Final Score: Cincinnati Reds 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
Game Summary:
The St. Louis Cardinals fell to the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 on Sunday, June 22, 2025, snapping their five-game winning streak in the series finale at Busch Stadium. Despite the loss, the Cardinals secured the series win, having triumphed in the first two games against the Reds.
Game Highlights:
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Pitching Performance: Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.35 ERA) delivered a solid outing but took the loss. He pitched effectively, but the Reds capitalized on key opportunities, including a passed ball that helped them build a 3-1 lead. Relievers Ryan Leahy and Gordon Graceffo each threw two innings in relief, holding the Reds scoreless but unable to spark a comeback.
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Offensive Struggles: The Cardinals’ lineup struggled against Reds starter Andrew Abbott (6-1, 1.84 ERA), who dominated by allowing just one run and limiting St. Louis to a single baserunner after the second inning. Yohel Pozo provided the Cardinals’ lone run with an RBI single in the second inning.
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Reds’ Offense: The Reds found holes in the Cardinals’ defense, scoring three runs by the fourth inning, aided by a passed ball. Their offense was efficient, and Abbott’s command on the mound stifled any Cardinals’ rally attempts.
Key Moments:
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Second Inning: Yohel Pozo’s RBI single gave the Cardinals an early 1-0 lead, but it was their only offensive highlight.
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Reds’ Response: Cincinnati took control with a three-run effort, including a crucial passed ball that allowed a run to score, building a 3-1 advantage.
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Late Innings: The Cardinals’ offense went quiet after the second, managing just one baserunner as Abbott shut down any chance of a comeback. The Reds added an insurance run to secure the 4-1 victory.
Post-Game Notes:
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The loss ended the Cardinals’ five-game winning streak, but their series win over the Reds kept them in strong contention in the NL Central, where they hold second place with a 36-30 record.
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The Cardinals now look ahead to a four-game home series against the Chicago Cubs, starting June 23, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
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Despite the offensive struggles, the Cardinals showed resilience in the series, with strong performances in the prior two games, including a walk-off win on Saturday driven by Nolan Arenado’s game-tying homer and Pozo’s heroics in the 11th.
Up Next: The Cardinals face the Chicago Cubs on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 7:15 PM CDT, with RHP Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA) expected to take the mound against Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga.