4 thoughts as Cardinals sweep Red Sox
In the most shocking of events, the Cardinals swept the Red Sox. At Fenway Park. In Boston. The Cardinals appear to be back.
It was quite the way to cap off a road trip the team desperately needed to get back on track. The Cardinals looked like a revived team as they defeated the Red Sox on Friday 8-6, Saturday 4-3, and Sunday 9-1.
The Cardinals swept the Red Sox ... in Boston
The Cardinals looked great in their sweep of the Red Sox. The players stepped up, and the pitchers looked much improved as the team returns to St. Louis this week to play the Brewers and Dodgers. The sweep was a sign the team may have shaken off their terrible start.
On Friday, Willson Contreras hit a fly ball homer to right center field. The blast traveled 408 feet at 108.4 mph. The hitting continued as Brendan Donovan singled to move Nolan Arenado to second. Dylan Carlson singled to right field to load the bases. Paul DeJong ground into a double play to score Arenado. Lars Nootbaar hit a double on a fly to left field, scoring Donovan.
In the ninth, DeJong walked. Lars Nootbaar then singled to center field, allowing DeJong to score. Nootbaar then stole second base and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Connor Wong. Nolan Gorman hit a homer on a fly to right field, scoring Nootbaar. Gorman's homer traveled 400 feet at 109.4 mph.
Down 3-1 to start the ninth inning on Saturday, Contreras walked. Arenado poped out to second base. Gorman doubled on a drive to right field, scoring Paul Goldschmidt. Kenley Jensen intentionally walked Brendan Donovan.
Alec Burleson ground into a force-out, allowing Contreras and Gorman to score thanks to a throwing error by Keke Hernandez. The Cardinals powered back and won 4-3.
In the first inning of Sunday night's game, Goldschmidt hit a single to right field, scoring Nootbaar.
In the second inning, Paul DeJong hit a home run to center. The blast traveled 425 feet at 106.4 mph. In the fourth inning, Andrew Knizner hit a home run to center field, scoring Alec Burleson.
Nolan Arenado can hit in that jersey
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball crew conducted an in-game interview with Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas. During the interview, Casas spoke with Nolan Arenado about a jersey swap. It was quite a weird exchange, but check it out.
Arenado said that Casas could have the jersey as he hasn't been hitting while wearing it. After he said that, Arenado went on a bit of a streak.
In the sixth inning, Arenado singled to center field, scoring Knizner and Nootbaar.
In the eighth inning, Gorman hit a ground-rule double on a fly to left field, scoring Nootbaar. Arenado then knocks a home run on a fly to center field, scoring Gorman. This was Arenado's sixth home run of the season.
Arenado saying that he couldn't hit in the jersey was funny. The hitting tear he went on after saying it was pretty awesome.
On Friday, Arenado hit a homer on a line drive to left field, just over the Green Monster. Paul Goldschmidt scored on the home run. The homer traveled 387 feet at 107.8 mph.
In the seventh inning of Saturday's game, Arenado hit a homer on a fly to left center field. The homer traveled 414 feet at 104.5 mph.
Three home runs over the Green Monster in three games? Whether he is ready to admit it or not, Arenado does seem to be hitting in that jersey.
Pitching looking sharp
strikeoutsAdam Wainwright pitched five innings Friday, giving up seven hits, two walks, and four earned runs, including two homers. He did have two strikeouts. Emmanuel Valdez and Connor Wong knocked the homers off Wainwright.
Andre Pallante had a much better outing, going 1.2 innings, giving up one hit, and striking out one. He earned his second hold of the season. Genesis Cabrera blew a save after pitching a third of an inning. He gave up a hit, two walks, two earned runs, and a strikeout. Ryan Helsley earned the victory for the Cardinals, pitching two innings and striking out four batters.
On Saturday, Steven Matz pitched 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits, a walk, and three earned runs. He struck out four batters. Drew VerHagen pitched 1.2 innings, striking out one. Andre Pallante earned his second win of the season after pitching an inning, giving up a hit, and striking out one. Giovanny Gallegos earned his third save of the season after pitching the ninth inning and only giving up a hit.
On Sunday, Miles Mikolas pitched a solid six innings, giving up four hits, two walks, and one earned run. Genesis Cabrera pitched an inning, giving up one hit and two walks. He did strike out two batters. Jordan Hicks was sharp in his inning as he gave up a walk but struck out three batters. Chris Stratton pitched the ninth inning, striking out two batters.
Lars Nootbaar's Mom gives sweet surprise on Sunday night
Lars Nootbaar is a Mama's Boy and showed off that fact on Sunday night baseball. ESPN Sunday Night Baseball's Eduardo Perez talked with Nootbaar about what his Mom means to him on Mother's Day and why he honored her by playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
That's awesome that ESPN put this together with his Mom as a surprise for Nootbaar. His reaction is so sweet and genuine.
Nootbaar also got the opportunity to go inside the Green Monster and sign the wall.
Nootbaar is an exciting young man and is truly a good person. He's easy to pull for and such a good Cardinal.