Monday’s Game Report: Cardinals 10, Angels 5
By Rob Rains
For the first six innings Monday night, the Cardinals’ game in Anaheim looked like far too many they have played this season with two hits, no runs and a failed opportunity with the bases loaded.
Then came the seventh inning, which didn’t resemble any inning the Cardinals had played this season.
They trailed 4-0 when the inning began, with a home run from Nolan Arenado, and by the time the inning ended the Cardinals had sent 14 batters to the plate and scored eight runs, propelling them to the win over the Angels.
The Cardinals had seven hits in the inning, including two-strike hits from Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, Matt Carpenter and Ivan Herrera, and also drew three walks and had a batter, Paul Goldschmidt hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Carpenter’s two-run single tied the game.
It was the second comeback win in a row for the Cardinals, who rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Brewers on Sunday in Milwaukee.
Here is how Monday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals had 10 hits, their third consecutive double-digit game, and also drew eight walks, three of which came around to score … The 10 runs were the most they have scored in a game this season … Every Cardinal hitter in the seventh inning reached base at least once except pinch-hitter Alec Burleson, who flied out … Nolan Gorman had a hit and a walk and Herrera had two hits in the inning, including his two-run single, while Brendan Donovan reached base twice on a hit and a walk … The Cardinals added two runs in the ninth thanks to two errors by the Angels.
On the mound: Matthew Liberatore allowed four of the Angels runs in the third inning before the bullpen took over in dominating fashion … Kyle Leahy picked up his first career win by retiring all eight hitters he faced … John King also retired all five of the hitters he faced … The only run allowed by the bullpen came against Ryan Fernandez, who failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced.
Key stat: The Cardinals previous high for runs scored in an inning this season was five, accomplished most recently on May 4 against the White Sox.
Worth noting: Reliever Keynan Middleton, who has been sidelined since the middle of spring training because of a flexor tendon sprain, is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Double A Springfield … Arenado’s homer was the first of his career in Anaheim. He had 17 career at-bats at the stadium before Monday night’s game … The Cardinals are promoting left-handed pitcher Quinn Mathews from Palm Beach to Peoria. The fourth-round pick in last year’s draft from Stanford, Mathews had been 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 30 innings … The start time for Sunday’s home game against the Red Sox has been moved to 12:05 p.m. It will be streamed on Roku TV as part of a new early Sunday package of MLB games.
Looking ahead: Sonny Gray will get the start on Tuesday night in the second game of the series.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
