Busch Stadium turned into a waterlogged battlefield on Friday night, but the Cardinals grounds crew emerged as unlikely heroes in a marathon contest that tested patience, resilience, and the heart of a team fighting for a series win.
A 2-hour, 44-minute rain delay flooded the field, dugouts, and walkways, suspending play in the top of the fourth inning with the score tied at 0-0. Heavy rains turned the infield into standing water and created waves in the outfield, but the crew worked tirelessly with squeegees, vacuums, and sheer determination to get the field back into playable condition. Play resumed well after midnight, setting the stage for a gritty, late-night thriller.
Before the storm hit, Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson etched his name into Braves history, appearing in his 741st consecutive game to break Dale Murphy’s franchise record of 740. The Iron Man milestone provided a bright spot for the visitors amid the deluge.
Once baseball resumed, the Cardinals found their rhythm. Jordan Walker delivered a crucial RBI single in the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1. Then, in the eighth, Jimmy Crooks — who had entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh — stepped to the plate and launched a go-ahead solo home run. The 405-foot blast to right-center field off Danny Young (0-1) gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.
JoJo Romero came on to close it out, earning the save by navigating the ninth and preserving the victory for the Cardinals. The bullpen was stellar in the late innings, holding firm after the long layoff.
The win moves St. Louis into a series lead over the Braves in what has been a hard-fought matchup between two competitive clubs. For a Cardinals team that prides itself on grinding out results at home, this one felt particularly satisfying — equal parts endurance test and comeback story.
FOX Sports: MLB on X (formerly Twitter): “Just a little bit of rain in St. Louis 😅(via @TriciaWhitaker)pic.twitter.com/SlNY8v2g8E / X”
Just a little bit of rain in St. Louis 😅(via @TriciaWhitaker)pic.twitter.com/SlNY8v2g8E
