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3 surprising performers in Cardinals set with Royals

By Miranda Remaklus

Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 11: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 11: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Busch Stadium on April 11, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

The St. Louis Cardinals welcomed Mike Matheny and the Kansas City Royals to Busch for a week-day set.

The St. Louis Cardinals seemed to regain their composure after a needed break thanks to inclement weather. Oli Marmol looked like he felt better after a case of the flu took him out for two games. The bullpen got a day off and the hitters could reset.

Tuesday – Cardinals 6, Royals 5

With Tyler O’Neill on board after singling to left-center, Nolan Arenado launched his third home run of the season with a liner to left field. The crowd was still cheering the home run when Albert Pujols came to bat. And did this:

Pujols hit his first home run of the season and it was a beautiful shot that had the fans at Busch, and at home, on their feet. Pujols was 3-for-4 on the day. Make sure to check out this tweet from MLB.com’s John Denton with a video from the view from the press box of the ovation the crowd gave Pujols. He did tell Marmol prior to Tuesday’s game that he would hit a home run. And he certainly did. With 680 home runs, Pujols said this is something you can do.

Feel free to do it some more, Albert!

Andrew Knizner made his first start of the season Tuesday. He did so in style! In the fourth inning, Knizner hit a fly ball home run to left field, scoring Pujols and Tommy Edman.

Dakota Hudson had some struggles in his first start of the season for the Cardinals. He threw four innings, giving up five hits, including two home runs – one to Salvador Perez and the other to Michael A. Taylor. He was able to strike out four. Hudson did say that it was a performance he could build off of as the season moves on.

Jordan Hicks shined getting his first win of the season. He threw two innings and struck out two. Nick Wittgren got his second hold of the season going one inning. He gave up two hits, a walk, and an earned run.

Genesis Cabrera pitched an inning, giving up a home run, but making enough pitches to get out of the inning.

Giovanny Gallegos looked confident earning his first save of the season, pitching the ninth inning.

Wednesday’s game was canceled due to inclement weather and will be made up on May 2 at 3:15 p.m.

The Cardinals will head to Milwaukee for a four-game series with the Brewers. Adam Wainwright is scheduled to start against Brandon Woodruff Thursday afternoon.

Let’s discuss who stood out in Tuesday’s game.

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