Cardinals Fall Hard in Anaheim as Angels Dominate

Early Pressure Sends Angels Ahead

The Cardinals opened the game with a brief spark, as Iván Herrera and Alec Burleson each singled in the first inning, only to see those hopes vanish. Jordan Walker’s flyout and Lars Nootbaar’s strikeout left the bases empty, a moment the broadcast dubbed “Bummer part one.” The Angels, however, exploded against starter Matthew Liberatore, scoring five runs in the frame to take a 5‑0 lead.

Neto led off with a single, followed by Mike Trout’s identical move, before Schanuel walked to load the bags. Jorge Soler’s double drove in both runners, and Grissom’s single added another run. Jo Adell capped the inning with a 405‑foot blast off a 79 mph curveball, cementing the early onslaught.

Liberatore Takes the Hit Early

Liberatore’s outing unraveled quickly as the Angels rode his misfires to build the big inning. After the five‑run barrage, he steadied himself and limited further damage through the middle frames. He was removed after 95 pitches in the sixth, having surrendered the initial six hits.

Mid‑Inning Resurgence

The Cardinals finally broke through in the fifth when Nathan Church led off with a flyout. Blaze Jordan singled, advanced to third on Bryan Torres’ hit, and Jordan scored on JJ Wetherholt’s groundout. The Cardinals narrowed the gap to 5‑1, a crucial rally in a otherwise quiet offensive showcase.

Offense Stalls in Late Frames

José Fermín’s near‑home‑run effort and JJ Wetherholt’s close‑call single in the seventh offered a fleeting glimpse of hope. Jordan Walker maintained his 12‑game hitting streak with a glancing ball that ricocheted off third base in the ninth. Chip Caray’s extended biography of Adele was aired late, adding a quirky soundtrack to the Cardinals’ struggles.

Relievers Matt Svanson and Scott Blewett kept the Angels from extending their advantage, each closing out their respective innings cleanly. Despite these efforts, the Cardinals could not generate enough offense to close the gap. The game ended with the Angels securing a decisive victory and extending their series lead.

Game Preview and Road Trip Context

The Cardinals will look to snap their losing streak Wednesday afternoon at Angel Stadium, sending Hunter Dobbins to the mound against Reid Detmers. This marks the third game of a road trip that has been described as “massively disappointing.” Fans can watch the contest via Cardinals.tv, with first pitch slated for 3:07 p.m. central time.