Tuesday’s Game Report: Cardinals 5, Rockies 4
By Rob Rains
Tyler O’Neill has not gotten as many hits as he would have liked so far this season for the Cardinals, but on Tuesday night, he picked a great time to get hit.
O’Neill forced in the winning run against the Rockies when he was hit by a pitch with the base loaded in the ninth inning, giving the Cardinals the win at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out on two walks and a bunt single by Dylan Carlson, who was trying to move the runners up to second and third.
The win allowed the Cardinals to retain their 1 1/2 game division lead over the Brewers, who rallied for an 11th-inning win on Tuesday night over the Dodgers. .
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: Tommy Edman homered with one out in the fourth inning and Paul Goldschmidt’s two-run shot in the fifth, following a single by O’Neill, gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. The homer was the 29th of the season for Goldschmidt … After the Rockies took a 4-3 lead, Goldschmidt’s third RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly in the seventh put the Cardinals back in front … His three RBI increased his season total to 92 … Carlson’s bunt single was his third hit of the game, his first three-hit day since July 7. He had been 4-of-31 in his previous eight games.
On the mound: Jose Quintana did not allow a hit through the first five innings but gave up consecutive singles to the first four batters in the sixth, knocking him out of the game … Jordan Hicks came into the game with the bases loaded and allowed one of the inherited runners to score … Hicks left with two runners on base in the seventh and a double off Packy Naughton allowed both to score, giving the Rockies the lead … Giovanny Gallegos worked a perfect eighth and Ryan Helsley a 1-2-3 ninth, earning the victory.
Key stat: The Cardinals have won 10 consecutive games against the Rockies at Busch Stadium, dating back to 2018. Since 2012, the Cardinals are 27-5 against the Rockies in St. Louis.
Worth noting: The last time the Cardinals won on a walkoff hit by pitch was on Aug. 8, 2016 against the Reds when Yadier Molina was hit … Jack Flaherty made his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday night for Double A Springfield. He allowed two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings, striking out four. He threw 52 pitches. Flaherty is set to start for Springfield again on Sunday night … Juan Yepez was not able to complete his rehab assignment at Memphis when he was ill on Sunday. He returned to St. Louis and after he works out on Wednesday a decision will be made whether he will be activated or play another game or two in the minors.
Looking ahead: Jordan Montgomery will get the start on Wednesday night in the second game of the series.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
