The Cardinals (45-29) won both games of a mini-series against the White Sox in St.Louis to start the week. The Cardinals and Brewers are now tied atop the NL Central Division with the Cubs closing their gap to 6 games.
Max Scherzer got the ball on Monday night and didn't have his best stuff but did dodge his way thru 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 8 hits. He would get a no decision. The bullpen would prove to be effective pitching the final 4 innings without giving up a run and earning the victory as the Cards fought back to win 3-2. Alex Reyes recorded his 25th save in as many opportunities. Yadier Molina went 3 for 3 with an RBI, while Justin Williams would deliver the go-ahead/game winning RBI with a pinch hit RBI single in the 7th.
Game 2 Kwang Hyun Kim was just masterful. Pitching 7 innings of one run ball on just 3 hits with 11 strikeouts. Kim was pinch hit for in the 8th after topping 110 pitches thru 7 innings and leaving with a 4-1 lead. Jordan Hicks would give up a run in the 8th to make it 4-2, but Alex Reyes was given the ball again in the 9th and secured his 26th straight save. He has yet to blow a save this season.
The Cardinals tallied 4 runs despite being without Nolan Arenado who was injured in pre-game warmups (tricep), but newly signed Matt Carpenter filled in nicely going 3 for 4. The offense came in the 4th when Lane Thomas launched a grand slam into Big Mac Land in left field.
The Cardinals are off on Wednesday as they travel to Colorado for a 4 game weekend series with the Rockies. They will then fly back to Cincinnati for a 3 game set with the Reds and then to Chicago for a 3 game weekend series with the Cubs to conclude the first half of the season.
Nolan Arenado has landed back on the 10-Day IL with a tricep injury. Arenado felt discomfort in pre-game warmups Tuesday. After being checked out it was classified as a strained tricep and the All-Star 3rd baseman is expected to miss about 2 weeks.
Nick Dunn was recalled from Memphis to fulfill the vacant roster spot.
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