Matthew Liberatore pitches 6 shutout innings to help Cardinals top Phillies 7-0

The St. Louis Cardinals dominated the Philadelphia Phillies with a 7-0 victory on Sunday, thanks to a stellar performance by pitcher Matthew Liberatore. Liberatore pitched six shutout innings, allowing only three hits while striking out seven batters. This win marked the Cardinals’ second shutout of the season.

Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker provided the offensive firepower for the Cardinals, with Contreras hitting his first home run of the season off Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler in the fourth inning. Walker added to the lead with a home run in the seventh inning, putting St. Louis ahead 7-0.

The Cardinals’ offense continued to produce in the sixth inning, with Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Nolan Gorman each hitting doubles to extend the lead to 4-0. Despite a strong performance by Wheeler, who allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings, the Phillies were unable to mount a comeback.

Philadelphia had a chance to score in the second inning with runners on second and third base, but Liberatore managed to escape the jam with a strikeout and a groundout.

This victory was significant for the Cardinals, as it marked their first series win against the Phillies since 2017. The team had struggled in previous matchups, going 0-9-3 in their last 12 series against Philadelphia.

Looking ahead, the Phillies will face the San Francisco Giants at home, with Taijuan Walker set to start on the mound. The Cardinals will host the Houston Astros, with Sonny Gray taking the mound in the opening game of a three-game series.

Overall, the Cardinals’ dominant performance against the Phillies showcased their strength on both the pitching and hitting fronts, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.

For more MLB news and updates, visit AP MLB.