Lars Nootbaar hit a home run and a triple, bringing in three runs, while Ryan Helsley earned his franchise-record 49th save as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-3 on Friday night.
The Cardinals have won five out of their last six games and achieved their 23rd winning season in the past 25 years. The Giants’ loss means they will end this season with a record below .500 for the third consecutive year, following their franchise-best 107 wins in 2021.
Nootbaar, who has the best on-base percentage on the team since the All-Star break, hit a solo homer in the third inning to reduce a 3-1 lead and then contributed to a four-run fourth inning by driving in two runs with a two-out triple.
“He hits the ball hard and he’s got great plate discipline,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “With that combination, he could be a scary hitter. The last several games, you’re seeing him drive the baseball and stay through the middle of the field.
That homer was fun to watch, and he drove in those other two runs as well. He’s taking steps in a really good direction.”
Nolan Arenado also had a strong performance against the Giants, going 3-for-3 at the plate and driving in a run. The eight-time All-Star has a total of 175 hits and 113 RBIs against the Giants, which is his highest number against any team.
Helsley struck out two batters in the ninth inning for his 49th save, leading all of Major League Baseball and setting a new single-season record for the Cardinals, breaking Trevor Rosenthal’s previous record from 2015.
Helsley hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 17 games and is now two saves ahead of Emmanuel Clase from Cleveland.
“Just telling myself it’s something I’ve done a lot of times before, not trying to make the moment too big and just to go out there and have some fun,” said the 30-year-old Helsley about how he felt warming up.
Marmol mentioned that the Cardinals have had many close games this season, making it important to have a reliable closer.
“He’s lights out,” Marmol said. “If you get to the ninth, you’re winning the ball game.”
