Cardinals beat Reds 6-1 on June 21, 2025, as Andre Pallante's 6 shutout innings and a 5-run 8th inning rally sealed the decisive road victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like a classic pitcher's duel, the St. Louis Cardinals flipped the script with a massive five-run eighth inning, storming past the Cincinnati Reds for a decisive 6-1 victory. While the late-game heroics sealed the deal, it was Andre Pallante's absolute masterpiece on the mound that put the Cardinals in a position to win, silencing the Reds' bats for six dominant innings.
Six shutout innings, two hits, one walk, and ten groundouts. Andre Pallante was simply untouchable.
Andre Pallante was the star of the night, period. Improving his record to 5-3, the right-hander was in complete control from the first pitch. He carved through the Cincinnati lineup for six shutout frames, allowing just two hits and a single walk while striking out four. What was most impressive? The ten groundouts he induced, a testament to his ability to keep the ball down and let his defense work. It was the kind of efficient, dominant start that managers dream of and the perfect anchor for the team on a night they needed it.
For seven innings, this was a tense, low-scoring affair. Then came the top of the eighth. The Cardinals' offense, which had been quiet, suddenly came alive. The floodgates opened with a series of clutch at-bats, highlighted by key singles from Masyn Winn and Lars Nootbaar that broke the game open. The rally was a full team effort, showing the kind of contagious hitting that can turn a season around. It was a statement inning that reminded everyone just how quickly this lineup can strike.
The win came with a backdrop of roster changes. Catcher Iván Herrera was unfortunately placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, a tough blow for the backstop. But in the Cardinals' 'next man up' tradition, the move prompted the call-up of infielder Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis. Saggese wasted no time making an impact, contributing an infield single during the eighth-inning rally. The team also gave Nolan Arenado a much-needed day off after he played both ends of Thursday's doubleheader, ensuring the veteran third baseman stays fresh for the long haul.
Saggese's immediate contribution is a perfect snapshot of the Cardinals' bigger picture: the youth movement is in full swing. He's just one of several exciting prospects expected to carve out major league roles in the near future. Keep an eye on names like JJ Wetherholt, Jimmy Crooks, and pitcher Tekoah Roby, who has shown tremendous improvement this season. The future is bright in St. Louis, and we're seeing glimpses of it right now.
This was more than just one win; it was a showcase of the Cardinals' resilience and depth. With Pallante dealing and the offense showing it can explode at any moment, the team looks to carry this momentum through the rest of the series against the Reds. As young players continue to step up and veterans get their rest, the Cardinals are building a formula for sustained success. The next few games will be crucial to see if this spark can ignite a mid-season fire.
