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Church led off the eighth inning with a double off of Jack Sinclair then came around to score on a ground ball off the bat of Ivan Herrera. That would be his only hit in three at-bats on the night and was the Cardinals’ only extra-base hit in the ballgame. For the season, the 26-year-old outfielder is slashing .252/.298/.373 with 10 homers, 50 RBI and 10 swipes in 444 plate appearances.

Church had an RBI single in the third inning and then hit a crucial three-run home run off Angel Chivilli in the eighth inning that gave the Cardinals a two-run lead they would not relinquish. Church now has nine home runs and 35 RBI this season to go along with a .232/.280/.366 slash line.

Church did his damage as part of a seven-run seventh inning, with his 392-foot (97.5-mph EV) two-run shot off of Tyler Kinley pulling the Cardinals even at five runs apiece. That would be his only hit on the night, but it played a critical role in the comeback victory. For the season, the 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .254/.295/.410 with seven homers, 25 RBI and five stolen bases.

Church’s first game back from the injured list after missing a little over two weeks was a good one. The 25-year-old hasn’t set the world on fire in his first season as a (mostly) full-time player, but there have been enough good moments for a 260/.294/.407 slash in 2026. He should be in center more often than not with Victor Scott II no longer on the roster, so those looking for a spark in NL-only leagues can keep Church on the radar.

Church missed a little over two weeks with his left shoulder strain. He’s up and will take over as the starter in center, with Victor Scott II heading to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Church on the active roster.

Church had started 27 consecutive games in the outfield prior to missing Thursday’s contest with the injury. The Cardinals called up 28-year-old INF/OF Bryan Torres as a corresponding move.

Church has homered three times in the last two games, and this one gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning. He’s slugging .515 on the season, and appears to be earning regular playing time in the St. Louis outfield. It might even be time to move him up a spot or two in the order.

Church not only hit the ball over the fence twice, but he robbed Mitch Garver of his own as well. The 25-year-old has homered four times on the season, and more than held his own as a regular to open the season. His roster spot seemed to be in jeopardy with Lars Nootbaar not far from a return, but it’s hard to imagine this version gets sent down.

Church’s homer off Chris Paddack was his second of the year. He’s batting .231/.281/.365, and he doesn’t project to get a whole lot better than that. The Cardinals are treating him as their best option in left field against right-handers, but they still might send down Thomas Saggese and give Bryan Torres or Cesar Prieto a look there before Lars Nootbaar returns.

The rookie now has his first steal of the season to go along with six RBI and seven runs scored. He’s slashing just .205/.238/.308 on the season, so he doesn’t belong on fantasy radars yet, but he showed good batting averages and speed in the minors so perhaps he works his way into the discussion.

The 25-year-old outfielder plated Jordan Walker with an RBI single to cap a three-run uprising off of Jose Quintana in the second inning. That would be the extent of their offense in the ballgame and proved to be just enough to secure the victory. Church has struggled in his limited action with the Cardinals this season, slashing .184/.268/.265 with one homer, eight RBI and one stolen base in 58 plate appearances.