Cardinals blank Guardians 7-0 on June 29 to complete the sweep. Matthew Liberatore's shutout innings & Nolan Gorman's 3-run HR led the charge. Recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Talk about a perfect Sunday. The St. Louis Cardinals capped off a dominant weekend in Cleveland with a resounding 7-0 victory over the Guardians, securing a three-game series sweep. Behind a masterful performance from pitcher Matthew Liberatore and a powerful blast from his childhood friend Nolan Gorman, the Cardinals showcased the kind of complete baseball that has them looking like a serious contender. It was a statement win that pushed their record to a season-best 46-38.
Nolan Gorman was a one-man wrecking crew today, going 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, a walk, and his first stolen base of the season.
The story of the day was the powerful connection between two childhood friends. Matthew Liberatore was simply untouchable on the mound, carving up the Guardians lineup for six scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits and struck out five, cruising to his sixth win of the season and a career-high third straight victory. Providing the fireworks was his buddy Nolan Gorman, who broke the game open in the fifth inning with a towering three-run homer, his seventh of the year. Not content with just the long ball, Gorman also swiped his first base of 2025. For good measure, Victor Scott II chipped in with a two-run shot of his own, as the Cards pounded out 11 hits and played flawless defense.
There was a moment of concern for Cardinals fans when Nolan Arenado was removed from the game in the eighth inning. The move was strictly precautionary, as the 34-year-old third baseman had taken an awkward step on a single in the first inning and was later seen doubled over after reaching third. With a comfortable 5-0 lead on a hot day, manager Oli Marmol made the smart call to give his veteran star some rest. No specific injury was announced, suggesting the team is simply managing his workload carefully.
While the big-league club is rolling, the future continues to brew in the minor leagues. The organization's top prospects are making waves, with 2024 first-round pick JJ Wetherholt settling in at Double-A Springfield and lefty Quinn Mathews becoming a fixture in the Triple-A Memphis rotation. Catcher Leonardo Bernal is another name to watch as he develops. Perhaps most encouraging is the news that top pitching prospect Tink Hence is progressing well in his return from injury. This focus on developing homegrown talent, especially on the pitching side, provides a safety net and a pipeline for sustained success.
The Cardinals head home from Cleveland with a sweep in their back pocket and a ton of momentum. At 46-38, they are firing on all cylinders, with pitching, power, and defense all clicking. The precautionary rest for Arenado seems wise, and with the farm system churning out talent, the future looks as bright as the present. Fans have every reason to be excited as the team continues its summer surge.
