“Rookie Nathan Church Makes Big Impact in First Week with Cardinals, Despite Still Searching for First Hit”
In his first week with the Cardinals, Nathan Church may not have gotten his first hit yet, but he’s certainly been making his presence known on the field. The rookie outfielder reached base twice, scored two runs, and even made a crucial outfield assist in Thursday night’s game against the Rays in Tampa.
With the Cardinals holding onto a 6-3 lead in the sixth inning, Church’s throw to third base ended the inning and prevented a runner from scoring. This key play helped secure the win for the team and showcased Church’s defensive skills.
Despite not yet getting a hit, Church’s contributions to the team have not gone unnoticed. He has been a valuable asset in the outfield and has shown potential for even more success in the future. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make an impact for the Cardinals.
Sonny Gray Leads Cardinals to Victory Over Rays with Strong Pitching Performance
In a thrilling game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sonny Gray led the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-4 victory on Thursday night. Despite allowing three runs on six hits in five innings, Gray’s six strikeouts and a walk were enough to secure the win for the Cardinals.
Nathan Church Shines in First Week with Cardinals
Despite not yet recording a hit, Nathan Church has been making a big impact for the Cardinals in his first week with the team. In Thursday’s game, Church reached base twice, scored two runs, and made a crucial outfield assist that helped secure the win over the Rays.
With the Cardinals leading 6-3 in the sixth inning, Church threw out a runner at third base to end the inning and prevent a run from scoring. He also stole his first base and added his second RBI on a fielder’s choice. Although he is hitless in 14 at-bats, Church’s defensive skills have been on full display, solidifying his reputation as the best defensive outfielder in the Cardinals’ farm system.
Game Recap: Cardinals Dominate at the Plate
The Cardinals got off to a strong start, scoring five runs in the second inning thanks to a throwing error, a walk, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson each had key hits, with Nootbaar’s RBI double and Burleson’s two-run single contributing to the Cardinals’ early lead. Ivan Herrera also drove in Church with a single in the fourth inning.
After the fifth inning, the Cardinals’ only hit was a home run by Willson Contreras in the seventh, his second consecutive game with a home run and his team-leading 18th of the season.
Sonny Gray Leads Strong Pitching Performance
Aside from Gray’s solid performance, Kyle Leahy and Matt Svanson also contributed to the Cardinals’ pitching success. Leahy allowed three hits and two walks in just three outs, but Church’s outfield assist helped prevent any runs from scoring. Svanson allowed one inherited runner to score in the seventh, but JoJo Romero came in for the six-out save, striking out three batters in the process.
Key Stat: Church’s Hitless Streak Continues
Despite his impressive defensive plays, Church’s streak of 14 at-bats without a hit is the longest by a Cardinals position player to start their career since Miquel Mejia in 1996.
Notable Performances from Nootbaar and Gorman
Lars Nootbaar continued his hot streak, extending his multi-hit game streak to five with a single and a double. He also drew his first walk since July 11. Nolan Gorman also had a strong performance, recording two hits with a single and a double. Burleson and Contreras also contributed two hits each to the Cardinals’ 10-hit total.
Up Next: Mikolas Takes the Mound for Game 2
The Cardinals will look to continue their winning streak with Miles Mikolas on the mound for game two of the series against the Rays. With strong performances from both their offense and pitching staff, the Cardinals are poised for another exciting game.
