Cardinals hold Guardians to three hits in 7-0 win for series sweep

By MATT PIKE

The St Louis Cardinals allowed just three hits, and 11 baserunners total, as four pitchers combined to shutout the Cleveland Guardians 7-0, securing a series sweep for the Redbirds at Progressive Field going into a Monday off day. 

The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a big home run by Nolan Gorman.  After Masyn Winn walked and Willson Contreras singled with one out, Nolan Arenado flew out to right field for the second out allowing Winn to advance to third base, before Gorman blasted the ball 428 feet to right center field for the St. Louis lead. 

St. Louis did not score again until the seventh inning as Cleveland replaced starter Logan Allen with Hunter Gaddis.  Pedro Pagés singled to open the inning, and after Garrett Hampson struck out, Victor Scott II extended the lead with his fourth home run of the season, a two run home run to right field pushing the Cardinals lead to 5-0. 

The final two runs came in the very next inning, the first coming home on a sacrifice fly by Pagés, driving in José Fermín who singled to start the inning after pinch hitting for Arenado.  Hampson singled to bring home Gorman who had walked earlier in the inning for the final run of the game. 

Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore earned the win, improving to 6-6 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up three hits while walking five and striking out five.  At the plate, Scott II was 2-for-4 with the home run and two RBI’s.  Arenado was 2-for-3 while Winn was also 2-for-4 with a walk. 

St. Louis is off on Monday and travels to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.  Andre Pallante (5-4, 4.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Paul Skenes (4-7, 2.12 ERA) for the Pirates.  First pitch is at 5:40pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 5:30 on KY 102 (102.5 FM). 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.