Final
Miller goes the distance as Cardinals top Blue Jays
Jun 7, 2014 - 11:39 PM Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Shelby Miller pitched a complete game three- hitter and the St. Louis Cardinals upended the surging Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0, on Saturday to even this three-game set at Rogers Centre.Miller (7-5) was nearly flawless against the best offense in the majors, striking out five with just one walk to end a personal three-game losing skid. Toronto, which had won six straight games and 15 of 17 overall, entered the day leading the major league with 314 runs and 89 homers.
Miller had a perfect game through 4 1/3 before missing outside with a 3-2 fastball and walking Adam Lind. He kept the no-hitter intact though, inducing a Brett Lawrie groundout before Juan Francisco flied to the warning track in center.
Reyes finally broke up the no-hit bid with two outs in the sixth, lacing a single to right. Melky Cabrera then doubled sharply off the glove of a diving Allen Craig, putting two runners in scoring position with two outs for Jose Bautista. Miller got Bautista chasing a high fastball to end the inning.
"(Miller) was tremendous," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "They have a good pitching staff over there, as good as anybody in baseball. We hit a couple balls that we thought might have a chance, but they flagged them down."
Earlier, Randall Grichuk put the Cardinals in front with the first homer in his major league career, a solo shot to center in the fifth inning off Toronto starter Mark Buehrle (10-2).
"I'm just glad I got it," said Grichuk, referring to his first home run. "I got it out of the way."
Buehrle, who had won six straight decisions, was the hard-luck loser in this one after yielding just the one run on five hits over seven frames.
Craig's double off Aaron Loup in the eighth led to a couple insurance runs. Jhonny Peralta was intentionally walked to set up a force at any bag, but Oscar Taveras grounded a single into right and Mark Ellis drew a walk to force in a run and make it 2-0.
Peter Bourjos struck out looking for the second out before Tony Cruz padded the cushion with a two-run single to center. Reliever Steve Delabar then issued a pair of walks, forcing in another run to result in the final tally.
Game Notes
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, mired in a 3-for-29 slump, was given the day off ... Cabrera had two of Toronto's three hits ... Toronto's Drew Hutchison will oppose Jaime Garcia of the Cardinals in Sunday's rubber match.
- ST. LOUIS: 5
TORONTO: 0
Final
Jun 7 3:46 PM - Randal Grichuk walk scored Mark Ellis with two out. Bases loaded and Matt Holliday due up.
Cardinals 5, Blue Jays 0 Top 8, 2 OutsJun 7 3:19 PM - Tony Cruz singled to center scoring Jhonny Peralta and Oscar Taveras with two out. On the play, Mark Ellis advances to third. Cruz advanced to second on throw. Runners on second and third with Matt Carpenter due up.
Cardinals 4, Blue Jays 0 Top 8, 2 OutsJun 7 3:13 PM - Mark Ellis walk scored Allen Craig with one out. Bases loaded and Peter Bourjos due up.
Cardinals 2, Blue Jays 0 Top 8, 1 OutJun 7 3:10 PM - Randal Grichuk one-out, solo Home Run (1) to center. Matt Holliday due up.
Cardinals 1, Blue Jays 0 Top 5, 1 OutJun 7 2:14 PM - ST. LOUIS: 0
TORONTO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 7 1:08 PM
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