Nolan Arenado drove in four runs, Miles Mikolas pitched six solid innings on two days’ rest and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Miami 6-4 on Monday, extending the Marlins’ skid to four games.
Mikolas (6-5) allowed three runs and seven hits. He pitched three perfect innings Friday night against Washington in a game that was stopped by rain.
«No, it wasn’t different,» Mikolas said. «I was ready. I liked my rhythm. I thought my stuff was working out well. There are some pitches I wish I had back. The offense really came through today and that was great.»
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Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals follows up with an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Monday, July 17, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Manager Oliver Marmol brushed aside any qualms about starting Mikolas.
«He convinced us,» Mármol said. «He really wanted it. He was very impressive. He felt really good. He was pretty adamant about taking the ball today. He gave us a really solid start.»
Dylan Carlson drove in the other two runs and scored three for the Cardinals, who have won six of eight but remain last in the NL Central, tied with Pittsburgh.
«It felt great to contribute and help the team win,» Carlson said. «It was a good win.»
CARDENALS EXECUTIVE JOHN MOZELIAK SAYS TRADE IS WATCHING AS TRADE DEADLINE NEARS
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Monday, July 17, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Before the game, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said a trade was coming in St. Louis, suggesting the team could trade veterans for prospects before the Aug. 1 deadline.
Pinch hitter Nolan Gorman doubled with two outs in the sixth off reliever Dylan Floro (3-5). Carlson broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI single and Arenado followed with a two-run double. Arenado is hitting .340 (17-for-50) with 14 RBIs in his last 14 games.
«I’m just trying to slow down the game,» Arenado said. «I haven’t been that good with guys in scoring position. It feels good to come out today and drive in some runs. I’ve been better lately. Guys have been getting on base and it’s been great.»
Jordan Hicks allowed three hits in the ninth but escaped for his eighth save, aided by a double play. He grounded out Jesús Sánchez with two runners on to finish it off.
RANGERS OVERCOME THE LIGHTNINGS AS JOSH SMITH SCORES THE WINNING RUN ON A WILD PITCH
Bryan De La Cruz of the Miami Marlins is tagged out by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to end the top of the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 17, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Veteran reliever Ryan Tepera allowed a run in the seventh in his first appearance for St. Louis. He was pulled out with the bases loaded and two outs to Giovanny Gallegos, who grounded out Bryan De La Cruz. Gallegos stayed and pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
«I wanted to put the ball in play there,» De La Cruz said through a translator. «My goal was where there was no defense. Things happen. You have to keep going. It was a good shot. We started on the wrong foot in the second half, but more chances are coming.»
Sánchez homered in the sixth off Mikolas to make it 3-3. De La Cruz homered in the first for the Marlins.
Arenado had an RBI single in the third and a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Miami’s Luis Arraez went 1 for 5 with an RBI single in the fifth and his major league-leading batting average fell to .378.
PIRATES’ TOP PROSPECTS QUINN PRIESTER AND ENDY RODRIGUEZ, BOTH MLB DEBUTERS IN LOSS TO GUARDIANS
St. Louis Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt (46) and Dylan Carlson (3) celebrate after scoring on Nolan Arenado’s two-run double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Monday, July 17. of 2023 in Saint Louis. . (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
«It’s four games after the break,» Miami coach Skip Schumaker said. «We have 60-something games left. We’re not done yet. There’s still a lot of work to do. We’ve got a few things to clean up and we’ll be fine.»
LIST MOVEMENTS
The Cardinals signed Tepera, 35, an 11-year veteran who entered with a 19-20 record and a 3.59 ERA in 371 games. He was released by the Los Angeles Angels in May and by Texas on Friday. St. Louis designated LHP Genesis Cabrera for assignment.
COACHES ROOM
Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera (right shoulder impingement) may activate as early as Tuesday.
Cardinals: OF Tyler O’Neill (lower back strain) could activate Tuesday. … RHP Adam Wainwright (right shoulder rash) and RHP Ryan Helsley (forearm strain) were scheduled to throw from a mound Tuesday.
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Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Monday, July 17, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Cardinals LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-7, 3.23 ERA), who left his last start on July 7 with a hamstring strain in the fifth inning, is scheduled to start Tuesday. The Marlins had not announced a starter.