CLEVELAND — Coming off their biggest comeback win of the season, a scoreless start from Matthew Liberatore and a three-run home run in the first inning by Nolan Gorman helped power the Cardinals to a new high on Sunday against the Guardians.
After receiving six scoreless innings from Liberatore and Gorman’s early blast, the Cardinals secured a 7-0 win over Cleveland at Progressive Field to notch a series sweep and put them at a season-best nine games above .500.
Liberatore took the mound with a lead in hand after Gorman belted a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. He worked through a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half of the frame and faced minimal traffic in the frame that followed before needing to hold runners at first and second base to end the fifth inning.
Liberatore’s exit came with no outs and runners on first and second base in the seventh. Reliever JoJo Romero’s scoreless effort in relief helped the lefty starter to his second scoreless outing of at least six innings this season.
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In their sweep of Cleveland, the Cardinals (47-38) allowed six runs across 27 innings.
The Cardinals leapt out to a lead two pitches into Gorman’s at-bat vs. left-handed Guardians starter Logan Allen. After Allen held the Cardinals scoreless through his next five innings, Victor Scott II provided a jolt of his own to add to the Cardinals’ lead.
Scott pulled a 1-2 fastball off Hunter Gaddis to right field for a two-run homer that marked his fourth of the season. Two runs in the eighth produced on a sacrifice fly from Pedro Pages and a single from Garrett Hampson pushed the Cardinals’ lead to seven.
Gorman gets the lefty
In his effort to get the Cardinals on the scoreboard in the first inning, Gorman collected just his second extra-base hit of the season when facing a left-handed pitcher.
Batting with runners on first and third base and two outs in the first inning, Gorman pulled an 0-1 sweeper from Allen to right-center field for a 428-foot homer that had a 110.5 mph exit velocity. The home run was Gorman’s seventh of the season and his second vs. a lefty this year.
Before starting at designated hitter on Sunday, Gorman had a .152 batting average and slugged .242 in 40 plate appearances against lefties. His five hits in 33 at-bats vs. left-hander included five RBIs and 10 strikeouts.
Romero holds the Guardians
Brought in with runners on first and second base and no outs in the seventh inning, Romero needed 12 pitches to deliver a clean outing that helped Liberatore secure his scoreless start.
Romero worked back from a 2-1 count to strike out Jonathan Rodriguez swinging on a change-up well below the strike zone. He followed that by striking out Austin Hedges on five pitches that ended with a whiff on a 96 mph fastball that got Hedges to chase above the strike zone. A softly hit grounder in front of the second base bag fielded by shortstop Masyn Winn got Romero out of the inning and closed the book on Liberatore’s outing.
For Romero, the outing shrunk his ERA to 2.81 on the season after it sat at 7.27 near the end of April. With the scoreless performance, the lefty has now allowed just two runs (one earned) in his previous 17 innings dating back to April 27.
Arenado reaches milestones, exits early
A day after four of his Cardinals teammates hit milestones for their careers, Arenado secured two of his own on Sunday. The first came in the third inning on an infield single.
On a pitch he drilled into the dirt for a bouncing grounder to shortstop, Arenado beat the throw from Daniel Schneeman to reach base with the 1,900th hit of his career. Arenado joined former teammate Paul Goldschmidt, Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen, Houston’s Jose Altuve and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman as the only active players with 1,900 or more hits as a major leaguer.
In the sixth inning, Arenado blooped a 1-1 cutter from Allen down the right-field line for the 400th double of his career. Arenado, who reached third base on the play when Rodriguez misplayed it after it bounced off the wall down the right field line, joined Goldschmidt, Freeman and Altuve as the only active players in Major League Baseball with 400 or more doubles.
Arenado was pinch-hit for by Jose Fermin at start of the eighth inning. The removal was for “precautionary reasons.”
Arias suffers ankle sprain
Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias was forced to exit Sunday’s game in the third inning because of a left ankle sprain that required him to be carted off the field. A Guardians official said X-rays on the left ankle were negative.
Arias attempted to slide feet first on a ground ball Winn pulled to left field and appeared to have his left cleat get caught under him as it dug into the outfield turf. Following the slide attempt, Arias remained down the on the outfield grass as he clutched his lower left leg.
Arias was attended to on the field before being carted off. Schneeman replaced Arias at shortstop following his exit.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras speaks with the media on Thursday, June 26, 2025, after a second-straight loss to the Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Video by Ethan Erickson, Post-Dispatch)
Ethan Erickson | Post-Dispatch
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St. Louis Cardinals’ Jose Fermine, front, scores on a sacrifice fly by Pedro Pages as Cleveland Guardians’ Austin Hedges is late with the tag during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann (10) is forced out at second base by St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn, center, as Thomas Saggese, rear, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II watches his two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pages (43) congratulates Victor Scott II (11) after his two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II (11) is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore pauses between pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Angel Martinez throws out St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez throws St. Louis Cardinals’ Thomas Saggese out at first base during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias (13) is helped onto a medical cart after an injury as manager Stephan Vogt (12) and Carlos Santana (41) stand by during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, sitting, is assisted after being injured during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, center, is taken from the field after an injury by medical personnel during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Guardians during the first inning Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Thomas Saggese, left, congratulates Nolan Gorman after his three- run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen, front, looks away as Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a game Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman watches his three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (26) during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley works out before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee pauses during a workout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee stretches during a workout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Garrett Hampson prepares to catch a fly ball by Cleveland Guardians’ Austin Hedges during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher John King delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan, right, and St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pages, watch the final out of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman (16) greets Thomas Saggese (25) and John King (47) at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Pedro Pages, right, congratulates reliever John King, left, at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn (0) and Brendan Donovan (33) greet Victor Scott II (11) at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Jose Fermine, front, scores on a sacrifice fly by Pedro Pages as Cleveland Guardians’ Austin Hedges is late with the tag during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Daniel Schneemann (10) is forced out at second base by St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn, center, as Thomas Saggese, rear, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II watches his two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pages (43) congratulates Victor Scott II (11) after his two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II (11) is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Hunter Gaddis during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore pauses between pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Angel Martinez throws out St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez throws St. Louis Cardinals’ Thomas Saggese out at first base during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias (13) is helped onto a medical cart after an injury as manager Stephan Vogt (12) and Carlos Santana (41) stand by during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, sitting, is assisted after being injured during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Gabriel Arias, center, is taken from the field after an injury by medical personnel during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Guardians during the first inning Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Thomas Saggese, left, congratulates Nolan Gorman after his three- run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen, front, looks away as Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a game Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman watches his three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen (26) during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Logan Allen delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley works out before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee pauses during a workout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee stretches during a workout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Garrett Hampson prepares to catch a fly ball by Cleveland Guardians’ Austin Hedges during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher John King delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan, right, and St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pages, watch the final out of a baseball game, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman (16) greets Thomas Saggese (25) and John King (47) at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Pedro Pages, right, congratulates reliever John King, left, at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn (0) and Brendan Donovan (33) greet Victor Scott II (11) at the end of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Cleveland.
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