Full Breakdown
Cardinals Halt Two-Game Slide with 6-4 Victory Over Athletics
5/13/2026, 10:02:12 PM
Game Overview
On Tuesday night, May 13, 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Oakland Athletics 6–4 at the newly opened Sacramento venue. The Cardinals built a four-run lead in the first inning, extended it with a two-run homer by rookie JJ Wetherholt in the sixth, and held on after Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers launched a 448-foot, 12th career homer in the eighth. Reliever Riley O’Brien closed the game for his 12th save.
Road Form and Recent Trends
The win snapped a two-game skid and improved St. Louis’ major-league-best road record to 14-7. The Cardinals have yet to lose three straight road games this season. Oakland fell to 2-0 in its latest road series, extending a losing streak that began the previous night. The Athletics’ Nick Kurtz reached a 35-game on-base streak—the longest for the club since Jack Cust’s 40-game run (2008-09). Langeliers recorded his 100th career homer, underscoring his power surge.
Key Performers
- JJ Wetherholt (C) – two-run homer, two hits, .210 average for the month.
- José Fermín (LF) – two-run double, three RBIs.
- Andre Pallante (RHP) – 5 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 4 K; record 4-3.
- Riley O’Brien (RHP) – 9th-inning save, 12th of the season.
- Shea Langeliers (C) – 12th career homer, 448-ft blast.
- Ivan Herrera (1B) – two hits, including a single that set up the first-inning run.
- Yohel Pozo (DH) – RBI single in the first inning.
Scoring Timeline
- 1st Inning: Jordan Walker RBI single, Fermín double (2 RBI), Pozo RBI single – Cardinals lead 4-0.
- 2nd Inning: Oakland replies with Nick Kurtz RBI single (extending his streak) and a two-run double by Langeliers – A’s trim deficit to 4-3.
- 6th Inning: Wetherholt’s two-run homer off Joel Kuhnel puts St. Louis up 6-3.
- 8th Inning: Langeliers’ 448-ft homer off George Soriano narrows margin to 6-4.
- 9th Inning: O’Brien walks Lawrence Butler, induces a double play, then retires Jeff McNeil to secure the win.
Statistical Highlights
- Cardinals: 14-7 road record; 10 wins in last 14 games.
- Athletics: second straight loss; 4 runs on 6 hits, 5 K.
- Nick Kurtz’s 35-game on-base streak (longest since 2008-09).
- Wetherholt’s eighth season homer, first in 38 May at-bats after seven homers in April.
- Langeliers’ 12th career homer, 100th overall.
- O’Brien’s 12th save ties the major-league lead.
Implications for Both Teams
St. Louis’ road success positions the Cardinals to avoid a three-game road losing streak and sustains momentum heading into the next series. Oakland’s back-to-back defeats highlight pitching vulnerabilities despite Langeliers’ power, potentially affecting its standing in the competitive AL West.
What’s Next
The Cardinals will start left-hander Matthew Liberatore (2-1, 4.07 ERA) on Wednesday, while Oakland counters with right-hander J.T. Ginn (1-1, 3.62 ERA).
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No official statements from either club were provided in the source material, and no direct quotations are available. Information on injuries is limited to Jacob Wilson’s dislocated left shoulder, which placed him on the 10-day injured list.
