On a scorching day at Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. This win saw the Cardinals improve their record to 74-79, while the Brewers, who remain at the top of the NL Central, dropped to 94-59. The game lasted just over two hours, with the first pitch at 6:37 PM.
The Cardinals struck early, putting a run on the board in the first inning and adding another in the second. Meanwhile, the Brewers managed to score their lone run in the third inning off a home run by Sal Frelick. Despite their 12 hits, the Brewers struggled to capitalize further.
Cardinals’ Offensive Surge
In the fifth inning, the Cardinals broke the game wide open with a five-run explosion. Nolan Arenado was instrumental, racking up three RBIs and hitting a crucial double. Contributions from players like Jordan Walker and Thomas Saggese were also key to this offensive onslaught.
Arenado’s presence in the lineup proved vital, as he, alongside Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson, added doubles to their names. Each of these plays significantly helped in cushioning the Cardinals’ lead and ensuring the Brewers never caught up.
Sonny Gray’s Commanding Pitching
Sonny Gray delivered a masterful performance on the mound for the Cardinals. He pitched six innings, allowing nine hits but just one earned run while striking out seven. Gray’s efforts improved his season record to 13-8 with a 4.43 ERA.
After Gray, Giovanny Graceffo and Junior Fernandez took the helm, ensuring the Brewers remained scoreless for the rest of the game. The Cardinals’ bullpen effectively contained Milwaukee’s hitters, with both pitchers combining for four strikeouts over the last three innings.
Brewers’ Pitching Struggles
Jacob Misiorowski, who took the mound for the Brewers, faced challenges early on. He lasted just over three innings, giving up five hits and two runs. His early exit brought in the bullpen, where Robbie Zastryzny and Gus Anderson struggled to stem the tide, particularly in the pivotal fifth inning.
While Joel Payamps and Tyson Myers provided some stability in the later innings, it was too late to reverse the damage. The Brewers pitchers combined for only five strikeouts and allowed 14 hits over the course of the game.
The weather played a notable role in this matchup, with clear skies and temperatures soaring to 100 degrees. The heat may have impacted player performance, particularly the Brewers, who are more accustomed to the cooler confines of American Family Field.
Despite the loss, the Brewers continue to hold a strong position at the top of the NL Central. Their next challenge will be to adapt and regroup as they face the Cardinals again in the remaining games of the series.
On the other hand, the Cardinals’ victory provides a morale boost as they look to finish the season on a high note. This win highlighted their ability to compete against top teams, even in a season where playoff hopes are slim.
Looking ahead, both teams will have the opportunity to make adjustments as they prepare for the upcoming games. For the Brewers, addressing pitching inconsistencies will be crucial, while the Cardinals will aim to build on this offensive display.
The Cardinals and Brewers will clash again on Saturday at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM. Fans can expect another intense game as the series progresses.
