Anaheim, CA—-The St. Louis Cardinals clinched a narrow victory against the Los Angeles Angels, prevailing 7-6 in an electrifying matchup at Anaheim, California. The game was marked by standout performances from Alec Burleson and Pedro Pagés, both pivotal in securing the Cardinals’ triumph.
Burleson’s impact was felt early on as he smashed a two-run homer in the seventh inning, showcasing his growing prowess with three hits overall in the game. His home run, his fourth in just 16 games, underscored his evolving role within the team after a slow start to the season without a single homer in his initial 19 appearances. Nolan Arenado set the stage for Burleson’s heroics with a crucial base hit preceding the pivotal home run, propelling the Cardinals to their third consecutive win.
Pitcher Sonny Gray, despite an impressive nine strikeouts over six innings, faced challenges, yielding five runs and eight hits during his tenure on the mound. However, the Cardinals’ bullpen, led by Ryan Helsley who secured his 13th save of the season, stepped up to preserve the victory.
The Angels, despite a valiant effort, couldn’t overcome their struggles, slipping to a 1-5 record on their current homestand. Kevin Pillar’s commendable performance, marked by three hits and a pivotal RBI, wasn’t enough to lift the Angels to victory. A late-game opportunity in the eighth inning fizzled out for the Angels, marred by a failed suicide squeeze attempt and subsequent strikeouts.
The Cardinals seized the initiative early, capitalizing on opportunities to build a commanding lead. They capitalized on a wild pitch and defensive errors to notch early runs, with Pagés notably delivering a three-run double in the third inning, marking his maiden MLB hit. Pagés’ contribution, coupled with his adept handling of the Cardinals’ pitching rotation, earned praise from manager Oliver Marmol.
Despite the Angels’ resilient efforts, highlighted by Logan O’Hoppe’s three-run homer in the fourth inning and Taylor Ward’s sacrifice fly to tie the game, they fell short in their bid for a comeback.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals are set to field right-hander Lance Lynn in the series finale against the Angels’ Griffin Canning, promising another exciting showdown on the diamond.
