Cardinals pitcher Dustin May helped secure a 5-3 victory over the Marlins at loanDepot park, according to an April 22 game recap. Manager Oliver Marmol said before the game that getting ahead early is key for May’s success on the mound.
The performance matters as it marks May’s third consecutive start pitching into at least the sixth inning, helping stabilize the Cardinals’ rotation. His latest outing also matches his career-best streak of three straight wins and lowers his season earned run average to 5.84 after five starts.
May allowed one run on six hits over five and one-third innings, throwing 97 pitches. The only run he surrendered was a leadoff home run in the first inning. “I felt like I fought pretty well to get back into counts and put myself in a good position to move forward,” said May. “But that being said, if I would have attacked a little better earlier in the counts, then I probably would have went a little bit deeper in the game.” Marmol added: “He didn’t [get ahead in the count] to the same degree that he did his last two starts. I felt like he established the fastball better, sinker [too]. Well, the sweeper [wasn’t] landing the way he wanted it. But at the same time, like when he gets ahead, it’s a different game for him.” He also said of May: “Competed extremely well and made pitches when needed. Had some hard contact early but was able to still give us a good look.”
May used his four-seam fastball, cutter and sinker as primary weapons throughout his outing while working with six different pitches overall.
The bullpen held off Miami’s late push by allowing two runs in the eighth but closed out with George Soriano recording an important out and Riley O’Brien securing final outs for St. Louis.
On offense, JJ Wetherholt scored twice from leadoff; Masyn Winn extended his hitting streak; Nathan Church hit a home run; Nolan Gorman added an RBI single for insurance runs during key moments of support for their pitcher.
Marmol summarized: “You have to continue to take those opportunities to score and continue to improve on cashing them in.”
Looking forward, both manager and pitcher emphasized teamwork as essential moving ahead this season: “Everybody’s picking each other up, everybody’s pulling for the next guy,” said May.
