Saturday’s Game Report: Cardinals 9, Guardians 6
By Rob Rains
The reality of the Cardinals falling behind by five runs when the Guardians scored six runs in the fourth inning off Miles Mikolas was simple.
They just knew they needed to score six runs, or more, if they wanted to win the game.
Two runs in the fifth cut the lead to 6-3 and the Cardinals then scored five more runs in the sixth to get the win in Cleveland. It was the largest comeback win of the year for the Cardinals. Their previous largest comeback was overcoming a 5-1 deficit on May 14 in Philadelphia.
A two-run single by Alec Burleson in the fifth started the comeback before the Cardinals strung together five consecutive hits in the sixth, tying the game on a two-run double from Victor Scott II.
Brendan Donovan, who homered on the first pitch of the game, drove in the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly.
Phil Maton got out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth to set the stage for Ryan Helsley to earn his 100th career save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Here is how Saturday’s game broke down:
At the plate: Masyn Winn had three of the Cardinals 14 hits and drove in the final run of the sixth with a ground out … Donovan’s leadoff homer came on the first pitch of the game; last done by Lars Nootbaar last season … Willson Contreras closed out the scoring with his 11th homer, leading off the ninth, to tie Nootbaar for the team lead … The five consecutive hits in the sixth were singles from Nootbaar, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Yohel Pozo and Scott II’s double, which came with the bases loaded … The home runs from Donovan and Contreras increased the Cardinals total in June to 33, the most they have hit in a month since they also hit 33 last July.
On the mound: Mikolas allowed only one hit and struck five hitters through the first three innings but then blew up in the fourth. The Guardians had six hits in the inning, including two homers, a triple and two doubles as they sent 10 batters to the plate … Matt Svanson pitched a 1-2-3 fifth and earned his first major-league victory because of the Cardinals’ rally … Steven Matz, on the 10th anniversary of his major-league debut, gave up only an infield hit in 1 2/3 innings before Maton extended his scoreless streak to 18 innings with his 1 1/3 innings of work. Two walks and a single loaded the bases in the eighth before an inning-ending strike out.
Key stat: Mikolas has gone six consecutive starts since his last win on May 23. Combined with Erick Fedde, no wins in his last eight starts, and Andre Pallante, one win in his last seven starts, the Cardinals have one win out of the trio’s last 21 combined starts.
Worth noting: Jordan Walker began what likely will be a short rehab assignment with Memphis on Saturday night, serving as the DH. He was 1-of-4 and drove in two runs. Walker is expected to play right field on Sunday. Walker is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday …
Up next: The Cardinals will send Matthew Liberatore to the mound on Sunday trying to complete the three-game series sweep. It is an early start, 11 05 a.m. St. Louis time, and will be televised on Roku TV.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains
