Cardinals Lose Fifth Straight on Most Cruel Ending
The St. Louis Cardinals’ losing streak continued versus the Atlanta Braves on Monday in a way you do not see often.
Down to the last out, in a one-run game, with a runner on first, Nolan Arenado did a check swing on a Raisel Iglesias pitch, spinning the ball inches in front of home plate.
Catcher Sean Murphy grabbed the fair ball and quickly tagged Arenado out, ending a hard-fought game in heartbreaking fashion for the Cardinals.
After giving up a 3-2 lead by surrendering a 5-run eighth inning to the Braves, the Cardinals rallied back for three runs in the ninth, prior to the mishap.
“A perfect synopsis for the 2025 season,” A user on 'X' (formerly Twitter) posted.
"This whole season is a check swing… just a lack of overall commitment to the swing and to winning…," another person said.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) grounds out softly to Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12)
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
One user questioned the ruling of the play being a fair ball, as the ball had hit the plate. Unlucky for them, home plate is in fair territory.
Since starting the season 3-0, the Cardinals have gone 6-14 (1-10 on the road).
The four losses before Monday night's defeat came in a four-game sweep by the New York Mets at Citi Field. A series that included runs scoring in the Cardinals half of the ninth twice.They have two games remaining on this treacherous road trip, before heading home on Friday to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cardinals currently sit in fourth place in the NL Central, two games behind Cincinnati, and just one game ahead of Pittsburgh.
