If the St. Louis Cardinals season becomes something truly special later this year, you can look back to this weekend and recognize that this was that moment when the team and their fans kickstarted it all. The “Tarps Off Terrace” returned to Busch Stadium Saturday and the team responded with another victory over the overwhelmed Kansas City Royals.
Let’s start with a nod to Kyle Leahy who gave the St. Louis Cardinals one of his best starts of the year. You can tell that he’s starting to understand his vast arsenal of pitches and how that works as a starter instead of a middle reliever. Kyle pitched 6 strong innings allowing just 5 hits and 1 earned run. While he only struck out 2 and walked 3, he pitched himself out of a big bases-loaded jam in the top of the 2nd inning after he allowed 2 singles and a walk without allowing a run.
The Cardinals were the first on the board Saturday playing small ball in the bottom of the 1st inning. After Ivan Herrera hit a ground rule double into the seats down the first base line, Jordan Walker singled to left and then Herrera scored on a sacrifice fly by Alec Burleson making it 1-0 Cardinals. The Royals would tie the game in the top of the 5th inning when Maikel Garcia doubled into the left field corner and scored two batters later when Pasquantino singled evening the game 1-1.
The Cardinals would not wait long to untie the game as they rallied in the bottom of the 5th inning starting with a Thomas Saggese single followed by a hustle double from Nathan Church which advanced Saggese to third base. Victor Scott II grounded into a fielder’s choice to first base, but the throw home was not quick enough to get Saggese who scored with a evasive slide giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead which pleased the “tarps off terrace” group aka the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks baseball team. Masyn Winn followed that outburst with a sacrifice fly to score Nathan Church making it 3-1 Cardinals.
The “Tarps Off Terrace” was made possible by Manager Oli Marmol who picked up the cost of 1,500 tickets for both Saturday and Sunday’s games as he said they helped rally the team Friday night to an extra innings victory.
A fired up Gordon Graceffo pitched a clean top of the 7th inning only allowing a double to Isbel on a ball that was misjudged by Nathan Church. No harm done, though, as the Royals were unable to get him home. Justin Bruihl was chosen as the 8th inning guy tasked with keeping the Royals from making a game of it and he was successful with a drama-free effort.
The Cardinals would add to their lead in the bottom of the 8th inning when Victor Scott II singled to center. Masyn Winn reached on a fielder’s choice, but reached second on an errant throw by the pitcher Bailey Falter. Ivan Herrera then reached on a walk. After Jordan Walker flied out to left-center, Alec Burleson singled to left scoring Winn making it 4-1 Cardinals. Ivan Herrera could have scored on a throw that flew over third base into left field, but he seemed unaware that the ball was not still on the infield.
George Soriano was brought in to close out the game, but gave up a home run to Jac Caglianone cutting into the Cardinals lead 4-2. After Collins singled to center, the Kansas City Royals were allowed to bring the tying run up to the plate. Unfortunately (for them), that tying run potential turned into a game-ending double play.
Performances of note include two hits from both Nathan Church and Victor Scott II. Thomas Saggese did a fine job subbing for JJ Wetherholt who was given his first day off in as long as I can remember contributing a hit and solid defense at second base.
One final note on the shirtless phenomenon in Busch Stadium. The Cardinals shared a video about how it started and how the group was invited by Oli Marmol to meet the team today.
The Cardinals will try to sweep the Royals on Sunday as Andre Pallante will get the start for St. Louis. Kansas City will send Stephen Kolek to the mound. First pitch scheduled for 1:15pm central time in Busch Stadium.
