In a thrilling extra-innings showdown, JJ Wetherholt delivered a game-winning two-run single in the 10th inning, propelling the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-5 triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cardinals nearly squandered a four-run lead as the Rays mounted a dramatic comeback in the ninth inning to force extras, setting the stage for Wetherholt's decisive hit. This victory marked a significant moment for the Cardinals, showcasing their resilience despite a late-game challenge.
The pivotal moment arrived in the bottom of the tenth. After Jordan Walker initiated the inning with a walk and Victor Scott II advanced the runners with a well-placed sacrifice bunt, Wetherholt stepped up to the plate. On the very first pitch, he sent the ball into right field, driving in two runs and securing his first career walk-off hit, much to the delight of the home crowd at Busch Stadium. This play not only sealed the win but also etched Wetherholt's name into the team's highlights.
The Rays, however, didn't make it easy. Trailing 4-0, they orchestrated a remarkable four-run rally in the ninth inning, pushing the game into extra innings. Jonathan Aranda's lead-off single sparked the comeback, followed by key hits from Chandler Simpson and Carson Williams, who combined to bring in runs and knot the score at four apiece. Nick Fortes then singled in Williams, further demonstrating the Rays' tenacity.
Before the late-game drama, Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy delivered a dominant performance, throwing six no-hit innings. He recorded five strikeouts and walked only two batters across 96 pitches, with 57 strikes. Rays pitcher Joe Boyle also had a solid outing, allowing just three hits and two earned runs over six innings, striking out four on 75 pitches. The Cardinals' initial lead came in the first inning, scoring two runs off Boyle before he settled down to retire 16 consecutive batters.
The Cardinals extended their lead with two insurance runs in the eighth inning against reliever Cole Sulser. Walker drew a lead-off walk, and Scott reached on an error. A sacrifice bunt by Scott, compounded by a dropped ball by Rays catcher Fortes, set up Ivan Herrera for an RBI double to left field, scoring Walker. Burleson then added another run with a deep fly out to center, further solidifying their advantage before the Rays' dramatic ninth-inning surge.
Despite giving up the lead in the ninth and another run in the tenth, Cardinals closer Ryne Stanek managed to secure the win, improving his record to 1-0. Griffin Jax, who conceded the decisive runs in the tenth, was credited with the loss for the Rays. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance and resilience, ultimately culminating in Wetherholt's clutch performance.
