Saturday’s Game Report: Rockies 8, Cardinals 6
By Rob Rains
When Jake McCarthy hit the first pitch of the game from Matthew Liberatore for a home run Saturday night, neither he nor the Cardinals knew it was the start of an historic night.
McCarthy hit another home run as part of a four-hit night, scored four runs, drove in three runs and stole two bases to carry the Rockies to the win at Busch Stadium.
He is the first player ever to have that statistical line against the Cardinals, according to baseballreference.com.
The Cardinals trailed 5-3 when McCarthy hit his second homer in the game, a two-run shot off Luis Gastelum in the sixth. He scored his final run in the ninth, providing more insurance when he had a bunt single, stole his second base, went to third on a balk and scored on a sacrifice fly.
In the first two games of the series, McCarthy has a combined seven hits in nine at-bats.
Here is how Saturday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: It also was a big night for Jose Fermin, who reached base in all five plate appearances with a double, single and three walks. He drove in the first two Cardinals runs with his first-inning double, then singled and scored in the ninth … Jordan Walker broke his long drought without a home run in the eighth, his 23rd of the season and first since July 9, ending a span of 94 at-bats without a home run … Between the fourth and eighth innings, the Cardinals received six walks and had a batter hit by a pitch but were only to score one of those runs, on an RBI single by Ivan Herrera, his third hit of those baserunners … The Cardinals were just 3-of-16 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners on base.
On the mound: Liberatore allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings. He has won only two of his last 11 starts … Gastelum walked the ninth-place hitter with two outs before giving up the second home run to McCarrthy … The final run scored off Peter Strzelecki.
Key stat: McCarthy’s two steals were part of a five stolen base night for the Rockies against Herrera, who hasn’t thrown out a runner trying to steal since Sept. 1, 2024. He has allowed 35 stolen bases this season.
Worth noting: Everson Pereira became the seventh different left fielder for the Cardinals in their 117 games this season – joining Lars Nootbaar, Nathan Church, Fermin, Bryan Torres and Thomas Saggese … Velazquez for designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Pereira, who was hit by a pitch and walked, scoring a run, in four plate appearances.
Up next: Michael McGreevy will get the start on Sunday in the final game of the series.
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