Cardinals Outrun Diamondbacks 5‑4 in Nail‑Biter

Game Recap

The St. Louis Cardinals secured a hard‑fought 5‑4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night at Chase Field. Rookie JJ Wetherholt highlighted the win with a 402‑foot solo homer in the fifth, his 14th long ball of the season. After a back‑and‑forth contest, Iván Herrera delivered the go‑ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth to put the Cardinals ahead for good.

Masyn Winn powered the offensive effort with a three‑RBI night, including a two‑run single in the first frame and a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Arizona battled back, tying the game in the eighth on Corbin Carroll’s two‑run homer that clipped the right‑field foul pole—his first home run since June 17.

Key Plays in the Ninth

• José Fermín led off with a single that ricochetted off closer Paul Sewald’s glove. Jimmy Crooks followed with a walk, and Wetherholt singled to load the bases.
• With two outs, Herrera lofted a deep fly to left that fell deep enough to break the tie and bring the Cardinals ahead.
• Rescue pitcher Riley O’Brien recorded his 25th save. He issued a leadoff walk to Nolan Arenado, picked off pinch‑runner Jorge Barrosa, and later struck out Ketel Marte on a called third strike.

Pitcher Performances

Michael McGreevy worked 6 ⅓ innings for the Cardinals, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out five. The 26‑year‑old posted a 1.46 ERA over his last four starts. On the losing side, Merrill Kelly threw five innings for the D‑backs, surrendering three runs, only one of which was earned.

Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (3‑1, 4.70 ERA) will face St. Louis’s Dustin May (5‑6, 4.55 ERA) in the next contest.

Contract Spotlight: JJ Wetherholt

The rookie second baseman, who recently inked a $112.5 million, eight‑year contract through 2034, had a multi‑hit night and added a crucial home run. His long ball in the fifth gave the Cardinals a 3‑2 cushion and highlighted his emerging role in St. Louis’s outfield mix.

What Lies Ahead

The Cardinals head into the series looking to build on this tight victory, while the Diamondbacks will search for answers after another late‑inning slip. Fans can expect both clubs to adjust strategies as they prepare for Saturday’s tilt at the plate.