On a hot Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals faced off against the rival Cincinnati Reds in game two of a three game series. The Cardinals took game one by a score of 4-1, thanks to a grand slam by second baseman Kolten Wong.
And, despite a quality start on the mound for the Cardinals, they fell 4-0 in a night where the offense struggled to produce.
For the evening’s game, the starting pitchers were Jaime Garcia (3-3, 1.68) making his first start for the Cardinals since June 24th, going up against Mike Leake (8-5, 3.78).
In his return, Garcia looked sharp throughout the first half of the game, allowing just one hit through the first five innings. The sole hit had come during the top of the fourth inning, when Joey Votto singled to right field with one out. But the following play, Todd Frazier grounded into a double play to end the inning.
On the other side of the mound, Leake pitched very good as well, actually having himself a no-hitter through the first four innings of the game, until a single by Stephen Piscotty ended the no-hit bid.
During the top of the sixth inning, the Cincinnati Reds finally put runs on the board. Leake led off with a single to right field, which was followed with a sacrifice by Billy Hamilton, putting the pitcher Leake on second. After a strikeout by Jason Bourgeois, Brandon Phillips walked. With two on and two out, Votto hit a three-run home run to center field, giving the Reds a 3-0 lead.
Garcia was taken out prior to the start of the seventh inning, with his final line of the game being: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 Ks. Carlos Villanueva entered the game in relief, and pitched a shutout appearance.
Cincinnati was able to tack on one more run during the game in the top of the ninth inning. After Votto doubled with Randy Choate on the mound, Jay Bruce singled with Miguel Socolovich on the mound.
Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth, and put the Cardinals down in order, as the Reds won 4-0. With the win, they improve to 44-54, while the Cardinals drop to 64-36. Garcia falls to 3-4, and Leake improves to 9-5.
Tomorrow, John Lackey gets the start in the series finale.
(AP Photo/Scott Kane)
