Cardinals outlast Padres 9-7 on July 25, 2025, in a slugfest. A six-run inning led by Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado secured a wild win for Sonny Gray.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
If you like pitching duels, Friday night at Busch Stadium was not for you. But if you love explosive offense and nail-biting finishes, the Cardinals delivered in a big way, outslugging the San Diego Padres 9-7. It was a chaotic, thrilling series opener where the Birds on the Bat proved their bats were mightier, thanks to a second-inning offensive eruption that shook the stadium.
Sonny Gray earned his 10th win despite a line you have to see to believe: 5 innings, 13 hits, and 7 earned runs. A win is a win.
The game was won in the second inning. Down early, the Cardinals responded with a six-run explosion that defined the night. The party started with a bases-clearing double from Nolan Arenado, but the real fireworks came from Willson Contreras. Willy crushed a three-run, 400-foot homer—his 14th of the year—to tie for the team lead and bring his RBI total to a team-best 61. The dugout was electric, and the momentum was firmly in St. Louis's corner. Masyn Winn chipped in too, extending his hitting streak with a key RBI double in the frame. It was the kind of inning that can change the trajectory of a homestand.
Let's be honest: Sonny Gray did not have his best stuff. The Cardinals' ace battled through five tough innings, surrendering a whopping 13 hits and 7 earned runs, including a homer to Fernando Tatis Jr. On most nights, that's a recipe for a loss. But on this night, the offense had his back in a massive way. Gray managed to limit the damage just enough to qualify for the win, improving his record to 10-4. It was a classic 'bend but don't break' performance, and a testament to the team's ability to pick each other up. Ryan Helsley was his usual dominant self, shutting the door in the ninth for his 20th save of the season.
With the victory, the Cardinals climb to 53-51 on the season. While they remain in fourth place in the NL Central, they're still within striking distance, sitting 9 games behind the Brewers. Every win counts, especially these gritty ones. Brendan Donovan continues to be a consistent force at the plate, leading the team with a .296 batting average, while Contreras is the undisputed run-producing engine. The front office stood pat today, with no roster moves announced, signaling confidence in the current group to keep chipping away in the standings.
While the big league club was lighting up the scoreboard, the future of the organization continues to develop. The latest MLB Pipeline prospect rankings highlight first-round pick JJ Wetherholt's strong debut season. Interestingly, the report also points out the Cardinals' unusual depth at catcher, with three backstops ranked in the system's top five prospects. However, there are concerns on the mound, as injuries to key arms like Quinn Mathews, Tekoah Roby, and Tink Hence are testing the organization's pitching depth. Keep an eye on risers like Ixan Henderson and Brycen Mautz to see who steps up.
This was the kind of chaotic, character-building win that can galvanize a team. The offense showed its incredible potential, and the bullpen held firm when it mattered most. Now, the Cardinals have a chance to build on this momentum and win a crucial series against a tough Padres team. With the bats this hot, they have to feel good about their chances heading into the weekend as they continue their push in the National League.
