After being shutout for just the seventh time all season on Tuesday night, the St. Louis Cardinals looked to rebound against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night in the series finale. And as the trade deadline loomed, the question remained: would Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak make a move?
And following an incident during Wednesday’s game, the question was more talked about than ever.
In the bottom of the first inning, after grounding into a double play, outfielder Matt Holliday, who grounded into a double play, struggled to leave the field and fell in the dugout, and appeared in serious pain. It was determined he had once again suffered a strained right-quad.
For the series finale, the starting pitchers were John Lackey (9-5, 2.88) and Anthony DeSclafani (5-7, 3.98).
The Reds were able to score first in the game during the top of the second inning, when Jay Bruce hit a solo home run just past the glove of Randal Grichuk to make it 1-0 Cincinnati. It was his 17th home run of the season.
Bruce’s solo shot to center field was the only blemish of the day for the veteran Lackey, who pitched another quality start, and allowing just two hits over eight innings. When he was taken out in the top of the ninth inning in favor of reliever Kevin Siegrist, his final line for the game was: 8.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 Ks.
During the game he reached the 100-strikeout mark… the 12th consecutive season that he has done so.
But on the opposite side, the Cardinals scoring struggles continued. All night, DeSclafani had their number, striking out three while only walking three batters, and allowing no runs during his seven innings of work.
Aroldis Chapman entered to pitch the ninth inning and close out the game. And the fast-throwing reliever did exactly that, pitching a 1-2-3 inning, as the Cardinals fell 1-0. It was the first time since 1990 they lost back to back home games against the Reds.
With the loss, the Cardinals are now 64-37, and 4.5 games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates for first place. Lackey drops to 9-6 on the year, and DeSclafani improves to 6-7. Chapman garnered his 21st save.
Holliday will be re-evaluated on Thursday for the injury that occurred in the first inning, as the Cardinals begin a four game series against the Colorado Rockies.
(AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
