Thursday’s Game Report: Cardinals 8, Nationals 1
By Rob Rains
When C.J. Abrams hit the second pitch of the night from Miles Mikolas for a ground-rule double, there had to be at least some people thinking, ‘Here we go again.’
Making his first start since allowing a franchise-record six home runs, Mikolas was in need of a bounce-back start for the Cardinals, and that was not the way he wanted Thursday night’s game to begin.
It turned out, however, that Mikolas allowed only one other hit as he pitched into the sixth inning, and a five-run inning in the bottom of the sixth paved the way for the win over the Nationals.
Mikolas stranded Abrams at second by getting a strikeout, a popup and a groundout. He retired 13 batters in a row before Paul DeJong singled with one out in the fifth.
He was pulled from the game after issuing a two-out walk in the sixth, with the Cardinals leading 2-0 at the time.
The win ended a streak of seven consecutive starts without a win for Mikolas since his last victory on May 23. He had been 0-4 in those games with three no-decisions.
Here is how Thursday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: Seven Cardinals drove in at least one run … Alec Burleson had the first two RBIs, both times driving in Brendan Donovan, who had singled, in the first and third innings … Donovan also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the five-run sixth … The Cardinals had five hits and a walk in the inning in addition to Donovan’s sacrifice fly … Victor Scott II also stole his 23rd base in the inning, his first since June 23 … Willson Contreras capped the big offensive night with his 12th home run leading off the seventh, tying Lars Nootbaar for the team lead.
On the mound: Mikolas struck out six and got 10 groundball outs, coming out of the game after throwing 71 pitches … Steven Matz relieved and retired all four hitters he faced … The Cardinals lost the shutout bid when the Nationals turned a leadoff walk from Kyle Leahy into a run in the eighth inning.
Key stat: The home run from Contreras also was his team-leading 52nd RBI, tying his career-best pre-All Star game total set with the Cubs in 2019.
Worth noting: Manager Oli Marmol said before the game that Erick Fedde, winless in his last 10 starts, will get the start on Saturday. “We’re going to give him another shot at it,” Marmol said. Fedde was knocked out of his last start in Chicago in the second inning … Ivan Herrera began a rehab assignment Thursday night in Memphis. He was 1-of-3, and is expected to DH for four games before Sunday. Marmol also said that when Herrera returns he will only have limited catching assignments the rest of the season … Tekoah Roby pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out six … Jordan Walker hit a home run for Springfield in his rehab game at Corpus Christi.
Up next: Matthew Liberatore will get the start on Friday night as the Cardinals begin their final series before the All-Star break, hosting the Braves at Busch Stadium.
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