Cardinals sweep the DH behind an outstanding performance by McGreevy
Game Result
Cardinals do just enough offensively, with a key double by Scott to come back and take a lead. Michael McGreevy comes in with bases loaded, one out in the 4th inning and rescues the day. He ends up working the final 5.2 innings of one-hit ball (5 K’s) to dominate a tough Met line-up, getting Brandon Nimmo to pop out to punctuate the win. No closer needed. Final is 5-4 Cardinals.
Pre-game Notes
- The Cardinals/Mets play the second game of a split doubleheader today, as a result of a rain-out yesterday. I think this is actually the make-up game.
- The Cardinals are coming off a nail-biting 6-5 win in the matinee. This game is for the DH sweep and a take of the series.
Line-up (and roster) Machinations
- Megill goes for the Mets. He is high K, high BB. Fly ball heavy.
- Pallante goes for the Cardinals.
- Standard line-up for the second act. Pozo at C, Contreras flips to DH, Burly to first.
- Let’s see on the bullpen. They used Leahy, Romero, Maton, Helsley in the early game.
The Game
This will be the shorthand version, with highlights and commentary, but not a blow-by-blow scorecard read. Let me know what you like better.
Both teams out early in the first. Early swings, quick outs. Feels like a getaway day game. Oh, wait. It is…
In the second inning, Pallante collects his second GIDP already. After an Arenado infield hit (that is not a typo), Burleson breaks out for his first home run of the year, a 2-run job.
The Mets respond in the 3rd, as Pallante loses control of the inning with 2 out, issuing a walk and 5 (yes, 5) singles to grant the Mets 4 runs. The Cardinals respond to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 3rd with some key hits from Arenado and Contreras after Megill gifted the Cardinals a couple of walks.
Pallante returns for the 4th but promptly loads the bases and Oli had seen enough. McGreevy escaped the inning unscathed. Pallante’s line includes 3.1 IP, 9 H, 4 BB. Pretty ugly. I will have to look more at the underlying pitch data to see what went wrong.
In the bottom of the 4th, Walker gets caught looking at a FB down the middle for a backward K for the second time in this game. He is thinking way too much while trying to play baseball. It locks him up. He is laying off the sliders, but at the expense of laying off the fastballs. He will get there.
Winn hurt himself running the bases, and was replaced by Barrero at SS. Looked like he twisted his ankle rounding third.
McGreevy restored order, keeping the game tied. It took a bit of an assist shown here as Scott robs Soto of a 3-run HR.
In the sixth, Scott doubled home Pozo with 2 outs to give the Cardinals a slim lead.
McGreevy carried the team on his back the rest of the way, closing out his own game. 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 K’s, 1 BB.
Post-game Notes
- Herrera caught 7 innings today at Memphis. Went 1-3. Hitting .429 on the rehab stint. Memphis got waxed. Their pitching is in a pretty rough place right now.
- I don’t have much else to add. I think I just want to sit and enjoy a fine performance.