NO FLY ZONE: Pereira, Cardinals Bullpen Shut Down Phillies in 2-0 Thriller

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals just pulled off a statement win, and it wasn't just because they beat the Phillies 2-0. It was how they did it.

Andre Pallante was dealing, scattering four hits over six shutout innings. He walked three and struck out two, but whenever the Phillies threatened, he slammed the door.

Then came Everson Pereira, the new guy who's already making noise. His solo blast in the eighth inning -- his fifth homer of the season and first since the Cardinals claimed him off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday -- gave St. Louis a 2-0 cushion. And if that wasn't enough, he robbed Alec Bohm with a leaping catch at the center field wall in the fifth inning.

The bullpen did the rest. George Soriano (6-3) tossed a scoreless inning, and Riley O'Brien locked down the ninth for his 30th save.

But it was Ryne Stanek who pulled off the escape act of the night. With the bases loaded and no one out in the eighth, he got Luis Arraez to ground into a 3-2-3 double play, then retired J.T. Realmuto on a deep fly to center. Game over.

Meanwhile, Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez was brilliant too -- four hits, seven strikeouts in six scoreless innings -- but walked away with a no-decision, snapping his personal five-game win streak.

The Cardinals broke through in the seventh. Jordan Walker walked and later scored on a two-out single to right by Winn off Alex McFarlane (0-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the game. Walker went 0-for-2, snapping his 10-game hitting streak -- his fourth of at least 10 games this season, the most in the majors.

Up Next

These two square off again Wednesday in the series finale. Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (10-3, 2.69 ERA) takes the hill against Cardinals righty Kyle Leahy (8-4, 3.45). Get your popcorn ready.