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The St. Louis Cardinals‘ offense erupted for nine runs Wednesday night in their game versus the Miami Marlins. However, that wasn’t enough as the team’s pitching stumbled once again, resulting in a 10-9 loss.
Seemingly, it has been the same story all season long. The starting rotation was thought to be a weakness by many before the season began. Fan and experts alike have repeatedly been proven correct this season. The Cardinals rotation is one of the lowest ranked rotations in most of the meaningful categories.
Marlins Take Control Early
The Cardinals decided to start Matthew Liberatore and it was an obvious mistake frome the start. Liberatore has had his struggles this year, and they continued against the Marlins in a big way
The Marlins chased Cardinals starter Liberatore in the first inning with five hits, a walk and four runs.
Hot hitting Luis Arraez led off the first with a double. Next, Soler singled and De La Cruz singled to drive in Arraez. Cooper ripped a two-run double, Gurriel walked, and Dane Myers added an RBI. After facing only seven batters and recording only one out Liberatore’s day was over.
Cardinals Offense Mounts Comeback
The Cardinals offense came from behind to tie the game twice, once in the third and again in the fourth. All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado tried his best to carry them back to victory. He doubled three times, including a two-run double in a five-run third inning that tied it at 5.
In the third, Arenado and Contreras both hit two-run doubles. Then Nolan Gorman tied it with a two-run homerun to center field for his 17th home run of the season. However, the Marlins weren’t done scoring either. Jacob Stallings homered in the bottom of the third, giving Miami a 6-5 lead. The Cardinals promptly tied it back up in the top half of the fourth inning.
The game continued to go back and forth until the ninth. The Cardinals took their first lead of the game when Jordan Walker crushed a two-run homer 444 feet to left center in the ninth to make it 9-8. Then it was time for Jordan Hicks to come in and close it. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, their pitching woes resurfaced again.
Flamethrower Jordan Hicks came in the bottom of the ninth to close the door on the Marlins. However, it wasn’t meant to be. This game was one of those games that whoever got the last at bat was probably going to win. With runners on first and second Hicks fielded a slowly hit ball right at him and launched it over Goldschmidt’s head. This allowed all runners to score. Ending the game as a Marlins’ 10-9 victory.
Bullpen Blows 18th Save Opportunity Despite Cardinals’ Offense Providing Ample Run Support
The one thing that has been consistent this year for St. Louis is poor pitching from the starters and bullpen. There’s no reason to believe it will get any better either.
The Cardinals’ offense has been sluggish this season, but the pitching is the biggest problem. The Cardinals’ manager Oli Marmol said it best. “For us, we have to be able to close that game out, we continue to give up too many runs to win ballgames at the big league level. That needs to get better quickly.” Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that’s unlikely to happen. Unless the front office makes some moves, the pitching problems will undoubtedly continue.
