Randal Grichuk.
What more can be said of him ever since he got called back up from the minor leagues a few weeks ago?
Well, for one, he’s been on an absolute tear. And for the second night in a row, he’s come through in the clutch, helping the Cardinals achieve victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
On Monday night, Grichuk hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning en route to a 6-5 Cardinals victory. Tonight, in the top of the tenth inning, he hit an RBI-single to give them the 2-1 lead (and victory). Both instances came against Brewers pitcher Corey Knebel.
It was a stalemate for much of the evening. Adam Wainwright, on his 35th birthday, had his best start all month, going seven strong innings, allowing just three hits, one run, while striking out seven. A solo home run by Jedd Gyorko in the sixth gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead (and tied him with Brandon Moss for the team lead in home runs).
They have also tied a franchise record by hitting a home run in 19 straight games.
Milwaukee bounced right back by tying the game in the bottom of the sixth, however, thanks to an RBI double by Martin Maldonado.
In the top of the tenth inning, Jhonny Peralta led off with a single. Yadier Molina then hit his 300th career double, putting Peralta at third for Grichuk. Jeremy Hazelbaker then entered the game to pinch-run for Molina. But while he never got the chance to cross home, Grichuk still gave the Cardinals the lead.
Once again, the bullpen almost blew the lead when Matt Bowman walked three batters in the bottom of the tenth. It all came up to Zach Duke, who bailed out Bowman and the Cardinals, while notching his first save since joining the team.
The Cardinals possess baseball’s best road record, at 40-24, and are now 70-61 this season (30 wins coming against division rivals).
The series finale is Wednesday, as Luke Weaver looks to notch his second win with the Cardinals.
