Thursday’s Game Report: Diamondbacks 10, Cardinals 6
By Rob Rains
When the first four batters for the Cardinals each got a hit, producing two runs, it seemed maybe they were headed for a better offensive day on Thursday at Busch Stadium.
Those hopes were short-lived, however.
The first-inning runs turned out to be the only runs the Cardinals scored until a four-run rally in the ninth inning, when they were trailing 10-2. Michael McGreevy could not hold the early lead as the Diamondbacks won the game, which was a makeup for a game that was rained out earlier this season.
Arizona blew open a 4-2 game with five runs in the eighth off the Cardinals’ bullpen.
Scoring runs has been a problem for the Cardinals at home lately. Their four-run rally in the ninth inning made this only the second time in their last 18 games at home that they have scored more than four runs.
In their last three games before returning home, the Cardinals scored a combined four runs against the Angels.
In their last 15 games, the Cardinals have been outscored 31-8 after the seventh inning.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
At the plate: After scoring the two runs in the first, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with only one out but could not bring in any more runs … They had just four more hits until the ninth, when they strung together four consecutive two-out hits, leading to the four runs. Bryan Torres drove in two of the runs with a pinch-hit single and Lars Nootbaar driving in the other two with a single.
On the mound: McGreevy allowed three runs in the fourth, two coming on a home run by Tyler Locklear, and another run in the fifth before leaving the game with one out in the seventh … The five runs in the eighth for Arizona came off Justin Bruihl and Matt Svanson … The final run in the ninth came against Gordon Graceffo.
Key stat: Walker’s RBI double in the first inning marked the first extra-base hit, and only the second RBI, that the Cardinals have got out of the second spot in the batting order in the last 13 games, dating back to July 7.
Worth noting: After playing in the first 101 games of the season, Ivan Herrera got the day off on Thursday. Herrera has been struggling offensively, hitting only .210 since June 1 … The Cardinals are planning on keeping Hunter Dobbins on the major-league roster until his next start. “That’s plan A,” said manager Oli Marmol. “If we need to make an adjustment we will.” The move means the Cardinals will be playing one pitcher short in the bullpen … Right-hander Max Rajcic announced on Instagram Thursday that he underwent Tommy John surgery. He already was on the 60-day injured list but now will likely miss all of 2027 as well … Catcher Yohel Pozo was claimed by the Orioles off waivers from the Cardinals and optioned to Triple A Norfolk. Pozo had been designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Scott Blewett when JoJo Romero went on the injured list … Infielder Ramon Urias is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend in Memphis.
Up next: Dustin May will get the start on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Reds at Busch Stadium.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains
