The Cardinals turned a four-run first inning into a 6-4 victory over the Athletics, weathering Oakland's comeback attempt at Sutter Health Park on Monday night.
Andre Pallante earned the win with 5.0 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts. The right-hander reached 500 career innings pitched in this game, carrying a 4.68 ERA. Riley O'Brien secured his 12th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
St. Louis struck immediately in the first. Walker singled to left, bringing Wetherholt home for the game's first run. Fermín followed with a double to center that scored both Walker and Herrera, extending the lead to 3-0. Pozo capped the rally with an RBI single to center, scoring Fermín for a 4-0 advantage.
Jeffrey Springs took the loss despite limiting the damage after the first inning. The left-hander allowed 4 runs over 5.0 innings with 5 strikeouts, falling to 3-3. Oakland mounted a response in the second when Kurtz singled home Hernaiz, then Langeliers doubled to left, scoring both Kurtz and McNeil to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Wetherholt's two-run homer in the sixth gave St. Louis breathing room at 6-3. Langeliers answered with a solo shot in the eighth, his 100th career home run, but the Cardinals held on. St. Louis snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 23-17. Oakland fell to 21-19 after the loss.