The St. Louis Cardinals finally lost a game to the Chicago Cubs this season, falling 5-1 on Saturday.
The Cardinals jumped in front of Chicago on Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, but the Cubs responded with two runs in the bottom half.
Cardinals manager Olivar Marmol pulled pitcher Andre Pallante with one out and runners on first and second. Chris Roycroft came in and mishandled Nico Hoerner's grounder up the first base line, allowing Cody Bellinger to score. Seiya Suzuki then scored on Dansby Swanson's grounder in front of home plate.
After the game, Marmol had positive things to say about Pallante's outing for the Cardinals – despite yanking him after only 59 pitches, per Bally Sports Midwest:
Of course, Cardinals fans – who have criticized Marmol all season long – aren't having it.
SportingTurbo – “But why did you pull him early?”
Scott Schmidt – “Games like this are a reminder why I despise Oli as a manager. Has zero feel for how to manage in the moment”
Jerry H – ““Commanded it well, the sinker was a good pitch for him, he landed the slider. “ What part of that says pull him after 59 pitches ?????”
Nic Mizeur – “I thought he threw it so well I yanked him after 10 outs so my bullpen could get 17 outs… but we lost so they only needed 14 outs, which is good, cause I'm a bad manager and the worst at managing my pen. Sheesh. Oli just lying to the fans”
David – “I thought he threw really well, commanded it well, the sinker was good, so I thought it was time to take him out. Oliver is such a smart logical thinker. At least in his mind. Maybe he’ll let Mikolas throw 64 pitches tomorrow.”
Joe Gallagher – “Yes he has. And he was today. But that’s not the question. The question is “4th inning”?????????”
Up next for the Cardinals, Right-hander Miles Mikolas (4-6, 4.85 ERA) goes up against Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.09 ERA) on Sunday in the series finale.
Cardinals get Willson Contreras injury update
Catcher Willson Contreras is responding well after completing batting practice and is moving forward in his recovery process. He'll repeat the BP sessions the next few days before starting a Minor League rehab stint, as he’ll need medical clearance first.
The 32-year-old slugger suffered a left forearm fracture when New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez inadvertently hit him with the bat on May 7 and has been on the injured list since. There are still some hurdles he needs to clear, but he is aiming for a late-June return to the Cardinals.
Contreras could be a huge boost to a Cardinals team that is still within striking distance of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. While it's not so much that St. Louis has been stellar this season, the division has been middling enough that any team that catches fire in the second half could reasonably come out on top.
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