2026

Originally posted on Inside The Diamonds
By Chris Lavallee | Last updated May 16, 2026 11:57 AM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals are 26-18 after winning the first game of the I-70 series over the Royals.. They’re 2.5 games back of the Cubs for first place in the National League Central, and hold a 0.5 games lead 2.5 game lead in the wild card in National League.

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MLB Game Recap

The Royals opened the scoring with an RBI double and added to that with a sacrifice fly. The Cardinals tied the game up with a two-run home run by Jordan Walker in the bottom of the fourth. The Cardinals took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Pedro Pages hit a solo home run. The Royals added a run in the sixth. The game would go to extras. In the tenth Bobby Witt Jr. doubled home a run. In the bottom half Alec Burleson singled home the game-tying run. The 11th saw the Royals be held scoreless but in the bottom half Yohel Pozo singled home the game-winning run.

Standout Performer

Jordan Walker went 3-5 and had his two-run home run in the win.

Key News & Notes

JJ Wetherholt extended his on-base streak which is now up to eighth games as he walked last night. Jordan Walker in the last two games is 5-10 with a double, two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored. He’s homered three times in his last five games.

Farm Report

Memphis Redbirds (AAA): Bligh Madris went 1-2 with a two run home run, he had three RBI in a 7-5 win over the Jumbo Shrimp.
Springfield Cardinals (AA): Rainiel Rodriguez went 1-6 but the one hit was a two-run homer that led to their 7-4 extra innings win over the Drillers.
Peoria Chiefs (A+): Jalin Flores went 2-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in a 5-2 win over the Sky Carp.
Palm Beach Cardinals (A): Lars Nootbaar reached base in both of his at-bats. He hit a solo home run in the first and walked in his second at-bat in a 6-5 extra innings loss to the Tortugas.
FCL Cardinals (ROK): Miguel Hernandez went 2-3 with a solo home run in the seventh in a 4-3 loss to the FCL-Nationals.