Cardinals Rookie Pitcher McGreevy Rocked by Padres
Michael McGreevy returned to the mound at Busch Stadium took but did not fare well Sunday, and it couldn’t have come against a more familiar opponent. The rookie right-hander, who grew up just north of San Diego cheering for the Padres, was shelled by his childhood team in a 9–2 Cardinals loss that spoiled a chance to win the four-game set.
McGreevy struggled from the outset. He issued an 0-2 walk to Padres leadoff hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. that foreshadowed a long day. In just 4 2/3 innings, he gave up nine hits and seven earned runs — his shortest and roughest outing since rejoining the rotation last week.
“Baseball is not a nice game,” McGreevy said afterward. “But it’s about keeping my head high at the end of the day. One outing doesn’t define me. I know that I’ve got [the Padres] next week [in San Diego], and it’s going to be better.”
The Cardinals entered Sunday with a chance to pull closer in the Wild Card chase. Instead the Redbirds watched the Padres claw back and salvage a series split. After winning the first two games of the set, St. Louis was outplayed in the final two and now sits behind San Diego in the race for the final postseason spot.
Tense Series with the Padres
Tensions flared throughout the series, with benches clearing twice and six batters being hit. While no ejections were issued, the animosity between the two clubs sets the stage for a potentially fiery rematch when the Cardinals travel to San Diego for a three-game set starting Friday.
“That’s baseball,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “That’s a loaded roster, and I thought we held our own pretty damn good. We played clean baseball the first two games. They outexecuted us over the last two, and you split the series. We’ll see them again shortly.”
McGreevy’s previous outing — a seven-inning gem against Colorado — had helped force the Cardinals’ hand in designating veteran Erick Fedde for assignment. Thus making room for himself in the rotation. But his latest showing underscores the risk of leaning heavily on untested arms during a playoff push.
With the trade deadline looming Thursday, the team’s recent inconsistencies — and Sunday’s unraveling — may push St. Louis closer toward seller territory.
