Monday’s Game Report: Cardinals 8, Astros 3
By Rob Rains
Not giving up runs is becoming contagious among the Cardinals’ starting pitchers.
Sonny Gray blanked the Astros over seven innings on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Busch Stadium, the fourth time in the last six games the Cardinals’ starter did not allow a run.
The Cardinals came within one out of completing their second consecutive shutout and third in their last four games. That bid ended when Roddery Munoz allowed a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth.
Over the last six games, the starters combined have allowed four runs over 36 innings, an ERA of 1.00. Erick Fedde, Andre Pallante and Matthew Liberatore also didn’t allow a run in their last turn through the rotation.
Beginning with Liberatore’s start on Sunday, and including three innings from the bullpen, the Cardinals retired 41 of 45 batters before the Astros got consecutive singles with two outs in the eighth.
Here is how Monday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado were the offensive stars for the Cardinals. Donovan extended his hitting streak to 10 games and tied his career high with four hits, three singles and a double, driving in one run and scoring twice … Arenado had three hits, his second homer of the year and two doubles, driving in two runs and scoring twice … Pedro Pages also drove in two runs with a double … The Cardinals also got RBIs from Lars Nootbaar, Willson Contreras and Nolan Gorman.
On the mound: Gray allowed three hits – an infield single in the second, a leadoff double in the sixth and a single in the seventh. He walked one and struck out four, throwing a season-high 92 pitches … Ryan Fernandez retired the first two batters he faced in the eighth before giving up a pair of singles but was able to strand the runners … Munoz gave up a leadoff walk and a single before Jeremy Pena’s home run in the ninth.
Key stat: Donovan’s 4-of-4 night raised his batting average to .391, which leads the National League. During his 10-game hitting streak Donovan has gone 20-of-39.
Worth noting: Top pitching prospect Quinn Mathews was placed on the seven-day injured list at Memphis because of stiffness in his left shoulder. It has been a tough start to the season for Mathews, who is 0-2 in his three starts at Triple A with a 6.10 ERA. Mathews has walked 15 batters in just 10 1/3 innings.
Up next: Fedde, who worked six no-hit innings in his last start against the Pirates, will get the start on Tuesday night in the second game of the series.
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