ST. LOUIS -- For a stretch in June, it seemed that earning the nod as the Opening Day starter could represent a high point in an otherwise tumultuous season for Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore.
But the Cardinals were steadfast in their patience with the 26-year-old starter in a manner that has paid dividends in recent weeks.
On Saturday night at Busch Stadium, Liberatore breezed through six scoreless innings in a 4-1 win over the Braves. He scattered one walk and four hits, holding the Braves to just one occasion featuring a runner in scoring position against him.
In a season that was always intended to set the foundation for the future of where St. Louis is heading as an organization, the Cardinals were insistent that they wouldn’t be bogged down in a stretch of undesirable results.
If Liberatore was progressing, even if only in ways that didn’t immediately reveal themselves in the box score, the Cardinals were prepared to see him through turbulent waters in the starting rotation. Over his past three starts, Liberatore has allowed just five runs (four earned) in 16 innings.
Liberatore got the backing he needed to deliver his fifth win of the season on one swing by Lars Nootbaar in the bottom of the first inning. Nootbaar’s loud three-run home run cleared the home bullpen beyond the right-field wall to ensure the Cardinals wouldn’t leave the first inning empty-handed.
The Cardinals tacked on their fourth run in the fourth inning on an RBI single by rookie Blaze Jordan.