Keyes completes comeback for Cardinals
It was a beautiful day for baseball in the hammer with clear skies and a ceremony for legendary Dean Dicenzo's number 13.
The defending champions the London Majors got off to a slow start, failing to score in the first three innings. However, in the top of the fourth inning, they finally broke the deadlock as they pushed across a run to take the lead. The Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a run of their own to tie the game at 1-1.
The fifth inning proved to be pivotal for the Majors as they capitalized on their scoring opportunities. They plated two runs, courtesy of key hits from Eduardo de Oleo and Starling Joseph, giving them a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals fought back and managed to score a run in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to a base hit by Luis Bernardo, closing the gap to just one run.
In the ninth inning, with the game hanging in the balance, the Cardinals were able to load the bases where Charlie Towers drew a walk to cash in the game-tying run. Clayton Keyes hit a base hit to walk off the Cardinals.
Pitching played a crucial role in this game, with both teams receiving strong performances from their pitchers. For the Majors, Owen Boon delivered an impressive outing, lasting 7.2 innings while allowing only two earned runs and striking out 14 batters. However, Edisson Gonzalez struggled in relief, surrendering two runs in just 0.2 innings of work, resulting in the loss.
On the Cardinals' side, starting pitcher Jayson Wilbur went five innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. He was followed by solid relief appearances from Corben Peters and Stefan Strecker, who combined for four scoreless innings to shut down the Majors' offense and secure the win.
Offensively, the Majors were led by Edwin de Oleo, who had a standout performance, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Chris Keyes and Thomas Duncan were the offensive catalysts for the Cardinals, combining for five hits, two runs, and two RBIs.
Despite the Majors' efforts, they were unable to overcome the late rally from the Cardinals, resulting in their third consecutive loss to start the season. The Cardinals, on the other hand, improved their record to 2-1 and showcased their resilience and ability to come from behind.
The next game for both teams will provide an opportunity for the Majors to bounce back and for the Cardinals to build on their momentum.