Jordan Walker does it all as Cardinals stun Athletics with late comeback

The biggest development in Walker’s 2026 breakout season is that it is no longer just about raw power. The former first-round pick has always had elite tools, but this season he is putting everything together at once. Walker is producing at the plate, making winning plays defensively, and delivering in high-leverage moments that directly change outcomes for St. Louis.

Thursday was the perfect example. Walker crushed a solo homer in the sixth inning to help keep the Cardinals within striking distance. Earlier in the game, he casually tracked down what looked like a guaranteed home run off the bat of Tyler Soderstrom, reaching over the wall in right field to steal extra bases and save runs.

Then came the ninth inning. After JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch and Herrera tied the game with a clutch single, Walker jumped on the first pitch he saw and ripped a double into right field to score the go-ahead run. Just like that, the Cardinals had stolen a game they seemed certain to lose.

Those are the kinds of moments that change how players are viewed across the league.

Cardinals refuse to quit during wild ninth inning

What made the comeback even more impressive was how quickly everything flipped. The Cardinals entered the ninth trailing 4-3 after the Athletics pushed three runs across during a disastrous seventh inning for the St. Louis bullpen. The game had all the signs of a frustrating missed opportunity after a strong outing from starter Michael McGreevy.

Instead, the Cardinals responded with some of their best at-bats of the night against Athletics closer Jack Perkins. Yohel Pozo reached base to start the rally before Wetherholt was hit by a pitch with two outs to keep the inning alive. Herrera followed with a line-drive single to left field to score the tying run before Walker immediately delivered the knockout blow.

Riley O’Brien then finished the job with a scoreless ninth inning to secure another comeback victory for St. Louis.

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The Cardinals are becoming one of baseball’s toughest teams to finish off

Thursday marked the Cardinals’ third win this season when trailing after eight innings, one of the best totals in Major League Baseball. That resilience is becoming a defining characteristic for this group.

Victor Scott II also homered in the win while McGreevy delivered six innings of one-run baseball to continue his strong stretch in the rotation. Even after the bullpen briefly lost control of the game, the Cardinals never completely unraveled.

That ability to keep pressure on opponents late is becoming a real strength. And on a day where the Cardinals desperately needed someone to step up, Jordan Walker delivered both the biggest hit and arguably the best defensive play of the game.

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