The St. Louis Cardinals scratched out a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Great American Ball Park. Alec Burleson supplied all the offensive punch St. Louis needed, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, while a six-man bullpen collaboration kept Cincinnati's bats quiet after starter Quinn Mathews exited. In a tight division contest decided by a single run, the Cardinals showed the kind of resilience that wins close games on the road — and they'll need more of it as the 2026 regular season grind continues.
Cardinals Pitching Staff Combines for Nine Strikeouts After Mathews Exits Early
Quinn Mathews gave the Cardinals four innings, striking out seven and allowing just two hits — but three walks and an earned run meant St. Louis needed length from the bullpen. Luis Gastelum answered immediately, throwing a clean inning with two strikeouts and earning the win. Gordon Graceffo, George Soriano, and Ryne Stanek each added a scoreless frame before Riley O'Brien closed it out in the ninth, striking out the side to earn the save. The Cardinals' relief corps combined to throw five innings, allowing zero earned runs on one hit.
Burleson and Walker Carry the St. Louis Offense
The Cardinals managed their two runs on a modest offensive output, but Burleson made his hits count. The left-handed hitter went 2-for-4 and plated both of St. Louis's runs, providing the margin that held up all night. Jordan Walker also went 2-for-4, giving the Cardinals two contributors with multi-hit performances. Beyond those two, the St. Louis lineup was largely quiet against Cincinnati's pitching staff.
Dane Myers Keeps Reds in It with Solo Home Run
Cincinnati's lone run came off the bat of Dane Myers, who went 2-for-4 and launched a solo home run to account for the Reds' only scoring. Starting pitcher Kent Emanuel took the loss after allowing both Cardinals runs on five hits over five innings, walking three and striking out four. Myers gave the Reds life, but the St. Louis bullpen never let Cincinnati build on it.
Turning Point: Gastelum Shuts the Door After Mathews Departs
With Mathews out after four innings and a one-run Cardinals lead, the game hinged on whether the St. Louis bullpen could keep Cincinnati off the board. Gastelum's clean fifth inning — two strikeouts, no baserunners — was the hinge moment. That said, Mathews' abbreviated outing is worth watching: four innings, three walks, and 73-plus pitches is not the profile of a pitcher in command of his stuff. The Cardinals won despite him, not because of him, and that's a conversation the rotation needs to have. The Reds never threatened seriously after Gastelum took over, as St. Louis relievers retired hitters efficiently through the final frame when O'Brien struck out three to close it.
What's Next for the Cardinals
St. Louis remains in Cincinnati following this Monday night win, with the series continuing as part of the 2026 regular season schedule. For Burleson, this was a statement game — both RBI, both hits delivered with purpose, the kind of performance that reminds you why he's in the lineup every day. The Cardinals will look to carry that offensive efficiency into the next contest, and if the bullpen can keep performing the way it did Monday night, St. Louis has a formula that travels well on the road.
