Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Jack Flaherty helped carry the St. Louis Cardinals to victory in the last game of the series. Strong pitching along with timely hitting, secured the 3-0 win for the Cardinals.
The Marlins scored thirty runs in the first three games of the series. Fortunately for the Cardinals, Flaherty was up to the task. His hot streak continued extending his scoreless streak to 12.2 innings. The Cardinals’ pitcher was finally able to slow down the hot Marlins offense.
Starters Allow Zero Runs Through 5 Innings
Both starters came out strong from the outset. The Cardinals’ Flaherty and Marlins’ Eury Perez matched scoreless frames for five innings.
Perez cracked first, giving up the first run on a solo blast by Nolan Arenado to right field. He came in tight on Arenado and then left an off-speed pitch over the plate. Arenado made him pay by crushing a long ball.
Cardinals’ Flaherty Finds Trouble in Seventh
Flaherty got himself in a bind with two outs in the seventh by giving up consecutive singles. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol made a mound visit but decided to leave Flaherty in the game. Flaherty then walked the next batter to load the bases. He was removed after throwing a season high 111 pitches. The decision to keep him in the game could have come back to haunt Marmol. Luckily for the Cardinals, Chris Stratton entered the game and got Jesus Sanchez to hit into an inning ending force out.
The Cardinals bullpen cruised the rest of the way. Gallegos retired three straight in the eighth, and Hicks closed it out in the ninth. This performance was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air for Cardinal fans after the game three debacle.
Cardinals’ Add Two Insurance Runs
The Cardinals sealed the victory with two more runs. Nolan Gorman was instrumental in scoring both. Gorman led off the seventh with a double and was driven in on a single by Burleson for their second run. Gorman then drove in Nootbaar with another double in the eighth for their third run. It’s a good sign for the Cardinals if Gorman is heating up. When he’s right, the Cardinals’ line-up is much more imposing.
Sorely Needed Victory
The Cardinals needed this win in a big way. They avoided a series sweep and will now head to play the White Sox in a three game series before the All-Star break. It was a win in a season that wins are tough to come by. At this point, every game is a must win if they want to salvage any part of this season.
