Friday’s Game Report: Red Sox 13, Cardinals 9
By Rob Rains
The way the Cardinals offense has begun this season, facing a 5-0 deficit after the first inning didn’t seem quite as big of an obstacle to overcome as it did the last couple of years.
Trailing by seven runs going to the ninth inning, however, was a little more challenging and one they couldn’t quite pull off – even though they did score three runs and got the potential tying run to the plate with the bases loaded.
That hitter was Ivan Herrera, who earlier in the game had hit his fourth homer in the span of six at-bats, but this time he grounded into a game-ending double play and the Red Sox hung on to win Friday’s opener of the three-game series in Boston.
The Cardinals had rallied to cut the Boston lead to 6-5 in the fifth and 8-6 in the seventh but the St. Louis bullpen allowed five runs in the seventh and eighth to provide a big enough cushion for the win in the Cardinals’ first road game of the year.
Here is how Friday’s game broke down:
At the plate: Herrera’s home run was a three-run shot, giving him nine RBIs in his last two games … Brendan Donovan also had a home run as part of his three-hit day, driving in three runs … Alec Burleson also had three of the Cardinals’ 13 hits but struck out for the first time in 21 at-bats … Lars Nootbaar reached base three more times on a single, double and error and scored two runs … After striking out three times and hitting into a double play, Willson Contreras singled to drive in a run in the ninth-inning rally … Two misplays by the Red Sox helped out the Cardinals in the inning, with Donovan and Nolan Arenado getting singles before pinch-hitter Luken Baker drew a walk against Aroldis Chapman to load the bases and bring Herrera to the plate.
On the mound: The five-run first inning came off Erick Fedde, who gave up a three-run homer to Trevor Story and a homer to Wilyer Abreu on consecutive pitches. Fedde gave up another run in the third before he was relieved by Steven Matz, who allowed two runs in his three innings of work … The additional damage from the Red Sox came against Ryan Fernandez (three runs) and John King (two runs) … Combined the five pitchers gave up 16 hits and issued eight walks, with four of the walks coming around to score.
Key stat: The Cardinals tied the franchise record with their seventh consecutive game with 10 or more hits to begin the season, last accomplished in 1956. They have scored 51 runs, an average of 7.3 runs per game, and have a combined .302 average.
Worth noting: Before the game the Cardinals placed Nolan Gorman on the 10-day injured list because of a hamstring strain. The move was backdated to Wednesday. Gorman was hurt running the bases in Tuesday night’s game. Thomas Saggese was recalled from Memphis to take his spot on the roster … The Red Sox stole two bases against Herrera, who is 0-of-7 this year in throwing out baserunners and is now 6-of-73 in his career … The season-openers for Double A Springfield and High A Peoria on Friday night were postponed because of rain.
Up next: Andre Pallante will make his second start of the season in the second game of the series on Saturday.
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