Cardinals Outslug Padres 9-7: St. Louis’ Sixth-Inning Surge Makes the Difference

By Oliver Wiener July 28, 2025 12:03

The St. Louis Cardinals edged out the San Diego Padres in a thrilling 9-7 victory on July 24, 2025, at Busch Stadium, with a pivotal six-run surge in the second inning that ultimately made the difference in this high-scoring contest. The Cardinals showcased their offensive power and resilience, overcoming early deficits and withstanding late-game pressure from the Padres in a clash that featured home-run fireworks, clutch hitting, and key bullpen performances.

The game started with the Padres grabbing an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, as Luis Arraez doubled and Fernando Tatis Jr. scored, followed by an RBI single from Jackson Merrill. The Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom of the first with a run off a Willson Contreras double that brought Brendan Donovan home, signaling the offensive battle ahead.

However, the defining moment came in the second inning when the Cardinals exploded for six runs. Brendan Donovan blasted a three-run homer to right field, his power stroke instantly shifting the momentum. Shortly after, Contreras joined the homestand display with a three-run homer of his own to left center, driving in Willson Contreras and Alec Burleson. This flurry of runs gave the Cardinals a commanding 7-2 lead and energized the home crowd of 30,601 fans.

Padres stars contributed to an offensively charged game. Tatis Jr. launched a solo home run in the third inning, followed by Manny Machado's two-run homer, narrowing the Cardinals’ lead. The Padres kept chipping away in the late innings, scoring two runs in both the third and fifth innings, including a run-scoring double from Machado and RBIs from Luis Arraez and Alec Burleson. Despite the offensive outburst, they couldn't fully close the gap against the Cardinals' timely hitting.

Key offensive contributors for St. Louis included Brendan Donovan, who went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run, and Willson Contreras, who also drove in four runs, going 2-for-3 with his own homer. Alec Burleson provided crucial support by scoring runs and driving in teammates, while Juan Yepez and Juan Herrera helped sustain rallies with consistent base hits. Herrera’s late solo home run in the sixth padded the Cardinals’ lead further, underscoring their ability to extend advantages in pressure moments.

On the mound, the Cardinals' bullpen was critical in closing out the game. Starter Yu Darvish struggled early, allowing eight runs over 3.1 innings, but relievers Sonny Gray and Ryan Helsley stabilized the game. Gray picked up the win, his 10th of the season, delivering key innings that stemmed Padre rallies, while Helsley notched his 20th save with a scoreless ninth, striking out two batters including José Altuve in a high-leverage situation. Manager Oliver Marmol praised his bullpen, stating, "Our relievers stepped up exactly when we needed them. Helsley closed it out with the kind of poise and skill that defines a championship bullpen."

The win improved the Cardinals’ record to 53-51, while the Padres fell to 55-48. The victory was particularly meaningful as the Cardinals solidified their position in a competitive National League Central division race, demonstrating a potent combination of power hitting and late-inning pitching.

Reflecting on the game, Brendan Donovan acknowledged the team’s perseverance: “We knew we had to fight for every run tonight. The second inning was huge, and that gave us the confidence to keep pushing. Everyone contributed, and that’s what it takes to win in tight games.”

In sum, the Cardinals' six-run second inning surge set the tone in an otherwise back-and-forth contest. Their ability to capitalize on home runs and maintain pitching control in the later frames exemplified why St. Louis remains a dangerous contender. This thrilling 9-7 slugfest against the Padres was a testament to the competitive spirit and offensive firepower both teams bring to the field, providing fans a memorable night of baseball at Busch Stadium.