ST. LOUIS — Just when it appeared the Cardinals were going to bobble away their chance at sweeping their first series of the year, the Orioles returned the favor.
The Cardinals took advantage of two Baltimore errors to score three runs in the sixth inning on their way to the win on Wednesday at Busch Stadium after they also won the completion of Tuesday night’s suspended game.
The victories gave the Cardinals their first series sweep after they had gone 0-6 when they had that chance so far this year. It also was the first time the Orioles have been swept in a series since 2022, having won or split each of their last 106 series. That was the longest streak by a team without being swept since the 1942-44 Cardinals went 125 consecutive series without being swept.
The Cardinals trailed 3-1 going to the sixth, having allowed three unearned runs in the third inning following an error by Nolan Arenado.
The Orioles scored seven runs in the three-game series, six of which were unearned because of Cardinals’ errors. The Cardinals have committed at least one error in each of their last nine games.
Manager Oli Marmol was not around for the end of the game after he was ejected by home plate umpire Charlie Ramos for arguing a strike three call against Lars Nootbaar in the third inning.
Nootbaar had been ejected on Tuesday night by Laz Diaz, also upset after being called out on strikes.
Here is how Wednesday’s game broke down:
At the plate: After winning the completion of the suspended game 3-1 on a two-run homer by Nolan Gorman in the sixth inning, the Cardinals had to wait out a one hour, 25-minute rain delay in the regularly scheduled game … Masyn Winn extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double in the fifth inning, then scored on a single by Nootbaar … After Arenado led off the sixth with a single, Gunner Henderson booted a grounder with one out to allow Dylan Carlson to reach base, and Brendan Donovan followed with a two-run double that tied the game. Donovan went to third on the throw home and completed the Little League homer on a throwing error by catcher James McCann … Winn provided what turned out to be the winning run with his second home run of the season leading off the seventh … The Cardinals have now hit at least one home run in each of their last 10 games.
On the mound: It was a big day for the Cardinals bullpen. Lance Lynn was credited with the win in the completion of the suspended game – on a day when he didn’t throw a pitch. The trio of Andrew Kittredge, JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley allowed a combined one hit over the final three innings … Kyle Gibson’s start was cut short after four innings because of rain, and in this game John King, Kyle Leahy and Ryan Fernandez allowed one run over the final five innings. King and Leahy each worked two scoreless innings before Fernandez earned his first career save despite allowing two hits and a run in the ninth, helped out by a great catch by Nootbaar which turned into a potential game-saving double play.
Key stat: The nine-game streak of committing at least one error is the longest by the Cardinals since they committed an error in 10 consecutive games in 2002. Their longest streak in the last 100 years is 16 consecutive games with at least one error in 1975.
Worth noting: The Cardinals matched their season-high of three consecutive victories. They have won five of their last six games and eight of the last 10 … It was only their third win in the final game of the 16 series they have played this season … Marmol’s ejection was his second of the year and 11th of his career … Chris Roycroft was brought back from Memphis to be the 27th game for the second game but did not pitch.
Looking ahead: After a day off on Thursday, the Cardinals will see the Cubs for the first time this year for a three-game series that begins on Friday night at Busch Stadium. Miles Mikolas is the scheduled starter for the series opener.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
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