Rookie left-hander Quinn Mathews carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Alec Burleson delivered another clutch RBI as the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night at Busch Stadium.
Mathews (2-3) retired the first 10 batters he faced before issuing a walk in the fourth. The 25-year-old did not allow a hit until Grant McCray doubled leading off the sixth. He lasted 6 2/3 innings — the longest of his seven major league starts — striking out eight while allowing one run on four hits and two walks.
The Cardinals broke through in the fifth against Giants starter Landen Roupp (9-14). Thomas Saggese singled with one out and stole second. Iván Herrera walked to chase Roupp, and Burleson singled on the first pitch from Reiver Sanmartin to score Saggese. The hit was Burleson’s 110th RBI of the season and his 61st with runners in scoring position, both major league highs.
A wild pitch and a walk to Jordan Walker loaded the bases before rookie catcher Leo Bernal singled home Herrera for a 2-0 lead. Bernal finished 3-for-4. Saggese and Burleson each had two hits.
San Francisco answered in the sixth when Jonah Cox singled home McCray. Bernal threw out Cox attempting to steal as Mathews struck out Bryce Eldridge to preserve the one-run lead.
The bullpen finished the job. Justin Bruihl entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh and induced a groundout from McCray. Ryne Stanek worked a scoreless eighth, and Riley O’Brien recorded his 37th save by retiring Christian Koss on a groundout with runners at second and third.
The Cardinals improved to 75-76. The Giants fell to 62-89. The two clubs meet again Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, with André Pallante scheduled to start for St. Louis opposite Blade Tidwell.
