photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Cardinals were shut out three times during a 2-5 week against two Eastern foes. All-Star starter Paul Goldschmidt remains the only consistent bright spot for the slumping offense. Our Blast from the Past recounts key events this past week in Cardinals history.
Game recaps
Monday, July 4 – Cardinals 3 at Braves 6
The St. Louis Cardinals began a four-game series against the Braves at Truist Park with a 6-3 loss on Monday. Dakota Hudson started and pitched four innings, gave up six runs on nine hits, struck out two and walked three. Hudson took the loss, his fifth of the season.
Johan Oviedo relieved and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. James Naile closed it out with 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
The Braves got on the board in the first inning with a 1-0 lead. Atlanta added five in the second.
The Cardinals finally answered by scratching out one run in the fourth. Nolan Gorman singled and Juan Yepez followed with a single. Dylan Carlson reached on a force out with a missed catch error. Conner Capel’s sac fly scored Gorman.
St. Louis put up two more scores in the sixth on solo home runs by Yepez and Capel.
Yepez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Nolan Arenado was 2-for-5. Capel had two RBI.
Tuesday, July 5 – Cardinals 1 at Braves 7
The Cardinals fared worse in the second game of the series, losing by six runs in Atlanta. Andre Pallante started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up seven runs on 10 hits and fanned five. Pallante took the loss, his fourth of the season.
Packy Naughton relieved and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Junior Fernandez and Zack Thompson each tossed a scoreless frame.
The Cardinals scored their only run of the game in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado singled. Nolan Gorman singled to plate Goldschmidt.
In the home first, the Braves put up five runs against Pallante. They increased their lead with two more in the fourth, knocking Pallante out of the game. St. Louis’ bullpen held off further scoring but the damage was done.
Arenado went 2-for-3. Gorman had the only RBI. The offense left 12 runners stranded on nine total hits and were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
In the field, Gorman made a throwing error.
Wednesday, July 6 – Cardinals 0 at Braves 3
The losing continued at Truist Park for the Cardinals, with this shutout. Miles Mikolas, the leading recipient in the rotation of no run support from the offense, pitched six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, struck out four and walked one. The loss was the seventh of the season for the right hander.
Zack Thompson relieved Mikolas and threw a scoreless seventh. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless eighth.
The Braves scored their three runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The scoreless Cardinal offense scattered seven hits, including doubles by Paul Goldschmidt and Albert Pujols.
Thursday, July 7 – Cardinals 3 at Braves 2 (11 innings)
The Cardinals finally scratched out a win in the series final contest, an 11 inning fight that ended in a one run victory and avoided the four game sweep at home.
Matthew Liberatore started and pitched four scoreless innings, allowed three hits, struck out four and walked three. Jordan Hicks followed with two scoreless frames.
Giovanny Gallegos surrendered the first Braves run in the seventh and was tagged with a blown save, his fifth on the season. Junior Fernandez and Ryan Helsley combined to throw the next three scoreless innings, with Helsley awarded the win. Packy Naughton earned his first save with a scoreless 11th.
The game was a pitchers’ duel for the first six innings. The Cardinals finally broke through in the top of the seventh with a run that began with a Nolan Gorman double. Dylan Carlson followed with a single, and Albert Pujols plated Gorman with a sac fly.
The Braves immediately tied the game in the home seventh. The game remained knotted at 1-1 through regulation. In the top of the 10th the Cardinals broke the stalemate with a second sac fly run, this time by Juan Yepez.
Atlanta wasted no time in tying the game again in the bottom of the 10th. In the 11th, ghost runner Nolan Arenado scored on back to back singles by Gorman and Carlson. This time the bullpen held the Braves in check and the Cardinals took home their 3-2 win.
Carlson, who didn’t start, went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Gorman was 2-for-5. Pujols and Yepez had RBI.
On the base paths, Goldschmidt stole his fourth base of the season. In the field, Carlson had an outfield assist at first base.
