The Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong Game, Cards Power Past Chi-Sox 14-2
Miles Mikolas, representing the Cardinals next week in the Midsummer Classic, was the story coming into tonight’s game. But by the end of it, we would all be talking about Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong.
Dylan Covey and The Lizard King would match each other over the first two frames, both working two scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Covey would strikeout four through his two innings, as Mikolas would one-up him, striking out five of the first six he faced. Mikolas had sharp breaking pitches this evening, particularly in the first two innings, as four of his strikeouts came via breaking pitches. The Lizard King would strikeout the side in the second inning, as the Cardinals bats were about to get cracking.
Covey worked two quick outs to begin the top of the 3rd inning when, you guessed it, another Cardinals two-out rally was sparked. Carp, DeJong, Cafecíto, and Swags would rake four consecutive singles, Cafecíto’s and Swags bringing in Carp and DeJong to make it 2-0 Birds.
But, shutdown innings don’t exist in Cardinal fandom, so the White Sox naturally tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the 3rd. Narváez hit a single, Anderson hit a double to LF, and ex-Cardinal prospect, Charlie Tilson, knocked them both in with a 2-run single to RF. With the top of the order for the Sox coming up, Mikolas would buckle back down, retiring the next three in order to escape further trouble.
Trap House was first pitch swinging in the top of the 4th, lining a double down the LF line. Dex (2-5, 4 RBI) would knock his first hit of the night into LF, blooping a single to put runners on the corners for Muñoz, playing in CF for the late-scratch, Tommy Pham. Muñoz would ground into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, bringing in Jedd to make it 3-2. Kolten Wong (4-5, 2 RBI) would then rip a double into the RF gap, and Oquendo would wave around Muñoz to score, Muñoz was gunned down at the plate. This was a bit confusing, given that Muñoz just fouled a ball off his foot, and Matt Carpenter was on deck. Needless to say, Carp would strikeout to end the inning
The Lizard King would throw three more scoreless/hitless innings in this contest, as the bats kept chugging along for their All-Star. Mikolas would toss a 10 pitch 4th inning, starting the inning with his 6th strikeout on Palka.
Mikolas would retire the Sox in order for the second consecutive inning in the 5th, getting three ground outs on 17 pitches.
Meanwhile, the bats would add 8 runs of insurance over the course of those two innings. Pauly D would reach base on an error from Tim Anderson and Cafecíto would line a single to CF, bringing in Swags. Swags would fly out to deep CF, and DeJong would tag on the play. Yadi, who was the only starter not to get a hit tonight, added his contribution with a sac-fly to Tilson in CF, scoring DeJong to make it 4-2.
The Cardinals would bat around in the 5th inning, plating 7 runs, making Rick Renteria go to his bullpen three separate times. Muñoz got things started with a base-hit to CF, ending the night for Covey. The lefty, Jace Fry would relieve Covey, and Wong would greet him with the most beautiful bunt of all time, laying it perfectly down the first base line. Carp would draw a walk to load the bases for DeJong, who would strikeout on a cutter in the dirt from Fry. Bruce Rondón would relieve Fry after the strikeout, and get Cafecíto to swing at the first pitch, forcing him to pop out to García.
With two outs and Swags batting, Rondón would throw a pitch that would get away from Narváez for a past ball, scoring Muñoz. Swags would walk to load the bases, again. With Yadi now at the dish, Rondón would throw a wild pitch, allowing all runners to advance 90 feet, Wong scoring on the play. Yadi, too, would work a walk to load the bases right back up. Trap House would draw a walk on four straight pitches, picking up the easy RBI as Carp scored to make it 7-2. Rondón would exit after throwing only 14 pitches, only 2 for strikes. Hector Santiago would relieve Rondón, and also finish the game for the White Sox bullpen. Santiago’s first batter was the right-handed version of Dexter Fowler, who has NEVER hit a grand-slam in his career from the right side, until tonight. Dex would take Santiago deep to LCF, 393 feet, 101 mph exit velo, making it 11-2 Cardinals.
Mikolas would toss his final inning of the night, working around a leadoff walk to Moncada. Sánchez would pop out to Wong and Abreu would ground into a 4-6-3 double-play.
Lizard King’s final line: (6IP, 3 hits, 2r/2er, 1 bb, 6 k’s, 91 pitches, 68 game score)
Kolten Wong would add two more runs to the scoreboard for the Cardinals tonight in the 8th inning. With two outs and Trap House on first, Wong would line a 2-run shot to RCF, sending it 409 feet at 102 mph off the bat. Wong ended his night (4-5) a triple away from the cycle. Since 07/03 he is (11/22) with 2 doubles, a triple, a HR, 5 RBI’s, and a stolen base. To further the point, his slash line this past week is insane, all of this on the road too.(.500/.522/.772/1.294)
Cafecíto would add his second RBI, 55th of the campaign in the top of the 9th, ripping a double into the RF corner, scoring DeJong after reaching on an infield single.
Cecil, Holland, and Brebbia worked the final three innings, allowing no runs on two hits, while striking out three.
Luke Weaver (5-7, 4.92) looks to finish off a quick two-game sweep of the Sox tomorrow as he goes against the lefty, Carlos Rodón (1-3, 4.29). First pitch 7:10 c/t.
Thanks for reading, cheers!
Game 90 is in the books
by Stew/@StewStilez
