Brendan Donovan’s two-run double powered the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 comeback win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, securing a three-game sweep. This victory ended the Orioles’ impressive streak of 106 series of two-plus decisions without being swept, which began in May 2022 and was the third-longest in National League/American League history.
Masyn Winn contributed significantly with a double, a homer, and two runs scored, helping the Cardinals erase an early 3-0 deficit. St. Louis has now won eight of its last 10 games.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cardinals completed a 3-1 win over the Orioles in a game that was suspended on Tuesday night due to rain.
Cardinals’ starting pitcher Kyle Gibson allowed three unearned runs on five hits over four innings in the scheduled game, striking out three and walking none. John King (1-1) earned the win with two scoreless innings, while Ryan Fernandez secured his first save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Baltimore’s starting pitcher John Means threw three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and two walks. Cole Irvin (4-2) took the loss for the Orioles, who have now dropped four of their last five games.
In the third inning, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was ejected by home plate umpire Charlie Ramos after protesting called strikes.
A fielding error by St. Louis third baseman Nolan Arenado in the third inning allowed the Orioles to capitalize. Gunnar Henderson’s RBI single, Ryan O’Hearn’s run-scoring groundout, and Anthony Santander’s RBI single gave Baltimore a 3-0 lead.
After a rain delay in the fourth inning, the Cardinals trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the fifth when Winn doubled and scored on Lars Nootbaar’s single.
Baltimore miscues in the sixth inning helped the Cardinals take a 4-3 lead. Arenado hit a one-out single, and Dylan Carlson’s potential double-play grounder was mishandled by Henderson at shortstop. Donovan then hit a two-run double, advanced to third on the throw home, and scored on catcher James McCann’s throwing error.
Winn’s solo homer to lead off the seventh inning extended St. Louis’ lead to 5-3.
In the ninth inning, singles by Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins, followed by pinch hitter Kyle Stowers’ sacrifice fly, brought the Orioles within one run, but the Cardinals held on for the win.
Also Read, Boston Celtics Edge Indiana Pacers in Thrilling Game 1 Overtime Victory
LeBron James Praises Caitlin Clark’s Impact on WNBA Popularity and Offers Career Advice
