One Run, One Homer: Cardinals' Offense Vanishes in Miami Series Finale

MIA  0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 -- 4
STL  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -- 1

Cardinals managed just one run in the finale, a ninth-inning Ivan Herrera solo homer (his 3rd) that spoiled the shutout. Leahy labored through 5.0 IP (8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) before the bullpen trio of Graceffo, Svanson, and Fernandez kept Miami scoreless the rest of the way. Marlins starter Janson Junk was the story: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K. The Marlins took the series 2-of-3.

PREDICTION GRADES

INCONCLUSIVE -- Burleson reaches base: Burleson did not appear in the Cardinals lineup; prediction rolled over from a prior report.

INCONCLUSIVE -- Stowers reaches base: Stowers did not appear in the Marlins lineup; prediction rolled over from a prior report.

WRONG -- Junk strikeouts: Junk recorded 2 K in 5.0 IP. Needed 4+.

WRONG -- Edwards SB attempt: Edwards had 0 SB and 0 CS. SB + CS = 0. Needed 1+.

CORRECT -- Cardinals K total: Cardinals batters combined for 9 K (Wetherholt 2 + Fermin 1 + Church 2 + Saggese 1 + Pages 1 + Scott 2). Threshold 8+. 9 >= 8.

Hit rate: 1/3 (33%) -- inconclusive predictions excluded from denominator.