The St. Louis Cardinals are officially the hottest team in baseball. In a thrilling Sunday afternoon showdown at Minute Maid Park, the Redbirds secured a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros in 10 innings, pushing the St. Louis Cardinals win streak to five games. The hero of the day was none other than rookie standout Masyn Winn, whose clutch performance in extra innings capped off a dominant series for the young shortstop.
Masyn Winn Delivers in the Tenth
With the game knotted at 4-4 heading into the 10th inning, the Cardinals found themselves in a familiar position: extra innings. St. Louis has been perfect in free baseball this season, entering the day with a 4-0 record in games decided beyond the ninth. They improved that mark to 5-0 thanks to a massive swing from Masyn Winn.
With the bases loaded and the pressure mounting, Winn lined a sharp double down the third-base line, clearing the bases and giving the Cardinals a 7-4 lead. It was the exclamation point on a stellar series for Winn, who finished the day 3-for-5. Over the course of the three-game set in Houston, Winn tallied a staggering seven RBIs, proving to be the catalyst for the Cardinals' offensive surge.
The Astros attempted a comeback in the bottom of the 10th, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Gordon Graceffo locked down the final out, forcing Christian Walker into a fielder's choice to secure his first save of the season and preserve the win for reliever Riley O’Brien (3-0).
Liberatore Sets the Tone, Astros Rally Late
Before the late-inning fireworks, the game was a pitcher’s duel between Cardinals starter Michael Liberatore and Astros right-hander Mike Burrows. Liberatore was exceptional, navigating through six innings while allowing only one run on three hits. His only mistake came in the third inning when Carlos Correa drove in Taylor Trammell with a sacrifice fly following Trammell’s triple.
On the other side, Burrows was perfect through 4.2 innings, retiring the first 14 Cardinals he faced. However, the wheels came off in the fifth as the next five St. Louis batters reached base, leading to a four-run outburst that chased Burrows from the game.
The Astros, desperate to snap their own skid, showed resilience in the eighth inning. Trailing 4-1 with two outs, Yordan Alvarez ignited the crowd with his league-leading 10th home run of the season. After a Jose Altuve single and a gritty 10-pitch walk by Christian Walker, Isaac Paredes stepped up to deliver a clutch two-run single that tied the game and eventually forced extra innings.
Historical Significance of the Sweep
This victory was more than just another notch in the St. Louis Cardinals win streak; it was a historical milestone for the franchise. This win completed a three-game sweep of the Astros, marking the first time the Cardinals have swept a three-game series in Houston since April 20-22, 2004.
The win also highlighted the contrasting trajectories of these two clubs. While the Cardinals have won five straight, the Astros have now lost four in a row and a staggering 12 of their last 14 games. For St. Louis, individual milestones are also piling up. Outfielder Jordan Walker finished 1-for-4, extending his impressive hitting streak to 14 games.
Key Personnel Stats:
- Masyn Winn: 3-for-5, 3 RBIs, 2B
- Michael Liberatore: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 K
- Yordan Alvarez: 1-for-4, HR (10), 1 RBI
- Riley O’Brien: 1.0 IP, W (3-0)
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals will look to keep the momentum of the St. Louis Cardinals win streak alive as they head to Miami for a three-game series against the Marlins. Right-hander Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.49 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound on Monday against Miami’s Max Meyer.
The Astros, meanwhile, will attempt to find their footing as they travel to Cleveland to face the Guardians. Houston has yet to announce a starter for the series opener, while the Guardians will send Slade Cecconi to the hill in hopes of deepening the Astros' recent slump.
Sources & Original Reporting
