The Nolans shine as Cardinals net series sweep over Marlins
Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman came up huge in series for the Cardinals
![Nolan Arenado walk-off celebration](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/33/01h5r5mrpncwzvr80fcb.jpg)
To the relief of the fanbase, the St. Louis Cardinals have seemingly flipped the switch and are playing much better. So much better the Cardinals are on a five-game winning streak and swept the Miami Marlins.
Sparked by the play of Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be a rejuvenated team ready to break out of the significant slump that held them down in last place in the NL Central.
With a sweep of the Marlins, the Cardinals have climbed out of last place, one game ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now 9.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals head to Chicago for a four-game set against the rival Cubs. The Cardinals are two games back from the Cubs in the NL Central standings.
What seemed impossible now feels entirely possible with the Cardinals. The Cardinals could make up some significant ground this weekend.
Let's talk about the Cardinals' sweep of the Marlins. The Cards won Monday 6-4, Tuesday 5-2, and Wednesday 6-4.
Mikolas earned his sixth win of the season and is now 6-5. He pitched six innings, giving up seven hits and three runs, including home runs to Bryan De La Cruz and Jesus Sanchez. He did strike out three batters. On Monday, Ryan Tepera debuted with the Cardinals, pitching two-thirds of an inning, giving up two hits, a walk, and a run. Giovanny Gallegos earned his 13th hold on the season, pitching 1.1 innings and striking out a batter.
Jordan Hicks his eighth save of the season on Monday, giving up three hits in his inning of work.
Jordan Montgomery looked sharp in his start Tuesday. He pitched six innings, giving up six hits, two walks, and one earned run. He struck out five batters. Chris Stratton pitched an inning of relief, giving up two hits and one run. He struck out three batters. Gallegos pitched an inning, giving up one hit and striking out one batter. Jordan Hicks pitched an inning giving up two hits but striking out two batters.
Jojo Romero earned his second career win as he pitched the tenth inning. He gave up no hits and struck out two batters. He's stepped up big for the Cardinals out of the bullpen.
The Cardinals starting rotation got the benefit of a bullpen start game. While it got interesting at times, the bullpen had a massive day for the Cardinals. Dakota Hudson started the game, going three innings. He gave up two runs while striking out one batter. Zack Thompson pitched two innings of relief, giving up three hits.
Andre Pallante pitched 1.2 innings, getting his ninth hold of the season. He gave up a hit and a walk and struck out one. Ryan Tepera got his first hold with the Cardinals, pitching 1.1 innings, and gave up a home run to Bryan De La Cruz. He struck out one batter.
Chris Stratton earned his first save this season, pitching the ninth inning. He gave up two hits and a run. He did strike out one batter.
Now let's discuss some of the top performers from this series.
Arenado and Carlson shine on Monday
Arenado had a fantastic series against the Marlins. He performed exactly how he and his fans expected all season. Whether at the plate or third base, he had a performance to build on for the final half of the season.
Arenado got things going Monday with a single to left field, scoring Dylan Carlson. Arenado hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the fifth inning, scoring Carlson. Jordan Walker singled to left field, scoring Paul Goldschmidt.
Carlson singled in the sixth inning to score Nolan Gorman. Arenado then doubled to center field, scoring Carlson and Goldschmidt.
Watch until the end for a surprise! pic.twitter.com/fPOnhL2IfE
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 18, 2023
Monday's effort from Carlson came hours after he'd learned he would become the team's fourth outfielder once Tyler O'Neill returns from the injured list. Carlson said he feels he has much to contribute to the team when given the opportunity. Carlson went 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs, and an RBI. This proves he does have the ability to do big things for the Cardinals. O'Neill hasn't returned from the injured list, and it will be interesting to see what the Cardinals will do if Carlson continues performing at this rate. The Cardinals could be auditioning one of the two for a possible trade deadline deal. This could get interesting!
Arenado gets first walk-off homer for Cardinals
Brendan Donovan got things started for the Cardinals in the sixth inning Tuesday. He knocked his 11th home run of the season on a fly to right field. The blast traveled 388 feet at 98.5 mph.
Nolan Gorman doubled on a fly to right field to score Dylan Carlson.
So long and thanks for all the fish! #STLCards pic.twitter.com/H6ZwOj8dUu
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 19, 2023
In the tenth inning, Arenado launched his 21st home run of the season on a fly to left field, scoring Paul DeJong and Lars Nootbaar. This was his fourth career walk-off but his first as a Cardinal. That seems unbelievable, which means it was about time. The celebration at home was fantastic and felt like a needed festivity for a team that has struggled.
The Nolans showed out in Wednesday's winner
Arenado started things for the Cardinals in the first inning with a single to right field to score Paul Goldschmidt. Nolan Gorman then launched his 19th home run of the season on a fly to center field, scoring Lars Nootbaar and Arenado.
THAT BALL HAD A FAMILY!#STLCards pic.twitter.com/AJDk9o0L2H
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 19, 2023
It's great to see Gorman coming into his own at second base, while also making strides at the plate. He struggled much of June and returned to form in July. This home run traveled 419 feet at 105.9 mph — just a massive blast from the talented young star.
In the seventh inning, Nootbaar singled to third base, allowing Donovan to score. Nootbaar reached third thanks to a throwing error by Jon Berti. Gorman then singled on a line drive to right field, scoring Nootbaar.
Extremely common Nolan Arenado W#STLCards pic.twitter.com/Yg9rkGFU5M
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 19, 2023
Arenado also showed off his skills at third base. Unbelievable.
This series showed what the Cardinals are fully capable of doing. Here's hoping they keep it up and continue to play with this intensity.