First one-run game doesn’t go the St. Louis Cardinals’ way

The St. Louis Cardinals weren’t able to beat a very beatable Patrick Corbin, but did keep the game close even if they didn’t find a way to win.

Tuesday was another beautiful chance for the St. Louis Cardinals to prove that their strange pattern of a disappearing offense could be broken. On Monday, the Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 12-5, turning all attention to Tuesday where the offense, due to disappear, would face off against a hapless Patrick Corbin.

Corbin had gone for a combined 6.1 innings over his first two starts of the year. Almost impressively, he had given up 15 runs over that time, landing his ERA at 21.32. However, Corbin also had the fact he’s a lefty on his side.

In the end, the same old story played out. Over 6.0 innings, Corbin allowed just four hits and zero runs. Cardinal starter Adam Wainwright matched Corbin, allowing just one run over 7.0 innings. Nationals manager Davey Martinez decided to leave the poker table while he was up and pulled Corbin at just 76 pitches after the 6th. Facing a righty out of the bullpen, the Cardinals were able to score twice on the strength of a Dylan Carlson triple.

Sadly though, Giovanny Gallegos struggled for the first time this season, walking three in the 8th and allowing back the two runs. The team wasn’t able to put anything together in the 9th against Brad Hand, and the Nationals took the second game of the series.

Tuesday was the first time this season that a Cardinal starter finished the 7th inning, an almost embarrassing fact. Due to the inconsistency of the offense, this was also the first one-run game of the year for the team.

Even though it was a tough loss, it was almost a happy sight to see the team play a one-run game. The early season odd samples are still alive and well, but the Cardinals just can’t seem to find their footing in the standings. Right now, they are just treading water. The rotation has improved, but now the offense has slowed down.

Reinforcements in the form of Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader aren’t far away, but who even knows if they can right the ship. Each new day is a new day to be more consistent, and the Cards will have another good test against Max Scherzer on Wednesday in the final game in Washington.