Sonny Gray's dominant start and a Nolan Arenado homer led the Cardinals to a 3-2 win over the Brewers on June 12, snapping a 4-game skid. Recap the ace's gem.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Exhale, Cardinals fans. The bleeding has stopped. After a frustrating four-game slide, the St. Louis Cardinals finally found their way back into the win column, securing a tense 3-2 victory over the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. It was a classic baseball script: the team's ace, Sonny Gray, put the squad on his back with a masterful performance, and the offense did just enough to bring it home.
Sonny Gray was simply untouchable: 7 innings pitched, 1 run allowed, 8 strikeouts.
When you need a losing streak snapped, you hand the ball to your ace. Sonny Gray delivered in every sense of the word on Thursday night. He carved through the Brewers' lineup with precision and power, commanding the zone and keeping hitters off balance for seven brilliant innings. Allowing just a single run while striking out eight, Gray gave the bullpen and the offense the perfect platform for a win. The Cardinals' social media was buzzing, and for good reason—this is the kind of shutdown performance that can change the entire mood of a clubhouse.
While Gray was dealing, the offense provided the timely thunder. The biggest blow came in the 6th inning off the bat of Nolan Arenado, who launched a two-run homer that proved to be the difference-maker. It was a signature Arenado moment, providing power when it was needed most. Lars Nootbaar also chipped in with a clutch RBI single, manufacturing a crucial run. It wasn't an offensive explosion, but it was efficient and effective—exactly what was required to support Gray's gem.
The win was tempered slightly by the continued absence of Brendan Donovan, who remains day-to-day with a sore left big toe. The team is still awaiting MRI results, leaving his status in limbo. Missing the team's leading hitter, who boasts a .310 average and 77 hits, is a significant blow. His grit and on-base skills at the top of the order were noticeably absent, and the Cardinals are hoping for a swift return to keep the offensive momentum going.
While the big-league club fights for every win, the future continues to look bright down on the farm. There were no major transactions today, but the buzz around the farm system is palpable. 2024 first-round pick JJ Wetherholt is turning heads with his advanced approach at the plate, while pitchers Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence are looking like legitimate options for a late-season call-up. Add in the excitement for Yairo Padilla's future stateside debut, and it's clear the next wave of Cardinals talent is on its way.
Tonight's win was a massive sigh of relief, but one game doesn't make a season. The Cardinals need to build on this momentum against a tough Brewers team. With Donovan's status uncertain, the pressure remains on the rest of the lineup to support the starting pitching. The next few games will show if this was a turning point or just a temporary reprieve.
