Game Summary
The final game of September turned into a roller‑coaster at Oracle Park. San Francisco started strong when Heliot Ramos launched a leadoff homer, his 19th of the year, and later ripped a bases‑loaded two‑run single to push the lead to 4‑2 by the fourth inning. The Cardinals, however, were not finished. In the fifth, Iván Herrera smashed a two‑run shot that tied the game, and a defensive miscue by second‑baseman Casey Schmitt handed St. Louis the go‑ahead run. Jordan Walker followed with an RBI groundout, making it 6‑4.
Veteran right‑hander Justin Verlander, who came in with a sparkling 0.36 ERA over his last four starts, unraveled badly. He surrendered six runs on nine hits in just 4.1 innings, slipping to a 3‑11 record. Opposite him, Michael McGreevy, despite allowing five runs, earned the win and improved to 8‑3. JoJo Romero closed the night with a flawless ninth inning, securing his eighth save.
- Ramos: 1 HR, 2-run single
- Herrera: 2‑run homer (key tie)
- José Fermín: 2 hits, 1 RBI for St. Louis
- Verlander: 6 runs, 9 hits, 4.1 IP
- McGreevy: 5 runs, 6 hits, 5 IP
Implications for the Playoff Race
The loss drops the Giants to 77‑80, leaving them 3.5 games behind both the idle New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot. With only five games left, San Francisco must win virtually every remaining matchup while hoping the teams ahead stumble. Their upcoming six‑game homestand on the road adds extra pressure, especially against opponents fighting for their own postseason lives.
St. Louis, meanwhile, improves to 83‑71 and strengthens its hold on the NL Central. The victory not only adds a critical win in the final stretch but also showcases the depth of the Cardinals' bullpen, which used five arms to preserve the lead despite late‑game tension from the Giants.
In a season where every run mattered, the Cardinals’ fifth‑inning surge proved decisive, turning a close contest into a blow to San Francisco’s Wild Card hopes. The Giants now face a make‑or‑break scenario that will test the resolve of their roster and coaching staff as the regular season draws to a close.
