Sunday’s Game Report: Cardinals 5, Reds 3
By Rob Rains
Sometimes, like in the eighth inning on Sunday, putting the ball in play is all a hitter needs to do.
The Cardinals were reminded of that when Reds pitcher Sam Moll fielded a bunt from Victor Scott II and threw wildly to third base, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
Two batters later, shortstop Matt McLain booted a grounder from Ivan Herrera and another unearned run scored. The Cardinals went on to finish off the victory to sweep the three-game series at Busch Stadium.
The game was tied at 3 going to the bottom of the eighth when Jose Fermin and pinch-hitter Nelson Velazquez singled to begin the inning and put runners on first and second and set the stage for the winning rally.
It was the first series sweep for the Cardinals at home this season and their first against the Reds at Busch since 2021.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals only had six hits in the game, three coming in the fifth when they scored their first three runs. Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker hit back-to-back doubles and one out later Bryan Torres launched a two-run homer over the right field wall that wiped out the Reds’ 2-0 lead … They left the bases loaded in both the first and eighth innings, going 2-of-11 with a runner in scoring position. They won all three games in the series despite going a combined 9-of-38 with a runner on second or third.
On the mound: Both of the runs allowed by Michael McGreevy came in the span of eight pitches in the second inning when he gave up back-to-back homers to McLain and Tyler Stephenson. McGreevy left the game with a 3-2 lead after the sixth, throwing 83 pitches … McLain tied the game with his second homer, off George Soriano, in the seventh. He is the first Red to have a multi-homer game at Busch 3 since Jesse Winker homered three times in a 2021 game … Stephenson hit a one-out double off Riley O’Brien in the ninth to bring the potential tying run to the plate but O’Brien got two fly balls to end the game and earn his 17th save … The 7-8-9 hitters in the Reds lineup were a combined 6-of-12 while the 1-6 spots in the order had three hits in 25 at-bats.
Key stat: In the three-game series, the Cardinals feasted on the Reds bullpen, scoring a combined 13 runs in 12 innings. They recorded 13 hits and drew 10 walks against Reds relievers.
Worth noting: Oli Marmol will be one of the National League coaches for the All-Star Game next month as a member of manager Dave Roberts’ coaching staff … Fermin made his first career start at shortstop as Masyn Winn got the day off. During the homestand, Fermin started two games in left field, one in center field, one at third base and the one at shortstop. Earlier this season he started a game at first base and he has finished two games in right field … Nathan Church hit a game-tying home run in the eighth inning for Memphis, his only hit in five at-bats. He played the complete game in center field … Tink Hence made his second appearance as the opener for Memphis, recording a scoreless inning. After giving up a leadoff double, he retired the next three batters.
Up next: The team left after the game and will spend Monday’s day off in New York before opening a three-game series on Tuesday night against the Mets. The trip also will include three games against the Twins in Minnesota.
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