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What went wrong in St. Louis Cardinals’ terrible series against Rays

By Miranda Remaklus

Jun 7, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson (43) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dakota Hudson (43) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 8: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals acknowledges the crowd after pitching a scoreless eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game at Tropicana Field on June 8, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 8: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals acknowledges the crowd after pitching a scoreless eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game at Tropicana Field on June 8, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Wednesday: Rays 11, Cardinals 3

The Cardinals had a bullpen start that got out of hand on Wednesday.

Packy Naughton is now 0-2 on the season, giving up five hits, and four earned runs. While he didn’t strike anyone out, he did induce two swings and misses.  Johan Oviedo pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three hits, one walk, and one earned run. He did strike out three batters while inducing 10 swings and misses.

Nick Wittgren pitched an inning, giving up three hits, a walk, and three earned runs. He did strike out one. He also induced two swings and misses.

T.J. McFarland, who was celebrating his 33rd birthday, pitched two innings of relief but seemed to forget or not know what was going on including an incident in which he didn’t realize there was only one out in the inning and failed to turn a double play that could have gotten him out of the inning. McFarland pitched two innings, giving up five hits, two walks, and three earned runs. He did strike out two.

The best pitching of the night for the Cardinals came from future Hall of Fame catcher Yadier Molina. He pitched one inning, giving up two hits but ultimately getting his first career strikeout, bringing his ERA down to 18.00. It was a moment of fun in an otherwise miserable game. Albert Pujols got a kick out of the moment:

In the fourth inning, Tyler O’Neill knocked his first home run since his return from the injured list and his third of the season. The blast traveled 378 feet at 101.5 mph.

O’Neill singled in the sixth inning to center field, scoring Tommy Edman and Nolan Gorman. Unfortunately, that was it for the inning. The team left five on base and was 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Another night of frustration from the offense.

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