Cardinals Tame Skenes, Halt Skid with Offensive Outburst
St. Louis Offense Hammers Pirates’ Ace in Crucial Victory
PITTSBURGH – The St. Louis Cardinals snapped a four-game losing streak Tuesday with a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighted by a potent offensive performance against Pirates’ star right-hander Paul Skenes.The Cardinals are the only team to defeat Skenes twice in 2024.
skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game starter, and a third-place finisher in NL Cy Young voting in 2024, was tagged for a career-high five earned runs on six hits. This Cardinals’ victory showcases their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, a trait that has defined their offense early in the season.
Cardinals’ Offense Proves Too Much
The Cardinals’ offense, which has consistently scored at least four runs in every game this season, continued their notable streak. Their ability to string together hits and capitalize with runners in scoring position proved to be the difference-maker against Skenes.
The Cardinals reached Skenes for three earned runs in the third inning. Singles by Pedro Pagés and Masyn Winn set the stage for Victor Scott II, who drilled a 98.3 mph four-seam fastball into the right-center gap for a triple. Later, Brendan Donovan doubled to lead off the sixth and scored on a single by Alec Burleson.
Victor Scott II Spark Plugs Offense
Victor scott II had a breakout game, notching his first career triple, a double, and two RBIs – all against Skenes. Scott’s aggressiveness on the basepaths was a key factor in the Cardinals’ offensive success. “I think this lineup is scary though. When everybody is clicking and thay are sticking to their approach, it’s a scary offense for sure,” said Scott.
“the ability to get moving and no that ball is supposed to be a double and that other ball is supposed to be a triple when it’s off my bat, that’s a testament to me not breaking stride,” said Scott.
Donovan Continues hot Hitting
Brendan Donovan contributed two hits, continuing his impressive start to the season. His 17 hits are tied for second-most in the Majors.“It’s a relentless bunch.We have a team [offensive] plan and then individualized reports and [hitting coach Brant Brown], [assistant hitting coach Brandon Allen] and [gameday planning coach Packy Elkins] do grate jobs with that. It’s just up to us to execute that approach,and we did that tonight,” Donovan said.
Gray Solid on the Mound
Sonny Gray limited the Pirates to one run over five innings. “We had a tough stretch with some long days, late travel and crappy weather – you can make excuses or deal with it,” said Gray. “Then, you’re coming here facing arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball.We were able to put up three [runs] in the third and we didn’t stop there.That was a big win.”
Skenes’ Viewpoint
“It’s not something I’m going to lose any sleep over,” said Skenes, who has suffered four losses in his short MLB career — three of which have come at the hands of the cardinals. “It’s just,it’s the game. They’re big leaguers.This is their fourth time seeing me. That’s just sort of how it goes. Got to tip your cap. They just executed a little better than I did today.”
Offensive Records in Sight
The Cardinals offense that set the NL record for consecutive games with double-digit hits (nine) to open the season has scored at least four runs in 11 straight games. That is one game shy of the NL record to open a season, one set by the 1954 Cardinals. The 1978 Red Sox and 1932 Yankees hold the record for consecutive games with at least four runs scored to open a season at 13.
What is the importance of the Cardinals being the only team to defeat Paul Skenes twice this season?
Cardinals Tame skenes, Halt Skid: Q&A
Your Guide to the Cardinals’ Big win
Dive deeper into the St.Louis Cardinals’ remarkable victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Q&A Section:
What was the key to the Cardinals’ victory?
The Cardinals’ offence was the star, specifically their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and string together hits, particularly against Paul Skenes.Victor Scott II’s aggressive base running and timely hits were also crucial.
Who is Paul Skenes and why is this win critically important?
Paul Skenes is a highly-regarded pitcher for the Pittsburgh pirates, a reigning Rookie of the Year, All-Star starter, and Cy Young contender.The Cardinals are the only team to beat him twice in 2024, making this victory a testament to their offensive prowess.
What did Victor Scott II do in the game?
Victor Scott II had a breakout performance, including his first career triple and a double, driving in two runs. his speed and aggressiveness on the basepaths were a major factor in the Cardinals’ success. Trivia: Did you know scott was a highly-ranked prospect known for his speed before he made it to the majors?
How did Brendan Donovan contribute?
Brendan Donovan had two hits, continuing his strong start to the season. He’s tied for second-most hits in the Majors. Donovan is known for his versatility as a player.
How did Sonny Gray perform on the mound?
Sonny Gray pitched well, limiting the Pirates to one run over five innings.
What offensive records are in sight for the Cardinals?
The Cardinals have scored at least four runs in 11 straight games, one shy of the NL record to open a season (set by the 1954 Cardinals at 12 games). The all-time record of 13 games is held by the 1978 Red Sox and 1932 Yankees.
What’s Skenes’ take on the loss?
Skenes acknowledged the Cardinals’ strong performance, saying they “executed a little better” and that he wasn’t going to “lose any sleep over it.”
The Cardinals’ victory showcased their resilience and offensive firepower. Keep an eye on their record-chasing run!
