The St. Louis Cardinals saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on April 21 as they lost 5-3 to the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park.
The game was closely contested, with both teams relying on situational play and small moments. The Cardinals have focused on disciplined execution, including careful baserunning and situational hitting, as part of their identity this season.
Leadoff hitter JJ Wetherholt said before the game, “It’s just trying to do everything right. So it’s annoying to play against, is kind of what [manager] Oli [Marmol] talked about a lot. Taking care of the baseball, stealing bags, bunting guys over — just things that other teams are going to notice.”
Jordan Walker extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single and added a walk and stolen base before scoring twice for the Cardinals. Manager Oli Marmol said after the game, “Those are the little things that when you lose, don’t get highlighted. We have to continue to do those things, win or lose, because it has to be a big part of our game.” Walker commented on his approach this year: “Right now, instead of trying to overwork and do too much, I’m trying, when I’m not feeling as good, to do less and stay more relaxed. I think that’s just the approach that’s helped me a little bit more this year.”
Walker also credited outfield coach Jon Jay for helping him improve his baserunning: “I’m realizing more how important it is just getting in scoring position… I don’t think I appreciated that as much earlier in my career.” Masyn Winn contributed with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and extended his own hitting streak during the sixth.
Defensively, Walker made an impact by throwing out Xavier Edwards at third base in the eighth inning after Liam Hicks delivered an RBI single for Miami. Marmol said about these plays: “The relay there was great… I thought overall, the guys continue to not let the other team take advantage of situations like that.” In their final rally attempt during the ninth inning Winn hit a triple—the team’s first of the season—before Ramón UrÃas drove him home with a sacrifice fly.
Looking ahead after their close loss Marmol said: “We had a tough time picking up the sweeper quite a bit so credit to [starter Max Meyer], but at the end of day we just couldn’t put enough quality at-bats together… Took a shot at end but came up short.”
