Behind Dustin May’s solid start, Cardinals defeat Guardians 5-3

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - APRIL 15: Dustin May #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning while wearing the #42 to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day at Busch Stadium on April 15, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game Summary

An early run by the Guardians was matched by the Cardinals. Then a pitcher’s duel broke out. Dustin May threw six strong, 1-run innings, but left with a no decision. The Cardinals broke loose for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, with an Alec Burleson 2 out, 2 RBI single being the key hit. Justin Bruihl gave two runs back in the seventh, but Jojo Romero closed the door with 1.1 exceptionally sharp innings. A Nathan Church double added a key insurance run. O’Brien closes out the ninth to take both the game and series.

Nathan Church keyed the offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI. Pages with a interesting mix of contributions. Threw out a runner stealing. Stole third. Key SacBunt. Cardinals now 10-8 on the season.

Line-up (and roster) machinations

• The normal R-L-R line-up with Church in LF today.
• May takes the mound for the Cardinals. Cecconi for Cleveland.

The Game Details

T1 – Kwan doubles to lead off. DeLauter advances him to third with a 4-3 groundout. Winn cuts the lead runner down on grounder hit to short. Ramirez ended up at second during the rundown. Manzardo with the 2-out RBI single. Valera with a backwards K. Guardians up 1-0.

B1 – Wetherholt 3u. Herrera walks. Burleson advances him to third. Walker flies out to right, but too shallow to score JJW. Gorman flies out.

T2 – Brito P2. Schneemann singles (man, he can be annoying). Naylor K. Schneeman caught stealing.

B2 – Winn K. Church with a bunt single and promptly steals second. Pages with an RBI single, taking second on the throw home. Scott II K’s. Pages steals third!! Wetherholt walks. Herrera walks to load the bases. Burleson K’s the end the threat. Cecconi at 49 pitches. Game now tied, 1-1.

T3 – Rocchio with a little nubber that hits 3b. Kwan lines out L3, DP. DeLauter P6. I don’t know if I like that…he is on my Fantasy team.

B3 – Walker K. Gorman P3. Winn P6 on a nice play.

T4 – Ramirz F7. Manzardo singles. Valera doubles on a misread by Church. Church and Winn combine to catch the runner at the plate. Brito K after two challenges went against him. Still tied 1-1. May at 58 pitches.

B4 – A light rain has started. Church out 1-3. Page P6. Scott walks and promptly steals second. Wetherholt walks on a great AB. Will add more at the end. Herrera F9. 7 left on so far. RISP continues to befuddle.

T5 – Backwards K. F8. 6-3 makes a quick inning.

B5 – Brogden replaces Cecconi. Burly ground out. Walker and Gorman fly out. Pitchers rule today. Still 1-1.

T6 – L9. Walk. 4-6-4 GIDP makes another quick inning.

B6 – Herrin in for Brogden. Winn singles. Church singles. Pages SacBunt. Scott II walks. Wetherholt SacFly. Herrera walks. Burly bounds a 2 RBI single to extend the lead. Festa replaces Herrin. Walker K ends the inning. Cards now up 4-1.

T7 – Bruihl in for May. 3-1. Walk. K. Single. Double drives in two to tighten the game. Romero in for Bruihl. 6-3 preserved the lead. Cards up 4-3.

B7 – Gorman single. A Winn ground out advances Gorman. Church doubles in an insurance run. Pages lines out. Scott II K. Cards now up 5-3.

T8 – 6-3. F9. 6-3. Romero very sharp.

B8 – Wetherholt HBP. Herrera P6. Burly K. Walker doubled. Urias F

T9 – O’Brien in for Romero. K. K. 4-3. Clean. Cards win 5-3.

Post-Game Notes

• Wetherholt’s AB in the 4th was really nice. Cecconi was high in pitch count … close to 80 and focused more on the wet ball than the batter. JJ took 3 straight ball and then chose to take 2 pitches in the zone, ultimately walking while running the pitch count to 85 in the fourth. Very patient. Well played.