Iván Herrera's 8th-inning homer wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell 5-4 to the Blue Jays on June 10, 2025. See how the late-game drama unfolded in extras.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a rollercoaster of emotions at Busch Stadium on Monday night. For a fleeting, glorious moment, it felt like another signature win for the 2025 Cardinals. Iván Herrera's towering three-run blast in the eighth inning sent the crowd into a frenzy and seemingly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. But baseball is a cruel game, and the high was short-lived, ending in a gut-punch 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Cardinals are now 21-14 against winning teams this season, one of only three NL clubs with a winning record against teams over .500.
The game turned on a dime in the final frames. Trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals' offense roared to life. Willson Contreras started the rally with an RBI single, setting the stage for Iván Herrera. The young catcher crushed a three-run homer, giving St. Louis a stunning 4-3 lead. The stadium was electric, but the joy was temporary. Closer Ryan Helsley couldn't shut the door, surrendering a solo home run to Jonatan Clase in the ninth. In the tenth, reliever Phil Maton (0-2) was charged with the loss after Alejandro Kirk's go-ahead double scored the automatic runner, sealing a tough defeat.
While the final score stings, the continued emergence of Iván Herrera is a major bright spot. His home run wasn't just clutch; it was a continuation of a powerful offensive trend. As he gets more consistent playing time, Herrera is proving he's more than just a backup catcher. He's becoming a legitimate power threat in the middle of the lineup, providing a much-needed jolt and making a strong case for a permanent, significant role on this team.
It's easy to get lost in the frustration of a single blown game, but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. This loss dropped the Cardinals to 36-30, but it was against a quality Blue Jays team. In fact, despite the result, the Cardinals have proven they can hang with anyone. They are now 21-14 against teams with winning records, a mark that only two other National League teams can claim. In what was billed as a developmental year, this team consistently rises to the occasion against baseball's elite.
The beauty of baseball is there's always tomorrow. The Cardinals have a chance to bounce back immediately on Tuesday night as they send veteran Miles Mikolas (4-2, 3.96 ERA) to the mound. He'll face a tough opponent in Blue Jays righty Chris Bassitt (6-3, 3.56 ERA). After a heartbreaking loss, look for the Cardinals to lean on their proven resilience and even the series.
