Friday’s Game Report: Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 4
By Rob Rains
The second half of the season got off to a good start for the Cardinals.
Ivan Herrera’s sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning broke a 4-4 tie and fellow All-Star Riley O’Brien pitched out of trouble in the bottom of the inning to secure the win on Friday night in Phoenix.
The Diamondbacks had rallied to tie the game in the eighth on Corbin Carroll’s two-run homer off Luis Gastelum.
In the ninth, Jose Fermin led off with a single and the Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk to Jimmy Crooks and a single by JJ Wetherholt in front of Herrera’s sacrifice fly.
Here is how Friday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: Masyn Winn drove in three runs for the Cardinals with a two-run single in the first inning and a sacrifice fly in the eighth … Wetherholt hit his 14th homer of the year with one out in the fifth inning. He also drew a walk, reaching base three times … Fermin, getting another start at third base, also had two of the Cardinals’ nine hits.
On the mound: Michael McGreevy worked 6 1/3 innings, coming out of the game after a one-out triple in the seventh. George Soriano was able to strand the runner and get out of the inning. McGreevy allowed six hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five … He lost his chance for the victory when Gastelum walked the leadoff batter in the eighth and then gave up the game-tying home run to Carroll … In the ninth, O’Brien also issued a leadoff walk but then picked off a pinch-runner at first. He also gave up a two-out double but then struck out Ketel Marte to end the game and collect his 25th save.
Key stat: The Cardinals held the Diamondbacks hitless in nine at-bats with a runner in scoring position as they left three runners stranded at third base, all of whom reached third with only one out in the inning.
Worth noting: JoJo Romero was placed on the 15-day injured list before Friday night’s game because of appendicitis. The Cardinals purchased the contract of right-hander Scott Blewett from Memphis. To open a spot for Blewett on the 40-man roster, catcher Yohel Pozo was designated for assignment … The Cardinals also announced that they have acquired right-hander Trey Pooser from Tampa Bay to complete the trade that sent Chris Roycroft to the Rays. Pooser, 24, was in high A with the Rays … The Cardinals have signed 11 of their top 13 picks from the top 10 rounds in the amateur draft and are expected to complete the signings of second-round pick Rocco Maniscalco and fifth-round pick Cal Randall in the next few days.
Up next: Dustin May will get the start on Saturday in the second game of the series.
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