Thursday’s Game Report: Reds 9, Cardinals 1
By Rob Rains
Matthew Liberatore’s streak of working at least six innings ended after five games on Thursday but it was not because of his performance on the mound.
What ended the streak was a 97-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth inning that forced Liberatore out of the game after throwing only 42 pitches in three innings.
The Cardinals were losing 2-1 at the time and the Reds blew the game open against the bullpen to post the victory in Cincinnati.
A two-out walk and a home run by Jose Trevino in the second inning made Liberatore the losing pitcher.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals only run scored on an error in the third inning and they did not have a baserunner after the game resumed following the rain delay as the Reds retired 15 batters in a row … Their three hits were all singles, by Yohel Pozo in the second and by Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado in the third, which led to Donovan scoring on the error by Elly De La Cruz … They had only two at-bats with a runner in scoring position.
On the mound: The walk from Liberatore was only the third he has issued in 34 innings this season and Trevino’s homer was only the second off Liberatore this season … Matt Svanson allowed two runs, Riley O’Brien was charged with three runs, two of which scored after he was relieved by John King. King also gave up two runs of his own.
Key stat: The Cardinals have lost the last game of all five road series they have played this year as they fell to 4-13 away from Busch Stadium.
Worth noting: The Cardinals announced that they have traded reliever Ryan Loutos, a Washington University graduate, to the Dodgers for cash considerations. Loutos had been designated for assignment on Monday when Jose Barrero was added to the major-league roster … Ivan Herrera began a rehab assignment at Memphis on Thursday. After striking out in two of his first three at-bats he hit a three-run homer in his final at-bat. Herrera was the DH but is scheduled to catch five innings on Friday … This year’s class for the Cardinals Hall of Fam will be announced prior to Friday night’s game.
Up next: The Cardinals return home to host the Mets in a three-game series beginning on Friday night at Busch Stadium on a homestand that also will include three games against the Pirates. Sonny Gray is the scheduled starter on Friday night. The Mets swept the Cardinals in a four-game series in mid April in New York.
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