Cards Win 2-1 Behind Another Mikolas Quality Start, Pham Homers In Series Opener At Petco
This Miles Mikolas guy, turns out he’s not too shabby. Mikolas added another quality start to his name, his fifth consecutive to be exact, moving to (5-0, 2.51) on the season.
The Cardinals would get on the board early for Mikolas, as Pham would cross the plate in the top of the 1st inning on a Cafecíto sac-fly to CF, Manuel Margot. Pham would single to reach base to begin the contest before moving up to second base on a wild pitch from Jordan Lyles. Lyles was making his first start of the season and was suppose to have around a 40-45 pitch limit, that didn’t happen. Pham would advance to third base on a passed ball before scoring on the Martínez SF.
Mikolas would induce three ground ball outs to begin his night, working another, quick-efficient, Mikolas type inning.
The only Padre to really have Mikolas’ number tonight was Franchy Cordero, who collected three of the five Padre hits, all off Mikolas. After hitting his first single to LF leading off the bottom of the 2nd, Mikolas got his first strikeout of the night on Chase Headley. A beautiful curveball low and on the outside corner.
The Cardinals would threaten in the top of the 4th. Swags Ozuna (2-4) would hit his second single of the game and then proceed to steal second base with ease. Paul DeJong would drop a single into the OF, forcing Ozuna to stay at third base, still with only one out in the inning. Jordan Lyles would work around danger, as Pírela and Galvis would turn a smooth 4-6-3 double-play on Kolten Wong to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the 4th, Pírela would rip a ball off the LF wall and Ozuna would play it perfectly, throwing a strike into Kolten Wong at second base. Pírela was called out on the play, trying to stretch a single into a double.
Mr. Steal Yo Girl aka Tommy Pham would give the Cardinals the insurance run they would need to win tonight, leading off the top of the 5th with a solo HR to LF. Pham would get a 3-2 hanging curveball from Jordan Lyles and unload on it, making it 2-0 Cardinals.
Mikolas would turn in his best inning of work in the 6th. After walking the leadoff man, pinch-hitter Matt Szczur, Mikolas would set down the next three in order. Carpenter would make a nice play in foul territory, bobbling a pop up, snow coning it for the first out. Mikolas followed that with back-to-back strikeouts of Hosmer and Pírela, both on high heaters. (94 & 96 mph).
Mikolas would go back out for the 7th inning, nearing the 100 pitch point. Cordero would greet him with his third consecutive hit, bringing up Headley. Mikolas would force a gigantic 4-6-3 double-play, Kolten Wong, you bad bad man. Raffy Lopez would keep the inning alive, hitting a two out solo HR to CF, cutting the lead in half at 2-1 Cardinals.
Matheny would turn to Jordan Hicks, and the kid just doesn’t disappoint. Hicks would get his only batter of the game, Freddy Galvis to fly out to LF, earning his third hold of the season.
Greg Holland would pitch the 8th, recording his third straight scoreless outing of May. Holland would also earn his first hold of 2018.
With a few days rest, Bud Norris was ready to close out tonight’s ballgame in sights of his 8th save. Norris would have a tough battle his first batter he would face, as Pírela would eventually strikeout on the 8th pitch, a filth slider on the outer half. Norris would get Cordero and Headley next, indeed earning his 8th save.
Luke Weaver (2-2, 5.60) will pitch game two tomorrow night against lefty, Eric Lauer* (1-1, 5.79). First pitch 9:10 c/t.
Thanks for reading, cheers!
Stew @StewStilez
Game 35 is 'In the Books'
Courtesy of Stew's Scorebook
