TORONTO — In a pivotal moment, José Fermin delivered a go-ahead single during the ninth inning, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, thus preventing a three-game sweep.
Event Context
Matthew Liberatore delivered an impressive performance, pitching six scoreless innings, while George Soriano secured the victory with one inning of work, as the Cardinals ended their eight-game losing streak against the Blue Jays with a four-run rally in the ninth inning.
St. Louis managed their fifth win in 17 games since the All-Star break, marking their first time scoring more than three runs in a game since a dominant 7-0 victory over Cincinnati on July 25.
In the ninth, Blue Jays closer Louis Varland began with a walk to Masyn Winn, who then advanced to third on a hit by Bryan Torres. Fermin drove in the opening run with a single to center.
Prior to this, Varland had not allowed a run since July 10 against San Diego.
After two outs, Torres scored due to a throwing error by second baseman Luis Urias, followed by a two-run single from Jordan Walker, which ultimately led to Varland exiting the game.
The four runs given up by Varland matched the number of runs he allowed in 13 prior appearances in June.
The scoring began for St. Louis in the third inning, when Nathan Church crossed the plate after a two-out double by Lars Nootbar.
Liberatore showcased dominance, allowing only one hit—a second-inning infield single by Alejandro Kirk—while walking one and striking out seven.
The Blue Jays managed to tie the game in the eighth when Andrés Giménez hit a two-out single, stole second, and later scored on a double from Urías.
Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer pitched six innings, giving up one run and four hits, along with one walk and five strikeouts, bringing his career strikeout total to 3,512.
Match Outlook
On Monday, Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy is set to take the mound in New York, facing Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. Additionally, Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber will be starting at Houston against Astros right-hander Cristian Javier.
