or so, the Democratic congressional baseball team thought they had done it.

Broken the Republican’s winning streak, that is, which was extended to a decade long at Thursday night’s 47th annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game.

The Dems entered the bottom of the 7th ahead by two, at 8 - 10. With the bases loaded, the Republicans got a short hit to infield. A quick throw to the catcher eliminated the runner from third, but an attempt at a double play was missed by the first baseman.

The botched double play allowed the Republicans to score three runs - just enough to bring them ahead of the Democrats, 11 - 10, and end the game (at 11 p.m., arguably past the bedtimes of many members of Congress).

St. Louis’s very own Cardinals were represented twice, with Democratic Missouri Reps. Russ Carnahan and William Lacy Clay Jr. donning Cardinals’ uniforms for the occasion.

On the Republican side, Rep. John Shimkus wore a Southern Illinois Miners jersey and served as the Elephant’s star pitcher. Rep. Kenny Hulshof represented his hometown University of Missouri and served as their first baseman for much of the game. It was Hulshof’s last game, who has retired from Congress to pursue the gubernatorial seat in Missouri.

Highlights include Shimkus nearly beaning a Dem in the head, who then returned the favor, giving Shimkus a base in early innings. Clay got walked a few innings later and two batters later Carnahan loaded the bases by getting to first.

A switch of pitchers put Clay on third, Carnahan on first, Shimkus on the pitcher’s mound and Hulshof at first.

With so many bi-staters on one field, you’d think it was a pick up game in a Midwestern meadow.