Thursday’s Game Report: Cardinals 10, Giants 0
Anytime a starting pitcher drives in more runs than the number of hits he allows in a game, there is a really good chance it’s going to be a good day.
That was what happened for Dakota Hudson on Thursday in the Cardinals’ blowout win over the Giants at Busch Stadium.
Hudson’s single to right field with the bases loaded drove in two runs, part of a five-run third inning. It was the first RBIs of his major-league career, coming in his 45th at-bat. He had been 2-of-44 prior to that at-bat.
On the mound, Hudson allowed only one hit over six innings, the second time this year he has gone six or more innings and allowed no more than one hit. The only hit off Hudson was a single by Kevin Pillar with one out in the second inning.
It was the fourth time in his last five starts that Hudson has worked at least six innings and not allowed a run.
Hudson became the fourth Cardinals’ rookie since the expansion era (1961) to reach 15 wins in his rookie season, joining Dick Hughes (16 wins) in 1967, Lance Lynn (18) in 2012 and Shelby Miller (15) in 2013. He likely has four more starts remaining before the end of the season.
The Cardinals concluded a 6-2 homestand with their 21st win in their last 27 games.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: A two-run homer by Paul DeJong, his second in two days and 26th of the season, capped a three-run first inning before the Cardinals sent 10 hitters to the plate in the five-run third, collecting six singles and a walk. Four of the hits and the walk came with two outs … Rangel Ravelo hit his first career homer, a two-run shot, in the eighth … It was the ninth pinch-hit homer for the Cardinals, from seven different players … Marcell Ozuna and Randy Arozarena were the only starters without a hit although Arozarena walked twice, had a stolen base and scored a run … Ozuna was 0-of-4 and now has just two hits in his last 31 at-bats … Yadier Molina’s RBI single in the third extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
On the mound: Hudson walked two and struck out two as he lowered his ERA for the season to 3.40. Ten of his 18 outs came on ground balls … Hudson has won his last five starts, allowing a total of four runs – all in his last start in Milwaukee – over 32 1/3 innings, and just 12 hits … The Cardinals are 9-2 in Hudson’s 11 starts since the All-Star break … Genesis Cabrera, recalled from Memphis at the start of the month, worked the final three innings. He allowed three singles while striking out three in completing the Cardinals’ 11th shutout of the season and earning his first career save. It was the seventh shutout by the Cardinals since Aug. 1.
Key stat: The Cardinals’ starting pitchers combined to work 23 scoreless innings in the four games against the Giants. Adam Wainwright went seven shutout innings on Monday; Jack Flaherty eight shutout innings on Tuesday and Michael Wacha two scoreless inning in his abbreviated start on Wednesday. Combined in the 23 innings the four starters allowed eight hits, walked four and struck out 13.
Worth noting: DeJong’s 26 homers are the most ever in a season by a Cardinals’ shortstop … Arozarena became the 19th player with at least one stolen base this season. The only position players on the roster without a stolen base are Ravelo and backup catcher Joe Hudson, who has yet to appear in a game since he was called up from Memphis … Kolten Wong’s younger brother, Kean, was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday and made his major-league debut, playing second base, against Toronto.
Looking ahead: The Cardinals open a three-game series in Pittsburgh on Friday night with Miles Mikolas the scheduled starter. He will be followed by Adam Wainwright on Saturday and Jack Flaherty on Sunday. The Cardinals also will play three games in Colorado on this trip before returning home.
Post-Game: Mike Shildt interview:
