Sunday’s Game Report: Royals 2, Cardinals 1
By Rob Rains
One of the keys to the Cardinals’ recent success has been getting a big hit just when they needed it the most.
On Sunday, it was the Royals who were able to do that.
After Matthew Liberatore limited the Royals to one run through six innings, Chris Roycroft allowed a triple on his first pitch in the seventh and a single on his second pitch to break the 1-1 tie and send the Royals to the win in the final game of the series in Kansas City.
The loss completed a 7-2 road trip for the Cardinals and was only their second loss in their last 14 games.
The Cardinals had 12 hits in the game, but also went hitless in eight at-bats with a runner in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
At the plate: Alec Burleson’s fourth homer of the season produced the only run for the Cardinals, with one out in the fourth … Brendan Donovan had a four-hit game and his double with one out in the ninth put the tying run on base, but Nolan Arenado fouled out and Willson Contreras flew out to end the game … The Cardinals had at least one hit in every inning and four times put their leadoff hitter on base but none of those runners were able to come around and score … Ivan Herrera had another two-hit game, as did Yohel Pozo.
On the mound: The only run allowed by Liberatore also scored in the fourth when Hunter Renfroe led off with a double and scored on a two-out double by ninth-place hitter Dairon Blanco … Liberatore scattered six hits, walked one and struck out five. It was his seventh consecutive game allowing no more than two runs … Roycroft was greeted by pinch-hitter Drew Waters with the triple, followed by the RBI single from Maikel Garcia … JoJo Romero pitched around a single and intentional walk in the eighth to keep it a one-run game.
Key stat: In going 7-2 on the trip to Washington, Philadelphia and Kansas City the Cardinals had a plus 26 run differential and both of their losses came in 2-1 games. For the season they have outscored their opponents by 48 runs in their 47 games.
Worth noting: This was Donovan’s second four-hit game of the season and increased his hit total for the season to 58 in 45 games, raising his average to .330 … The Cardinals’ starting pitchers have not been charged with a loss since May 2, a span of 14 games … Herrera’s two hits left him 13-of-28 on the road trip after he came off the injured list … Nolan Gorman started only twice during the nine-game trip … Top prospect JJ Wetherholt homered for the second game in a run Sunday for Springfield. He is now hitting .296.
Up next: The Cardinals return home on Monday night to begin a three-game series against the Tigers. Sonny Gray is the scheduled starter. Former Cardinal Jack Flaherty is set to start the final game of the series on Wednesday.
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