Cardinals hitters fanned 19 times and left 11 runners on base, but the team still found a way to win.
Friday, July 8 – Cardinals 0, Phillies 2
The Cardinals suffered their second shutout of the week in a 2-0 loss to the Phillies on Friday at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright went the distance with no run support. The right hander gave up two runs on five hits including two solo home runs with three punchouts and no walks in those nine innings.
The Cardinals offense scattered six hits, with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado both going 2-for-4. There were no extra base hits. The Cards were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Saturday, July 9 – Cardinals 0, Phillies 1
The third shutout of the week for the Cardinals occurred on Saturday. Another pitching duel ensued, this one between Dakota Hudson and Kyle Gibson. Hudson went six scoreless innings on two hits, four strikeouts and two walks.
Genesis Cabrera, Jordan Hicks, and Ryan Helsley combined for the next two scoreless innings. Hicks pitched to one batter to end the seventh inning.
Eight innings had transpired with no runs scored on either side. The Phillies ended the game of chicken with a run against Giovanny Gallegos in the ninth, which the Cardinals failed to answer. It was Gallegos’ third loss this season.
The Cardinals had just two hits, a double by Lars Nootbaar and an Andrew Knizner single. Six runners were left on base. Paul Goldschmidt stole his fifth base.
Sunday, July 10 – Cardinals 4, Phillies 3
The Cardinals were able to grind through to a win in this third game of the series with the Phillies. The fourth and final game of the series will be played on Monday.
Andre Pallante took the mound for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on nine hits, struck out four and walked one.
Johan Oviedo relieved and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Jordan Hicks hurled a scoreless eighth and received the win, his second. Ryan Helsley earned his seventh save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
The Phillies scored first with one run in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it at 1-1 in the second on singles by Nolan Arenado, Albert Pujols and Lars Nootbaar, with Pujols scoring.
The Phillies took the 2-1 lead in the fourth and added another in the fifth to go up by two. In the sixth, Pujols hit his 684th career home run to cut the lead to 3-2.
St. Louis tied it at 3-3 in the seventh when Austin Romine singled, Tommy Edman doubled, and Romine scored on a ground out by Nolan Gorman.
The Cardinals went ahead 4-3 in the eighth. Pujols singled and Edmundo Sosa singled. Dylan Carlson pinch ran for Pujols. Pinch hitter Paul Goldschmidt was walked to load the bases. Edman hit a fly ball to shallow center field, and Carlson was able to get his hand on the plate before the tag to score the winning run.
Pujols had a 3-for-4 day at the plate including a home run. Nootbaar, Edman and Gorman each had an RBI.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Milwaukee | 48 | 39 | 0.552 | |
| St. Louis | 46 | 42 | 0.523 | 2.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 36 | 50 | 0.419 | 11.5 |
| Chicago | 34 | 52 | 0.405 | 13.5 |
| Cincinnati | 32 | 54 | 0.372 | 15.5 |
The Big Picture
The Cardinals ended the week with a record of 2-5, having lost 3 of 4 to the Braves, and losing 2 of 3 to the Phillies. The Phillies series is not over, with the fourth game on Monday. It is possible for the Cardinals to earn a split of this series.
The offense over the past week (and even before that) has hit the skids. The Cardinals are currently playing an ugly stretch of baseball. The Cardinals are 3-7 so far in the month of July.
The offense scored 11 total runs over the last seven games, which includes being shut out three times. For the first time in a long time this season the offense has actually been worse than the pitching.
Of the three players with an OPS over .800 over the last seven days, only one is a starting player. They are Albert Pujols (1.400 in 10 ABs), Lars Nootbaar (.944 in 8 ABs) and Paul Goldschmidt (.853 in 22 ABs). Nolan Arenado is next with a .753 OPS in 25 ABs. Edmundo Sosa is at the bottom with an OPS of .170. Tommy Edman has taken a nosedive at the plate with an OPS of .205.
