Cardinals Win Season Opener 1-0

Mar 31, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Behind a masterful performance  by Adam Wainwright the St. Louis Cardinals won their first game of the season 1-0. The game was a pitchers duel between Wainwright and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto. Cueto made easy work of most of the Cardinal batters over his seven innings of work allowing only three hits and striking out eight batters. However he gave up one critical hit in his final inning of work.

Yadier Molina hit a solo shot off Cueto giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It proved to be enough offense as the Cardinals pitching staff carved the Reds apart.

There were few chances for the Cardinals to get runs but there were many for the Reds. The Cardinals had three errors, all by young talent in Peter Borjous, Kolten Wong, and Matt Adams. Wong had one that would have ended an inning but gave the Reds a chance to comeback late in the 8th inning, and so did Adams. However, Carlos Martinez was able to get out of the jam unscathed.

Trevor Rosenthal retired all three batters he saw in the ninth inning with ease.

Wainwright ended the day with three hits allowed over seven innings and had nine strikeouts.

This was the first time that the Reds were shutout on opening day for the first time since 1953.