ST. LOUIS -- After an epic first impression on Opening Day, JJ Wetherholt outdid himself in the second game of his big league career.
The Cardinals’ top prospect walked off the Rays on Saturday at Busch Stadium after a wild ending to what had been a pitching duel for most of the afternoon. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Wetherholt slashed a two-run single to right field to give St. Louis a 6-5 win and save them from blowing a six-inning hittless outing from Michael McGreevy. He became just the second Cardinals player with a walk-off hit in his first or second MLB game in at least the divisional era (1969), joining Curt Ford (June 22, 1985).
“I was just going up ready to hit, honestly,” Wetherholt said moments after celebrating with his teammates. “I was in the zone, singing my walk-up song, it’s a good spot to be. Just trying to lock in to the situation and do anything it took to help the team win.”
Wetherholt’s bookend singles got the scoring rolling for the Cardinals. The second baseman led off the game with an infield single, swiped second base and scored on an RBI single from Alec Burleson. Burleson used a great jump to swipe second base, as well, allowing Nolan Gorman to put the Cardinals up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
McGreevy was on a roll himself, as the right-hander struck out five and kept the Rays in check until Junior Caminero logged their first hit in the seventh against reliever Riley O'Brien. McGreevy became the first Cardinals starter to throw a no-hit bid of six or more innings in a season debut since Daniel Ponce De Leon in what was his MLB debut on July 23, 2018. He threw seven no-hit innings vs. the Reds.
The Cardinals' offense was able to add two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI double smoked off the bat of Iván Herrera and a sacrifice fly from Burleson. But with a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, things quickly began to unravel for St. Louis.
Matt Svanson followed up his shaky Opening Day performance by allowing three runs for the second straight outing, while Ryne Stanek allowed an RBI single from Nick Fortes to tie things up at four apiece.
Following a 1-2-3 showing in the bottom of the ninth from the Cardinals’ offense, Stanek immediately allowed the automatic runner to score on a Yandy Díaz single to right-center field to give the Rays a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the 10th.
And, like clockwork, the Cardinals punched right back as they did in the opener. Jordan Walker drew a lead-off walk, which Victor Scott II followed by bunting over both Walker and automatic runner Nathan Church. Wetherholt had runners at second and third.
“I’ve seen him do it a thousand times; it’s part of his game,” Wetherholt said of Scott’s crucial sacrifice bunt. “That’s my brother. It’s just so fun to be on the same field as him. It’s a blessing. He does everything well, and just put us in a great spot.”
Wetherholt needed just one pitch to secure the victory, ripping a 97.1 mph single through the infield and securing St. Louis' series victory.
The Cardinals continue to rave about not only the talent their top prospect possesses, but the confidence he carries even as a rookie. Wetherholt knows he’s capable of contributing now, and he clearly didn’t shy away from the moment in just his 10th MLB plate appearance.
“He’s not going to make much of any situation, and I love that about him,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “He doesn’t scare, and his personality really lends itself well to do this for a long time. Some really good at-bats. That situation there, he stays within himself and does exactly what the game is calling for. It was perfect.”
Perfect indeed, and the Cardinals will ride their perfect record into a chance to sweep Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon.