Sunday Preview:
ST. LOUIS, MO — After a solid team victory against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, and a disappointing blowout loss on Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals were poised to win Sunday afternoon in order to secure the series win.
The Cards would turn to Adam Wainwright, looking to get things back on track. Waino posted yet another quality start in his last outing vs. Cleveland, allowing two runs off four hits across seven innings with eight Ks. For the Twins, Michael Pineda would be on the mound. Pineda had a quality outing as well vs. Detroit, but took the no-decision after working six innings.
Series Finale Recap:
With runners on second and third and nobody out, the Twins pushed across two runs on the board after a base knock to center by Andrelton Simmons in the top of the second. Pineda the next play chopped a ball softly to Nolan Arenado who made a jump throw to induce an inning ending double play.
St. Louis tied the game at 2-2, courtesy of a double from Dylan Carlson, a single by Paul Goldschmidt, and some great base running during the bottom of the third.
A key at-bat came in the bottom of the fourth for the Cardinals. Waino lined one 110 mph off the bat to Twins third baseman Luis Arraez who made an errant throw to first which let the runner score, giving St. Louis a 3-2 lead.
The Cards’ bats continued to stay hot in the late innings. The bottom of the lineup did most of the damage, particularly Edmundo Sosa, who had a run scoring single in the sixth, and a solo home run which gave St. Louis some insurance in the eighth.
Mixed in with all that was a Yadier Molina base hit in the bottom of the fifth. With the knock, Yadi passed his old teammate Albert Pujols for 4th on the all-time Cardinals hits list. An incredible, well-earned achievement from an incredible player and human being.
Notables:
Wainwright (W, 9-6): 7 IP | 6 H | 3 ER | BB | 5 K
Carlson: 3-5 | 2 2B | RBI | SB | R
Edman: 2-4 | 2 2B | 2 R
Sosa: 3-3 | HR | 2 RBI | BB | 2 R
Thoughts and Reflection:
St. Louis wins it 7-3 over the Twins and moves back above the .500 mark, now at 53-52. A strong performance from Adam Wainwright (both on the mound and at the plate), an historic mark by Yadier Molina, and key offensive production from unlikely sources were the difference makers on Sunday.
The Cardinals have an off-day on Monday before beginning a three game series on Tuesday with the Atlanta Braves. Jon Lester, who was just traded from the Nationals on the trade deadline, will make his Cardinals debut against lefthander Max Fried. First pitch is at 7:15 PM CT. Make sure to tune in for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage.
© 2021 pohlmanperspectives.com
