DENVER -- In a classic Coors Field twist, the Cardinals battled back after blowing a three-run lead in the sixth and stole a victory from the Rockies with a three-run homer from Iván Herrera in the top of the ninth, earning a 7-6 win in the opener of the three-game set.
Starter Andre Pallante matched his season high for walks with four in the first three innings alone, beginning with a leadoff walk to Jake McCarthy, who stole second, advanced to third on a grounder to first and scored on a Hunter Goodman sac fly to left.
The Cardinals came back with a big second inning. Jordan Walker led off with a single up the middle and stole second. Leo Bernal earned a free pass to first, and Joshua Báez grounded into a forceout at third base. Nolan Gorman tied the game with a single to right, and Thomas Saggese doubled a ball off starter Ryan Feltner’s foot into center to plate Báez and take a one-run lead.
The Cards added on in the fifth, opening the frame with a single, a walk, two infield singles and a sac fly from Walker for his 100th RBI of the season. Herrera was thrown out trying to advance to third on the sac fly, costing the Cards a run when Bernal doubled to center.
Pallante last pitched on Aug. 17 before landing on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Hancel Rincon came in to make his Major League debut in relief of Pallante, and after Goodman lined to second for Rincon’s first out, the rookie struggled, allowing a triple to right field off the bat of Rockies rookie TJ Rumfield, a Statcast-projected 428-foot inside-the-park home run from Cole Carrigg and a single to Connor Norby.