Nolan Arenado and Alec Burleson each had two hits and drove in two runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.
Burleson, who has the most RBIs in home games since June 20 with 26, was thrilled to meet his wrestling hero, Randy Orton, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“I got a photo with him and a team belt,” Burleson said. “I told the other guys that I don’t think I could meet anybody else and be as star-struck. That was pretty cool. I changed my walk-up (music) just for tonight, for him. … I might have to keep it.”
Erick Fedde (8-5) earned the win by pitching five innings. Willson Contreras and Masyn Winn also had two hits each for the Cardinals.
Fedde, who struggled after being traded from the Chicago White Sox, had a strong performance in his first start at home, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
“I would have loved to go deeper into the game,” Fedde said. “My stuff felt better.”
Ryan Helsley closed out the game with his major league-leading 36th save in 39 chances. Josh Lowe had two hits and scored a run for the Rays. Tampa Bay has struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1 for 21 in the last two games.
“We’re not getting the big hit. We’ve got to find a way to get that hit,“ Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It’s back-to-back nights where it seems we’re like one big hit away from getting back in the ballgame. It’s just not coming easy right now.”
Taj Bradley (6-6) was taken out after 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits. He had been the American League Pitcher of the Month for July with a 1.45 ERA.
“I wasn’t as commanding with my pitches as I normally am,” Bradley said. “I tried to do too much and it led to mistakes.”
The Cardinals scored first in the game when Contreras hit a single to bring in Winn, who had doubled to start the inning.
