This Day in St. Louis Sports History: April 8
April 7, 2013: St. Louis Cardinals Dominate Defending World Champion San Francisco Giants
On this day two years ago, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants during the final game of a three-game early-season series at AT&T Park, picking up a decisive 14-3 win.
There was no shortage of offense for the Cardinals on that Sunday, as the team tore apart the previously-dominant Matt Cain for nine runs in the fourth inning. Though the team only had three extra-base hits on the entire day, they were able to string together 12 singles, which allowed them to drive in an ample amount of runs. Rookie first baseman Matt Adams (3-for-4 with a double and two RBI) and first-year starter Matt Carpenter (3-for-5 with a double and three RBI) led the offensive attack, and every position player in the starting lineup added at least one hit.
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In fact, the offensive conditions were so optimal for the Cardinals on this particular day that utility infielder Ty Wigginton, one of the biggest failures of John Mozeliak’s tenure as general manager, picked up two of the nine hits that he would ultimately amass during his three-month career with the Cardinals.
Overshadowed a bit by the tremendous display of offense was the fact that Adam Wainwright had a terrific performance on the mound. Wainwright went seven innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while collecting six strikeouts. He was relieved by lefty Mark Rzepczysnki, who threw a perfect eighth inning, and righthander Joe Kelly, who allowed one earned run on three hits in the ninth.
Obviously, the game would serve as a precursor to a role reversal for the teams during the 2013 season, as the Giants struggled a fairly significant amount, while the Cardinals represented the National League in the World Series, losing in six games to the Boston Red Sox.