Tuesday’s Game Report: Cardinals 3, Mets 0
By Rob Rains
There were two reasons why Tuesday night was a good night for Ivan Herrera, and thus for the Cardinals.
After struggling offensively in the first four games of the season with just two hits in 17 at-bats, Herrera had the key hit – a two-run double – in the win over the Mets at Busch Stadium.
Herrera also started behind the plate and caught a three-hit shutout from starter Andre Pallante and four relievers.
If that wasn’t enough to make it an enjoyable night, Herrera also had the team’s first two successful challenges of a called strike with the ABS system, on the same at-bat in the fifth, with the overturned calls leading to a walk.
The Cardinals had lost 10 of their last 12 games against the Mets and recorded only their second shutout over the Mets in the last 10 years and the first at Busch Stadium since 2017.
Here is how Tuesday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: Victor Scott II led off the third inning with a double and went to third on a single by JJ Wetherholt, who took second on the throw to the plate. Herrera then drove in both of the runners with his second double of the season … Ramon Urias increased the lead to 3-0 with his first Cardinals’ home run in the seventh … The only other hit for the Cardinals after the third was a single by Scott following Urias’ homer … Wetherholt had two hits while Herrera and Alec Burleson each drew two walks … They got the win despite striking out 11 times, three by Nathan Church.
On the mound: The only hits allowed by Pallante were a single by Juan Soto in the first, a single by Jared Young in the fourth and a leadoff double by Soto in the sixth. Pallante walked three and struck out three … He left with two runners on base in the sixth but Gordon Graceffo got out of the inning on just three pitches, getting a fly out and a line-drive double play when Bo Bichette was doubled off first … Ryne Stanek pitched around a one-out walk in the seventh before JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien each retired the side in order in the final two innings.
Key stat: This was the third catching shutout for Herrera in his major-league career, the first since April 9, 2024 against the Phillies.
Worth noting: Graceffo was recalled from Memphis before the game when Matt Pushard was placed on the injured list because of tendinitis in his right knee … Hunter Dobbins began a rehab assignment on Tuesday night at Memphis and worked five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three.
Up next: Matthew Liberatore will make his second start of the season on Wednesday in the finale of the series and the season-opening homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.
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