Back on Track at Busch
The St. Louis Cardinals needed a win before the Philadelphia Phillies arrive, and they got it in a tight 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. This series win was vital for the team chasing a Wild Card spot, especially since they’d been flirting with mediocrity all week. The Cardinals wrapped up a three-game set with a late rally that saved the day, proving they can grind out a result even when the lineup looks stagnant. It was a messy game that ended right, which is often the best kind of baseball because you don’t need a masterpiece to get the job done.
Sunday’s start looked like Saturday’s mess.
The Rockies jumped out early when Jake McCarthy hit a leadoff double off Michael McGreevy. A bunt single by Carrigg put two runners on with no outs. McGreevy escaped the jam with a double play, but the damage was done. Hunter Goodman later drove in a run to make it 1-0 for Colorado. The Cardinals had to dig deep just to get back in the game, digging through the kind of early-inning fog that usually leads to a blowout loss instead of a comeback.
Big Hits in the Middle
St. Louis answered immediately in the bottom of the first. JJ Wetherholt drew a walk, and Iván Herrera reached on an infield hit. Jordan Walker then smacked an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. The offense found its groove in the third inning. Herrera singled, and Alec Burleson walked. Walker flew out to deep center, but both runners advanced. Jimmy Crooks hit a sacrifice fly to score Herrera. Masyn Winn then crushed an 83 mph changeup off the wall to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead.
The highlight of the night came in the sixth inning.
Alec Burleson connected on a 91 mph sinker for a massive home run. Per Viva El Birdos, he launched the ball 441 feet into the right-centerfield stands. The crowd erupted as the lead grew to 4-1. It was one of the loudest contacts at Busch Stadium all season. That shot felt like a statement that the bats were finally awake, a necessary reminder that the offense isn’t dead, just dormant.
Hold On for the Win
The lead did not last long.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, McGreevy got hit hard. Castro ripped a double off the right-field wall. Brett Sullivan then homered off a 91 mph sinker to cut the lead to 4-3. Justin Bruihl stepped in to finish the sixth and pitch the seventh without allowing more runs. He kept the door shut when it mattered most, stopping the bleeding before the Rockies could find a way to steal it.
Many fans know the fear of holding a one-run lead late in the game. The Cardinals showed they can handle that pressure. The team threatened to add more runs in the bottom of the seventh to seal the deal. They needed this win to build confidence before facing a tough division rival. The bats unloaded when it counted, and the pitching held the line. This is the kind of gritty win that wins playoff races.
The focus now shifts to the Phillies. That series will be a true test of where this team stands. If the bats can keep firing like they did against Colorado, the Wild Card race stays alive. The Cardinals proved they can win ugly and still take the W. That is a good sign for the stretch run.
