Michael McGreevy’s first start of the 2026 season was nearly a historic one as he threw 6 innings of no-hit ball, but the St. Louis Cardinals had to rely on extra inning heroics by JJ Wetherholt to eventually beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5.
Michael McGreevy was dealing as he shut down Tampa Bay not allowing a runner for the first 3 innings. The Rays didn’t reach base until Ramón Urías was unable to handle an infield dribbler that was ruled an error. McGreevy was helped by solid defense behind him as Ivan Herrera made a great play on a pop-out behind home plate in the top of the 4th inning. In the 6th inning, JJ Wetherholt made a leaping grab on a liner over 2nd to keep the no-hit bid intact. Michael McGreevy was taken out of the game after 6 full innings leaving with 96 pitches.
The St. Louis offense got off to a fast start playing small ball in the top of the 1st inning when JJ Wetherholt reached on an infield single, stole 2nd, was moved to 3rd on a flyball to right by Ivan Herrera and then scored on a single by Alec Burleson. Alec then stole 2nd and then scored on a single by Nolan Gorman.
The St. Louis Cardinals bullpen looked like it would do its job with Riley O’Brien allowing the first hit in the top of the 7th, but then getting Mullins to ground into a double play. JoJo Romero covered the 8th inning getting an assist by Victor Scott II who made a nice diving catch in center.
St. Louis added to the lead in the bottom of the 8th when Jordan Walker walked and VSII reached on a bunt single. Both runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a wild pitch, but JJ Wetherholt was unable to advance them when he broke his bat and popped out to short. Ivan Herrera picked him up when he cracked a double to deep right center scoring Jordan Walker. Victor Scott II scored on a sac fly by Alec Burleson to make it 4-0 Cardinals.
Trouble arrived in the 9th inning when Matt Svanson came in to close out the game. He gave up a broken bat single to start the inning, but got Fraley to pop out. Caminero walked, but Cedric Mullins popped out to third. Simpson reached on an infield hit as JJ Wetherholt tried to get him by flipping the ball to Burleson directly out of his glove (unsuccessfully) which allowed the Rays their first run of the game. Ryne Stanek was brought in to get the final out, but gave up a single allowing the Rays to get within a run at 4-3. Stanek gave up a single to Fortes which brought in the tying run. Stanek managed to get a ground ball out to stop the Rays rally leaving the game tied 4-4.
After the Cardinals went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th, Stanek remained in the game for the 10th when he promptly gave up a single to give the Rays a 5-4 lead. He was helped by a strike-them-out, throw-them-out double play in the top of the 10th to hold Tampa Bay to just a one run lead.
Nathan Church was the automatic runner in the top of the 10th. Tampa Bays relief pitcher Jax walked Jordan Walker. Victor Scott II successfully laid down a bunt to move both runners over and then JJ Wetherholt walked off the game with a single to right field scoring both Church and Walker.
Saturday’s win helps the St. Louis Cardinals maintain their perfect 2-0 start to the 2026 season. Dustin May is scheduled to start for the Cardinals on Sunday as St. Louis will try to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays.
