LDN - Sports

Five-run inning carries Cardinals past Rockies

[July 27, 2017] ST. LOUIS -- At times this year, the St. Louis Cardinals have run the bases as though they needed a navigator to point them from first to second and then on to third.

On Wednesday night, their baserunning was the critical factor in a game-changing bottom of the fourth inning that enabled them to pull off a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies.

Taking three extra bases during a five-run rally, St. Louis wiped out an early deficit and posted a 10-5 verdict at Busch Stadium.

"We kept the pedal down and kept looking for extra bases," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of the fourth inning.

Often this season, that approach has led to failure. At one point, the Cardinals (50-51) led Major League Baseball in running into outs on the bases. As recently as a 5-3 loss Sunday night at the Chicago Cubs, they ran into two key outs that ultimately made the difference in the outcome.

On this night, St. Louis ran aggressively and judiciously, even after Tommy Pham got caught in a rundown in the third inning after singling Matt Carpenter from first to third. Pham's out helped usher Jeff Hoffman out of a possible mess.

But Hoffman couldn't escape the fourth, largely because the Cardinals took advantage of speed they haven't always used effectively.

With men at the corners and one out, pitcher Carlos Martinez took a robust cut at a 1-1 fastball and missed. Martinez slammed his bat down twice, frustrated that he didn't hit a pitch he felt he could have handled.

Three pitches later, Martinez poked a single to right that tied the score at 4. Kolten Wong, whose RBI fielder's choice started the scoring in the inning, sped from first to third.

Matt Carpenter lined a double to right-center field that squirted past diving right fielder Carlos Gonzalez. Martinez, one of St. Louis' fastest players, jetted home easily from first.

After an errant throw into the infield by center fielder Charlie Blackmon, Carpenter took off for third and made it easily, as it was left uncovered.

That led to Pham's sacrifice fly, finishing the outburst and turning a two-run deficit into a 7-4 advantage.

"Even after Tommy's out, we didn't let it make us cautious," Matheny said. "Tommy had the right thought; they just made a good play. Speed helps. It's exciting to watch."

Given that cushion, Martinez (7-8) lasted six innings and snapped a six-start winless streak. Martinez allowed seven hits and five runs, walking two and striking out eight.

Nolan Arenado cracked his 23rd homer for Colorado (50-51) and finished with three RBIs. Gerardo Parra added a two-run double in the third that gave the Rockies a 4-2 lead.

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Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (11) hits a two run home run off of Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

But an ugly night for four Colorado pitchers helped tilt the scales. In addition to allowing 15 hits, they doled out eight walks and threw three wild pitches.

Hoffman (6-3) permitted seven hits and seven runs (six earned) in four innings. He walked three and fanned three.

"His stuff was fine, but he couldn't string pitches together," Colorado manager Bud Black said of Hoffman.

However, there was one bit of good news for the Rockies. They bolstered their bullpen by trading for two-time All-Star setup man Pat Neshek, sending three minor leaguers to Philadelphia in return.

Randal Grichuk singled in his last four at-bats for the Cardinals, establishing a career high for hits in a game. Harrison Bader went 3-for-4 in his second big league game, and Yadier Molina tacked on a two-run double in the sixth for a 9-5 lead.

Rookie shortstop Paul DeJong also blasted a two-run homer in the first, his 14th in just 49 games. The only St. Louis rookie to hit more homers this quickly in his career was Albert Pujols in 2001.

"We kept the pressure on them all three games," DeJong said. "Today we showed a lot of fight in our offense. We're hitting the ball really well, passing the baton in our lineup."

NOTES: St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said RHP Luke Weaver will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to start Thursday night against Arizona. The Cardinals also recalled RHP Mike Mayers from Memphis to fill the roster spot of RHP Adam Wainwright (back), who went on the 10-day DL Tuesday. ... Colorado activated RHP Tyler Chatwood (right calf strain) from the 10-day DL and placed RHP Greg Holland on the paternity list. Holland leads MLB with 31 saves. ... St. Louis RF Stephen Piscotty (right groin strain) will start a rehab assignment Thursday at Class A Peoria. He has been on the 10-day DL since July 15.

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