Cardinals Avert Sweep, Snag Rare Win Against Rays

Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, August 13th 2025 at 17:58 GMT by Sporting News
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It was one they had to get and didn't.

St. Louis Cardinals Avoid Complete Disaster in Wednesday Clash Against Rays

In a season fraught with disappointments and underperformance, the St. Louis Cardinals managed to salvage a sliver of pride and momentum on Wednesday, steering clear of what could have been a utterly demoralizing sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cardinals, who have been mired in a campaign that has seen them plummet from preseason contenders to cellar dwellers in the National League Central, entered the finale of their three-game series at Tropicana Field desperate for a win. With a record hovering well below .500 and playoff hopes long extinguished, another loss would have compounded the narrative of a lost year, potentially deepening the frustrations of fans and fueling calls for significant offseason changes. But in a gritty, come-from-behind effort, St. Louis emerged victorious with a 6-4 triumph, providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy 2023 slate.

The game itself was a microcosm of the Cardinals' turbulent season—filled with early miscues, resilient pitching adjustments, and timely hitting that ultimately tipped the scales. The Rays, boasting a potent lineup and a knack for exploiting opponents' weaknesses, jumped out to an early lead, capitalizing on some shaky defense and command issues from Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson. In the bottom of the first inning, Tampa Bay's offense wasted no time, with Yandy Díaz and Wander Franco combining for key hits that plated two runs, setting a tone that suggested another lopsided affair. Hudson, who has been inconsistent throughout the year, struggled with his location, allowing baserunners and elevating his pitch count prematurely. By the third inning, the Rays had extended their advantage to 3-0, thanks to a solo home run from Brandon Lowe, whose power surge has been a thorn in the side of many National League teams during interleague play.

For the Cardinals, the early deficit evoked memories of countless games this season where leads slipped away or comebacks fell short. The team's offense, which has been a shadow of its former self despite talents like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, appeared sluggish initially. Goldschmidt, the reigning NL MVP, grounded into a double play in the first, and Arenado struck out looking in a crucial spot. Manager Oliver Marmol, under increasing scrutiny for his in-game decisions and the team's overall lack of execution, faced mounting pressure as the innings ticked by. Whispers in the dugout and among the broadcast crew hinted at the psychological toll of yet another potential defeat, especially against a Rays squad that has thrived on efficiency and opportunism.

However, the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning, where the Cardinals' bats finally awakened. It started innocuously with a leadoff single from Lars Nootbaar, whose energy and hustle have been among the few consistent positives for St. Louis this year. Nootbaar advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a sharply hit double by Tommy Edman, who has battled injuries but shown flashes of his versatile skill set. The rally gained steam when Goldschmidt redeemed his earlier at-bat with a towering two-run homer to left-center, tying the game at 3-3 and injecting life into the Cardinals' bench. The crowd at Tropicana Field, predominantly Rays supporters, fell into a hush as the momentum shifted palpably. Arenado followed suit in the sixth, delivering a clutch RBI single that gave St. Louis its first lead of the game.

Pitching proved pivotal in preserving the slim advantage. After Hudson's early exit, the Cardinals' bullpen—a unit that has been notoriously unreliable this season—stepped up admirably. Relievers like Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero navigated high-leverage situations with poise, striking out key Rays hitters and inducing groundouts to escape jams. In the seventh, with runners on the corners and one out, Romero's slider baffled Randy Arozarena, who swung through for a crucial strikeout, preventing Tampa Bay from tying the score. The Cardinals added insurance runs in the eighth via a sacrifice fly from Willson Contreras and an error by the Rays' infield, pushing the lead to 6-4. Closer Ryan Helsley, despite some late-inning drama including a solo homer allowed to Isaac Paredes, slammed the door in the ninth, securing the win with a pair of strikeouts.

This victory, while not a panacea for the Cardinals' broader issues, averted what Marmol later described as a "complete disaster" in the series. Losing all three games to the Rays would have dropped St. Louis further into irrelevance, exacerbating their 20-plus games under .500 mark and intensifying speculation about front-office shakeups. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak has already faced criticism for offseason moves that failed to bolster the pitching staff adequately, and a sweep might have accelerated discussions about his future. Instead, the win offered a momentary reprieve, allowing players like Goldschmidt to reflect on the importance of finishing strong, even in a lost season. "We owed it to ourselves and the fans to fight back," Goldschmidt said post-game, emphasizing the team's resolve despite the standings.

Broader implications ripple from this game. For the Cardinals, it's a reminder that talent still resides on the roster, even if consistency has eluded them. Young players like Jordan Walker, who contributed a key hit off the bench, represent hope for 2024, while veterans provide leadership in turbulent times. The Rays, meanwhile, saw their wild-card positioning take a minor hit, though their overall strength keeps them in contention. Analytically, the game highlighted St. Louis' ongoing struggles with starting pitching—Hudson's ERA ballooned further—but also showcased their potential for offensive explosions when the stars align.

Looking ahead, the Cardinals return home for a series against the Kansas City Royals, another interleague matchup that could either build on this momentum or revert to form. Marmol stressed the need for better execution across the board, from base running to bullpen management. Fans, weary from a season that promised much but delivered little, can at least cling to this Wednesday win as evidence that the team hasn't entirely checked out. In the grand scheme, avoiding a sweep doesn't rewrite the narrative of 2023, but it prevents it from descending into total farce. As the dog days of August wear on, St. Louis must harness this grit to end the year on a note that inspires optimism for rebuilding efforts. Whether this sparks a late-season surge or stands as an isolated highlight remains to be seen, but for one afternoon, the Cardinals dodged disaster and reminded the baseball world of their latent capabilities.

In dissecting the game's nuances, it's worth noting how defensive plays factored in. The Cardinals, plagued by errors throughout the year, committed none on Wednesday, a rarity that Marmol praised as foundational to the win. Tampa Bay, conversely, faltered with a throwing miscue that allowed an extra run, underscoring how small margins define outcomes in tight contests. Offensively, St. Louis' approach at the plate shifted mid-game, focusing on working counts and capitalizing on Rays starter Zach Eflin's fatigue. Eflin, who has been a steady force for Tampa Bay, saw his command wane after the fourth, leading to elevated pitches that Goldschmidt and company punished.

This performance also shines a light on individual storylines. Nootbaar's return from injury has injected athleticism into the outfield, while Edman's multi-positional value continues to be a asset amid roster flux. For the Rays, the loss serves as a cautionary tale against complacency, especially with the AL East race tightening. As both teams press forward, Wednesday's result encapsulates the unpredictability of baseball: even in a down year, a single game can alter perceptions and provide a foundation for hope.

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Cardinals Avert Sweep, Snag Rare Win Against Rays

St. Louis Cardinals Avoid Complete Disaster in Wednesday Clash Against Rays