St. Louis Cardinals began a four game series hosting the San Francisco Giants on Labor Day Monday afternoon.
At the helm for Game One, Adam Wainwright. His power at Busch Stadium can not be denied this season holding a 2.43 ERA. On the road, (6.54 ERA) not so much, But, overall this season at home, he holds confidence doling out command and control with his competitive spirit.
He turned in an excellent stand Monday afternoon going deep, 7 IP, only giving up four hits, holding the Giants scoreless.
The most amazing part about his outing - only "one" strikeout ~ along with issuing no free passes.
"Waino" had eight groundballs, sixteen flyballs taking down the side in three of his innings, and only faced a total of 25 batters. He was effective in getting his outs with great defense behind him. Even though racking up 96 pitches, he also served up 62 strikes thrown.
Yes, Wainwright is tough at home and earned his tenth win for his seventh at home.
CARDINALS DID NOT HOLD OFF PUTTING RUNS ON THE BOARD.
In the first, Kolten Wong slugged out a RBI Triple to give Cardinals their first run on the board. Wong has four triples this season, the one yesterday was his third in his last three games. Paul Goldschmidt, who did ground out, but Wong crossed home for a 2-0 lead.
In the third, Paul DeJong would add their third run for the game with a RBI single - Goldschmidt in for the run for a 3-0 lead.
All were held scoreless, both Cardinals and Giants, until late in the game.
Giovanny Gallegos followed Wainwright, for the eighth, and not quite as sharp as has been in recent outings.
First batter faced, he had a 2-1 count facing Giants rookie Mauricio Dubon.
Next pitch, a slider which stayed up just enough for a rookie solo shot ~ Dubon's first major league home run. His game of 'firsts" as he also had his first major league double. Dubon had been recalled by the Giants August 27. This was his fourth game appearance since and holding a .267 BA with his 1 HR/1-3B on four hits with a 0-2/BB-SO ratio in his 15 AB.
An exciting day for a young player ... and, he was "Giants Player of the Game" saving a shutout.
Before being retired, Gio did get a strikeout 'after' he gave up a long ball. Andrew Miller followed ~ 1 BB/1 K. Then, Carlos Martinez took over with one runner on, two outs on the board and a Cardinals two run lead.
NO DRAMA FOR CARDINALS FANS FROM C MARTINEZ IN GAME ONE.
He came in the eighth and struck out Evan Longoria to close the inning. Back to close ~ taking down the side with two grounds outs and his second strikeout in his 1.1 IP to earn his 17th save.
NEXT UP
Cardinals Jack Flaherty (8-7/3.31 ERA) will face Giants Derek Rodriguez (5-7/4.29 ERA).
Cardinals got their win in Game One and look to do the same tonight. Game time for Game Two: 6:30 pm (CST) First Pitch: 6:45 pm.
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