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Cardinals Edge Padres 3-2, Reach 40 Wins

6/17/2026

47 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cardinals Beat Padres

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Andre Pallante threw seven innings, allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out six, improving to 8-4.
Riley O'Brien recorded his 18th save in the win.
JJ Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with a walk, matching his season-high hits for the fourth time.
The victory made the Cardinals the fifth National League team to reach 40 wins this season.

Summary

May Completes Comeback

Dustin May threw his first complete game after multiple arm injuries and a life-threatening esophagus tear.
It was Dustin May’s ninth complete game, sixth shutout, and first since missing 2024.
The Padres played without Samad Taylor, who served a one-game suspension.
Wandy Peralta opened, reflecting bullpen adjustments after Kyle Hart closed the final two innings when Mason Miller went on bereavement leave.

History

Historical Context

After the Cincinnati Reds ended a 35-year championship drought by winning the 1975 World Series—thanks to Sparky Anderson’s “Big Red Machine” and a 108-win season—their reliance on starters like Don Gullett defined postseason lore. That same starter-centric narrative resurfaces in the 2024 Cardinals-Padres game, showing how historic pitching strategies still shape modern playoff outcomes.

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Cardinals Beat Padres

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Andre Pallante threw seven innings, allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out six, improving to 8-4.
Riley O'Brien recorded his 18th save in the win.
JJ Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with a walk, matching his season-high hits for the fourth time.
The victory made the Cardinals the fifth National League team to reach 40 wins this season.

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