In a dramatic showdown at Busch Stadium, Yohel Pozo delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the 11th inning, securing a 6-5 comeback win for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. The victory showcased the Cardinals’ resilience as they erased a 5-2 deficit to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Cardinals Mount a Comeback
The Reds held a commanding 5-2 lead, thanks to a monstrous 435-foot homer by star shortstop Elly De La Cruz in the seventh inning, his team-leading 17th of the season. However, the Cardinals refused to back down. Nolan Arenado sparked the rally with a leadoff homer in the ninth off Reds reliever Emilio Pagán, tying the game at 5-5. Alec Burleson also played a pivotal role, contributing a two-run homer and an RBI single to fuel St. Louis’ offense.
Phil Maton (1-2), the Cardinals’ sixth pitcher, earned the win with a scoreless inning, while rookie Chase Petty (0-3), the Reds’ eighth pitcher, surrendered the decisive hit to Pozo.
De La Cruz’s Gritty Performance
Elly De La Cruz was a standout for Cincinnati despite the loss. The electrifying shortstop battled through adversity, vomiting on the field in the fourth inning, which briefly halted the game. After a visit from the trainer and a quick cleanup by the ground crew, De La Cruz stayed in the game, showcasing his toughness. His contributions included a triple in the second inning and the go-ahead homer in the seventh, though a baserunning miscue cost the Reds earlier in the game.
Key Moment: De La Cruz’s Daring Dash
In the second inning, De La Cruz tripled when a ball eluded Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II. The relay throw bounced past third baseman Nolan Arenado, and De La Cruz seized the opportunity to race for home. However, pitcher Sonny Gray, backing up the play, fired a fastball to the plate, nabbing the sliding De La Cruz for a crucial out.
By the Numbers
The Cardinals improved to an impressive 6-2 in extra-inning games this season, while the Reds fell to 1-6 in such contests. Cincinnati’s Matt McClain also had a strong day at the plate, collecting three hits in a losing effort.
Looking Ahead
The series finale is set for Sunday, with Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-4, 4.35 ERA) facing off against Reds lefty Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.84 ERA). Both teams will look to close out the series on a high note in what promises to be another exciting matchup.
This thrilling victory keeps the Cardinals’ momentum rolling as they continue to battle for a playoff spot, while the Reds will aim to regroup and bounce back in the finale.