As for pitching, relievers have been performing better than starters. The bullpen has been lights out over the last week for the first time all season. This is helped by the fact that the worst relievers over the season are either on the injured list or are no longer on the team. Nick Wittgren was released and T.J. McFarland and Drew VerHagen are both pitching on rehab assignments. The worst reliever over the last week has been Giovanny Gallegos, with an ERA of 6.00 in three appearances. Gallegos has been going through a tough stretch recently.
The rotation has not been as good. Matthew Liberatore, who has been struggling in his various starts up and down from Memphis, had his best start this past week, a four inning scoreless outing against the Braves. Adam Wainwright pitched a complete game against the Phillies with two runs allowed. After that it is Miles Mikolas (4.50 ERA in one start), Dakota Hudson (5.40 ERA in two starts) and Andre Pallante (9.64 ERA in two starts). To be fair, Hudson’s most recent start was very good.
The team begins the final week of play before the All-Star break. It would be very nice if the offense woke up. It is going to be a brutal week coming, with one more game with the Phillies, three games with the Dodgers and three games with the Reds, who have been playing very well of late and will be gunning for the Cardinals for sure (as they always do).
The offense will likely see some very tough pitching. One of the best starters in the NL, Tony Gonsolin, will be pitching for the Dodgers on Wednesday. The team will miss Clayton Kershaw. None of the Dodgers pitchers are bad so the offense has to be ready.
The Cardinals might get Tyler O’Neill back before the break but not Harrison Bader. The rotation could get Steven Matz back soon, but he likely won’t pitch before the break as he has one more rehab start scheduled, unless something changes. The Brewers have lost their last two games, so the Cardinals are keeping pace by sheer force of luck and are currently 2.5 games back.
Cardinals sending four to Midsummer Classic
The complete selections for the All-Star Game rosters were announced on Sunday evening and the Cardinals will be sending four players to the Midsummer Classic this year.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s selection as a starter via the fan vote was already known prior to Sunday as was the naming of Albert Pujols as a legacy selection by the Commissioner’s office (along with Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera).
On Sunday, Cardinals fans learned that third baseman Nolan Arenado was selected as a reserve, and reliever Ryan Helsley will be on the NL staff. Both Arenado and Helsley are having great a seasons so far in 2022. Arenado was named the NL Player of the Month in April, and Helsley is one of the best relievers in the NL in the first half, with seven saves, a batting average against of .107 and an ERA of only 0.73.
The All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 19 at 7 pm CT at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 7/4 The Cardinals optioned C Ivan Herrera to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/4 The Cardinals selected the contract of C Austin Romine from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/4 The Cardinals sent LF Tyler O’Neill on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/6 The Cardinals sent LHP T.J. McFarland on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/6 The Cardinals sent RHP Drew VerHagen on a rehab assignment to the Peoria Chiefs.
- 7/6 The Cardinals sent LF Corey Dickerson on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/8 The Cardinals optioned RHP James Naile to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/8 The Cardinals activated LHP Genesis Cabrera from the 10-day injured list.
- 7/8 The Cardinals designated RHP Angel Rondon for assignment.
- 7/9 The Cardinals optioned OF Conner Capel to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/9 The Cardinals released RHP Nick Wittgren.
- 7/9 The Cardinals activated LF Corey Dickerson from the 10-day injured list.
Injury Report
- RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. The right hander received a second opinion and has had surgery on the shoulder. Whether the injury is season-ending is yet to be determined.
- LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) continues his rehab and will make one more rehab assignment before he is reinstated.
- OF Corey Dickerson (left calf strain) was activated from the 10-day injured list and played in Saturday’s game against the Phillies.
- C Yadier Molina (right knee inflammation) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, retroactive to June 16. Molina is rehabbing in Puerto Rico. No date for Molina’s return has been specified, but the team is encouraging him to rejoin them.
- LF Tyler O’Neill (left hamstring strain) was placed on the injured list on June 20. The outfielder was expected to be reinstated for the Phillies series but was held back due to swelling on his left wrist from being hit by a pitch during his last rehab appearance. No fracture was detected on X-ray, but further testing is being done.
