By MATT PIKE
The St. Louis Cardinals snapped a short two game losing skid, bouncing back in shutout fashion as the Redbirds pitching staff gave up just three hits overall, and allowed seven baserunners, on way to a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets at Busch Stadium.
After both teams went through the first two innings with just two total hits, and four overall baserunners, the Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard in the third inning. Victor Scott II led the inning off with his first double of the season, and JJ Wetherholt followed that with his second single of the game, advancing to second base on the throw from center field, before both runners scored on a two run double by Iván Herrera. Following the double, Mets starter Kodai Senga settled down and retired the next three batters, leaving St. Louis up 2-0.
Keeping the shutout alive, the Cardinals also showed some brilliance in the field. In the sixth inning, St. Louis faced some danger with one out after Juan Soto doubled to lead off the inning and Bo Bichette walked. Gordon Graceffo replaced starter Andre Pallante on the mound with no outs and forced Luis Robert Jr to fly out, moving Soto to third, and with runners on the corners shortstop Masyn Winn, a gold glove winner, showed off his cannon of an arm as he snagged a line drive from Jared Young for an out and fired the ball to first baseman Alec Burleson, his foot on the bag forcing Bichette out for the double play.
In the bottom of the seventh inning St. Louis added the run of insurance it needed, on an 0-1 count Ramón Urías hit his first home run of the season, and first in a Cardinals uniform to push the lead to 3-0. After JoJo Romero threw a scoreless, hitless eighth inning with a strikeout, Riley O'Brien came on for his first save opportunity of the season, also giving up no hits in a scoreless frame securing his first save.
Pallante threw five shutout innings and give up three hits, walking three and striking out three. Ryne Stanek also walked one batter in relief for the only other baserunner of the game. At the plate, Scott II was 2-for-3 with a double, one day after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Wetherholt was 2-for-4 with two strikeouts in the win.
St. Louis and New York wrap up their series tomorrow, before an off day on Thursday. Matthew Liberatore (0-0, 1.80 ERA, 2K's) will start for the Cardinals against Freddy Peralta (1-0, 7.20 ERA, 7K's) for the Mets. First pitch will be at 12:15pm with pregame starting around 12:05 on KY 102 (102.5FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.