Stanton Steals the Show as Marlins Down St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals came in to Monday’s game with a 4-28 record in games they’d given up six or more runs in. Make that 4-29 after the Marlins, and Giancarlo Stanton specifically, scored six runs off Shelby Miller and the Cardinals relievers to defeat St. Louis 6-5.
Aug 11, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (center) is greeted by teammates after hitting a two run home run during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Stanton unloaded on two Shelby Miller deliveries, a two-run homer in the first and a solo blast in the third, and made a diving catch on the warning track that robbed Kolten Wong of extra bases. The homers gave Stanton 31 on the season and gave him two more homers of 450+ feet than any team in the MLB has. That’s a mind blowing stat, especially when you consider that Stanton is just 24 years-old and may already be the strongest player in baseball.
Miller didn’t look particularly bad on Monday, striking out five in five innings while giving up five earned, but he was unable to avoid the big bats in the middle of the Marlins lineup. Sam Freeman looked impressive in his two innings of work, as he struckout four in two innings of work and gave up an unearned run on an AJ Pierzynski throwing error following a wild-pitch.
St. Louis was unable to come up with the timely hits they needed on Monday,despite scoring five runs and out-hitting the Marlins 12-11. The Cardinals had their opportunities in the game, stranding seven runners on the night and hitting into two double plays.
The Cards made it interesting in the ninth, pulling within one as Kolten Wong tripled home Peter Bourjos and Holliday followed up with an infield RBI single. Matt Adams, however, struckout with Holliday on first to end the game.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Holliday continued to stay hot, reaching base five times with two doubles and an RBI. Jon Jay added his second homerun of the Cardinals road trip and was making a return home to Miami, where he played his college ball for the University of Miami Hurricanes. The loss dropped the Cardinals to 62-55 on the season and got the Marlins within two games of a .500 record on the season.