- LHP T.J. McFarland was placed on the Covid injured list after testing positive for Covid-19. The left hander is currently on a rehab assignment.
- RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 24 with a right shoulder impingement. The right hander is on rehab assignment with the Peoria Chiefs.
- LHP Genesis Cabrera has been activated from the Covid IL.
- RHP Jack Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 27. Right shoulder strain. Flaherty was removed early from his last start due to “dead arm.” Flaherty is out until after the All-Star Game and likely longer.
- CF Harrison Bader was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 27. Right foot plantar fasciitis. The outfielder has been going through conditioning and light baseball activity. He is still bothered by lingering pain in the foot and is likely not returning until after the All-Star break.
- IF/OF Brendan Donovan was not in the lineup for Saturday’s and Sunday’s games due to an undisclosed illness. A test for Covid-19 will likely be done. No date for Donovan’s return has been reported.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals continue their four game home series against the Phillies. The series ends on Monday.
The homestand continues with three vs. the Dodgers, followed by a weekend series against the Reds before the start of the All-Star break on Monday, July 18.
After the break, the Cardinals travel to Cincinnati for a weekend set with the Reds. The team travels to Toronto to face the Blue Jays on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27.
After a travel day on July 28, the Cardinals play a weekend series in Washington, DC against the Nationals.
The Cardinals will return to St. Louis to begin a six-game homestand with the Cubs and the Yankees to begin the month of August.
The regular season schedule can be found here.
Blast from the Past
This week’s Blast from the Past continues the theme of looking at a time period in St. Louis Cardinals history for notable events that occurred during that period. The month of July historically has been a month for two particular types of events, the All-Star Game, and the trade deadline.
This week we take a look at the time period July 4 through July 10. The day and year of the event is noted, and a description follows.
July 4, 2000 – Keith McDonald becomes the third player in St. Louis Cardinals history to hit a home run in his first major league at bat.
July 4, 2008 – Albert Pujols hits his 300th career home run in a game against the Chicago Cubs.
July 5, 1930 – In a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds, Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch ties the NL record for chances in a game at 16.
July 5, 1954 – Cardinals RF Stan Musial outpolls all other National League players in the All-Star balloting.
July 5, 1961 – Cardinals 1B Bill White hits three home runs and a double in a 9-1 win over the Dodgers.
July 5, 2009 – Albert Pujols is the top vote-getter in the National League for the All-Star Game. St. Louis is the host city for this Midsummer Classic.
July 6, 1911 – The Cardinals and the Phillies combine to issue 23 walks, tying the record from the previous season. St. Louis pitchers walked 13, including eight in the third inning alone.
July 6, 1929 –The Cardinals defeat the Phillies 28-6 in the second game of a doubleheader at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. This game still holds the record for the largest blowout in Cardinals franchise history.
July 6, 1933 – The Cardinals send four players to the very first All-Star Game – Frankie Frisch, Bill Hallahan, Pepper Martin and Jim Wilson.
July 6, 1990 – Manager Whitey Herzog resigns and is replaced by interim manager Red Schoendienst.
July 6, 1990 – Keith McDonald hits a home run in his second major league at bat, becoming the second player in major league history to do so.
July 7, 1936 – Joe Medwick hits a home run and pitcher Dizzy Dean gets the win in the All-Star Game, the first time the National League wins the Midsummer Classic.
July 7, 1963 – Red Schoendienst plays in his last major league game.
July 8, 1969 – Bob Gibson pitches his 150th complete game in a 6-3 win over the Braves.
July 9, 1929 – Chick Hafey ties a NL record with 10 consecutive hits over two games.
July 9, 1957 – The Sporting News selects Stan Musial as the “Player of the Decade” for the period 1946-1956.
July 10, 1951 – Stan Musial contributes one of four home runs by a National League player to help defeat the American League in the All-Star Game in Detroit.
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