The Cardinals dropped their fifth straight in a 6-2 loss to the Brewers on June 12. Despite Nolan Arenado's efforts, Sonny Gray couldn't stop Christian Yelich.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another frustrating result. The St. Louis Cardinals extended their season-high losing streak to five games on Thursday, falling 6-2 to the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers in a game that felt all too familiar. In a stretch where the bats have gone cold and the pitching has bent, this series opener felt like a microcosm of the team's recent struggles, leaving fans wondering where the spark will come from.
In a stunning performance for Double-A Springfield, left-hander Brycen Mautz threw a complete-game no-hitter with 9 strikeouts and just two walks.
Ace Sonny Gray took the mound, but even he couldn't stop the bleeding. A two-run homer by Christian Yelich in the third inning set the tone, and a three-run rally by the Brewers in the sixth ultimately chased Gray from the game. His final line of 5.1 innings pitched with five earned runs wasn't what the Cardinals needed to snap their skid. The offense was once again listless, managing just a handful of hits. Nolan Arenado provided the lone bright spot at the plate, going 2-for-4 and driving in both Cardinal runs with an eighth-inning double, but it was too little, too late. The loss drops the team to 36-33, slipping further behind in the division race.
The front office clearly sees the need for a jolt. Before the game, the Cardinals announced a series of roster moves aimed at injecting new energy into the squad. Right-handed reliever Andre Granillo, 25, got the call from Triple-A Memphis after posting a dominant 1.82 ERA with 46 strikeouts in just under 30 innings. He's poised to make his MLB debut. Joining him is outfielder Michael Siani, recalled to provide a defensive upgrade and speed on the bases. To make room, Ryan Vilade was designated for assignment and Chris Roycroft was optioned.
While the mood was somber in St. Louis, it was electric in Springfield. In the biggest news from the farm system, left-handed pitching prospect Brycen Mautz etched his name into the history books by throwing a complete-game no-hitter for the Double-A Cardinals on Wednesday night. Mautz was masterful, striking out nine and walking only two in the 3-0 victory. It's a monumental achievement that serves as a powerful reminder of the high-end talent developing in the organization's pipeline, a welcome dose of good news amidst the big-league struggles.
More help could be on the horizon for the scuffling offense. Outfielder Jordan Walker officially began his minor league rehab assignment on Thursday. While he'll likely need a few more games to get his timing back after being sidelined, his eventual return to the lineup will be a massive boost. Walker's power potential is exactly what this team needs to break out of its offensive funk and start putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard again.
Five straight losses hurt, especially against a division rival. The Cardinals are in a deep rut, and the pressure is mounting to turn things around before this skid defines their season. With new arms in the bullpen, a potential offensive catalyst in Jordan Walker nearing his return, and the inspiration of Mautz's historic night, the pieces for a comeback are there. Now, it's a matter of execution. The Redbirds will look to salvage the series against the Brewers tomorrow, desperately needing a win to stop the bleeding and change the narrative.
