What an ending it was to a rather disappointing road trip for the Cardinals, as Andre Pallante put the team on his back to snatch a big series win from the Nats.
Pallante was grooving all afternoon, working a career high 8+IP, while also collecting a career-high in strikeouts with 8.
Pallante went through a stretch in the 2nd-5th innings, retiring 11 straight Nationals in-a-row. Just an absolute killer performance from Andre, as he had his entire pitch mix working, getting nine ground ball outs, helping that 63% groundball rate.
The offense was brought to you by Corey Dickerson and Paul DeJong, as we all expected, naturally.
Dickerson would blast a 3-run nuke off Gray with two outs in the 4th, belting a hanging curve to RF to open the game up to a 4-0 Cards lead. Dickerson would end the game a triple away from the cycle, having his first three-hit game since 08/28/21.
Pauly Deez would keep the HR swing hot, nailing his second HR in consecutive games since his call-up from Memphis. DeJong would work an incredible 8-pitch at bat vs Gray in the 6th, ending it by crushing the high fastball to dead CF for his 3rd HR of the season (106.2mph exit velocity, 421 feet).
Pallante would get the opportunity for the complete game shutout, but after giving up back-to-back hits to Barrera and Thomas to open the 9th, Marmol would turn to the alway reliable, Ryan Helsley, for the final three outs. With two runners in scoring position, Helsley would do typical Helsley things, stranding both inherited runners.
Helsley picked up back-to-back k’s to open things up, getting Hernández on 100mph gas, following it up by getting Soto looking at painted 102mph gas. Helsley secured the victory and Cards shutout by getting Bell to fly out to Carlson in CF.
The Cardinals have an off-day tomorrow before heading home for a 6-game homestand (3 vs Cubs, 3 vs Yankees). The trade deadline is Tuesday at 5pm c/t, we will wait anxiously and see what Mo has up his sleeve.
Uncle Charlie (7-8, 3.28) is the scheduled starter Tuesday, as the Cubs have a TBD right now. Yadi is scheduled to come back to catch Waino Tuesday evening, first pitch scheduled for 6:45pm c/t.
Cheers, Stew