Tommy Edman belted two home runs, propelling the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 triumph over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday evening, in front of the season’s second-largest crowd at Kauffman Stadium.
Edman’s third career two-homer game unfolded before an audience of 37,016, marking the Royals’ most substantial attendance since opening day.
Edman drew inspiration from a significant source.
“A significant element of it was that it’s my wife’s birthday,” Edman explained. “She requested that I hit a home run today. I believe that’s what spurred it.”
Consequently, he has already accounted for the following year.
“She wasn’t anticipating two,” he acknowledged. “However, I tweaked my approach at the plate, and it yielded results.”
Nolan Arenado contributed three hits for St. Louis, snapping Kansas City’s seven-game streak of home victories.
Steven Matz (4-7) delivered six sturdy innings en route to the win. The 32-year-old southpaw allowed two runs on four hits, fanning five and walking none.
“It ultimately comes down to executing pitches, utilizing a mix, and keeping opponents off-balance with my fastball,” Matz stated. “(Andrew) Knizner called a splendid game, and the team executed some impressive defensive plays.”
Matz’s fourth consecutive quality start underscored his fifth successive commendable performance. Over his last five starts, he boasts a 4-0 record and an ERA of 1.24.
“This undoubtedly establishes a solid foundation,” Matz affirmed. “(I’m) resolutely focused on building upon this. My goal is continuous improvement.”
Jo Jo Romero secured his second save.
Cole Ragans (3-4) absorbed the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits across five innings. He struck out five but conceded a season-high four walks. In his initial three starts for the Royals following a trade on June 30, he had yielded only two runs over 17 2/3 innings.
“Too many deliveries located over the heart of the plate,” Ragans acknowledged regarding his struggles. “I failed to effectively command all my pitches. I left pitches hanging, and they capitalized.”
The Cardinals made an imprint on the scoreboard in the second inning, courtesy of Edman’s two-out, two-run home run. Another run was added in the third when Arenado pulled off a double along the left-field line, ushering in Andrew Knizner, who had secured a walk and advanced to second on a single from Paul Goldschmidt.
The Royals retaliated in the third via a two-run home run by Nelson Velazquez, the ball splashing into the fountains 441 feet from home plate. This marked Velazquez’s second home run in as many games. On the prior Friday night, he became the fifth Royals player to hit a home run in his inaugural plate appearance with the club.
In the fifth, the Cardinals extended their lead with a single by Willson Contreras, though they could have amassed more. With the bases loaded and one out, Ragans coerced Tyler O’Neill into grounding into a double play.
A run was added by the Cardinals in the eighth inning, courtesy of Edman’s second home run. However, the Royals responded with an RBI single from Kyle Isbel. An additional run was added in the ninth, originating from an infield hit by Matt Duffy, before Isbel’s game-ending double play.
TRANSACTIONS:
Cardinals: On Thursday, the Cardinals placed OF Dylan Carlson on the 10-day injured list due to a retroactive left oblique strain. Manager Oliver Marmol revealed that Carlson sustained the oblique injury during a swing on Wednesday in Tampa Bay. He was replaced on the roster by 1B Luken Baker, who received a recall from Triple-A Memphis.
Royals: RHP Jonathan Heasley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by Kansas City. In Friday night’s 12-8 victory, Heasley conceded two hits and two runs over an inning of relief. As a corresponding move, RHP Max Castillo was summoned for his fourth stint with Kansas City this season.
TRAINING ROOM:
Royals: On Saturday, 3B Maikel Garcia was absent from the lineup. He exited Friday’s game due to discomfort in the upper body’s left region. Manager Matt Quatraro conveyed that Garcia continues to experience some soreness, though no further diagnostic tests are foreseen. Garcia is expected to be available for Monday’s game against Seattle.
UP NEXT:
Cardinals: On Sunday, the Cardinals are slated for their first day off since 1995. Subsequent to the Rams’ inaugural home game in St. Louis, the Cardinals will return home to commence a three-game series versus Oakland on Monday. RHP Miles Mikolas (6-8, 4.20 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Cards, while the A’s have yet to designate a starter.
Royals: Following the initial scheduled Sunday off day in club history, the Royals will embark on a four-game series opposite the Seattle Mariners. RHP Brady Singer (8-8, 5.05 ERA) will initiate the start for Kansas City, squaring off against RHP Logan Gilbert (10-5, 3.66 ERA).
MLB scoreboard for Saturday, August 12, 2023:
Detroit 6, Boston 2
Atlanta 21, NY Mets 3 (Game 1)
Tampa Bay 6, Cleveland 5
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh – PP – Rain
Houston 11, LA Angels 3
Atlanta 6, NY Mets 1 (Game 2)
Baltimore 1, Seattle 0 (10)
Arizona 3, San Diego 0
Chicago Cubs 5, Toronto 4
LA Dodgers 4, Colorado 1
Miami 3, NY Yankees 1
Minnesota 8, Philadelphia 1
Washington 3, Oakland 2
St. Louis 5, Kansas City 4
Milwaukee 3, Chicago White Sox 2
Texas 9, San Francisco 3
MLB scoreboard for Sunday, August 13, 2023:
Boston 6, Detroit 3
Pittsburgh 4, Cincinnati 2 (Game 1)
Cleveland 9, Tampa Bay 2
LA Dodgers 8, Colorado 3
LA Angels 2, Houston 1
Arizona 5, San Diego 4
Baltimore 5, Seattle 3 (10)
Cincinnati 6, Pittsburgh 5 (10) (Game 2)
Washington 8, Oakland 7
NY Mets 7, Atlanta 6
Minnesota 3, Philadelphia 0
Toronto 11, Chicago Cubs 4
Miami 8, NY Yankees 7
Milwaukee 7, Chicago White Sox 3
San Francisco 3, Texas 2 (10)
