The Los Angeles Angels emerged with a narrow 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings on Monday night, powered by a late-game triple from Kyren Paris and productive at-bats from Mike Trout and Nolan Schanuel. The win marked the series’ opening game at Busch Stadium and set the tone for the three-game stretch.
The contest remained competitive throughout, with both teams exchanging leads until the Angels took control in the 10th inning. Tied at 3 entering extras, Los Angeles advanced their designated runner to third base and loaded the bases with two walks. Nolan Schanuel sent a slow grounder to second baseman Brendan Donovan, who attempted to cut down the lead runner at the plate. However, his throw arrived too late, allowing Luis Rengifo to score the go-ahead run. Mike Trout added a deep sacrifice fly to center field that brought in Paris, giving the Angels a 5-3 cushion.
In the bottom of the 10th, St. Louis trimmed the lead when Victor Scott II lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring the inherited runner. However, rookie reliever Ryan Johnson, in only his second big league appearance, secured his first career save by striking out Masyn Winn with the tying run on base.
Brock Burke earned the victory with one inning of scoreless relief, while JoJo Romero took the loss for St. Louis after being charged with the decisive 10th-inning runs.
The Cardinals initially took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run from Lars Nootbaar. The ball was first ruled in play, but the umpiring crew overturned the call following a brief discussion and determined it had cleared the fence. St. Louis added two more runs later on a solo homer by Brendan Donovan and an RBI single by Nolan Arenado.
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning, the Angels tied the game on a sharply hit triple by Kyren Paris that rolled into the left-field corner. Rengifo scored from first base, leveling the score and setting up the extra-inning drama. Four of the Angels’ five runs came from walks or sacrifice flies, highlighting their ability to capitalize on small-ball opportunities.
The Angels improved to 3-1 on the season, while the Cardinals fell to 2-2. Los Angeles showed patience at the plate, drawing five walks, four of which resulted in runs. Trout finished the game with two RBIs, including his sac fly in the 10th, and Paris provided a key offensive spark late.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s matchup, the Angels are expected to start veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who will make his debut with the club after 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Hendricks brings a career record of 97-81 and a 3.68 ERA. The Cardinals will counter with left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Early betting odds list the matchup as nearly even, with sportsbooks favoring the Cardinals slightly at home with moneyline odds around -120. The projected over/under sits at 8.5 runs.
