Cardinals Take Series Finale to Avoid Sweep

Andre Pallante held the Rangers to one run over 5 2/3 innings as the Cardinals took the series finale 5-3 Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

June 4, 2026

Cardinals 5, Rangers 3

The St. Louis Cardinals salvaged the series finale against the Texas Rangers Wednesday night at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-3 behind a strong outing from Andre Pallante and a three-hit night from Jordan Walker. Pallante held the Rangers to one earned run across 5 2/3 innings to earn the win. Alec Burleson drove in three runs and Nelson Velázquez added two hits and an RBI off the bench. MacKenzie Gore took the loss after allowing four earned runs in relief. Riley O’Brien closed it out with a perfect ninth for the save.

Cardinals Strike Early and Often

The Cardinals wasted no time against Rangers starter Luis Curvelo. St. Louis plated one run in the first inning off Curvelo, who lasted only 1 1/3 innings before giving way to Gore. The Rangers turned to Gore in relief, but he struggled immediately. The Cardinals added two more runs in the third to push the lead to three. They then tacked on one in the fifth and another in the sixth to build a 5-1 cushion. Gore allowed nine hits and four earned runs across 4 2/3 innings on 100 pitches before departing. The Cardinals went 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position on the night — a marked improvement over recent performances in those situations.

Walker Sets the Table

Walker was the catalyst all evening. The right fielder went 3-for-4 and scored three times. He reached base consistently and forced the Rangers defense to stay on alert throughout. He did not drive in a run, but his ability to get on base repeatedly created the opportunities that Burleson and Velázquez converted. Burleson was the most productive run producer in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Velázquez went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a strong showing off the bench. Thomas Saggese contributed a triple and an RBI as well, giving the Cardinals balanced production across the lineup.

Rangers Make It Interesting

Pallante settled in after allowing one run in the third, finishing with three hits, one earned run, five strikeouts, and two walks across 5 2/3 innings on 85 pitches. Romero entered in the seventh and allowed two runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning, cutting the lead to two and handing the momentum back to the Rangers briefly. Pederson’s two-RBI triple was the big blow. However, Ryne Stanek answered with 1 2/3 scoreless innings to stabilize the bullpen, and O’Brien retired the side in order in the ninth on only 13 pitches to close it out.

The Rangers went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position — a recurring issue for a lineup that has now scored three or fewer runs in back-to-back games. Without Corey Seager in the lineup due to lower back inflammation, the Rangers lack the middle-of-the-order presence needed to mount sustained comebacks against quality pitching.

What Went Right for the Cardinals

Pallante Was Sharp

One earned run across 5 2/3 innings on 85 pitches is exactly the kind of start the Cardinals rotation has needed. Pallante struck out five, limited the Rangers to three hits, and worked efficiently through the heart of the Rangers order. His ERA now sits at 4.19 on the season, and Wednesday was his best performance in several weeks.

Burleson Delivers the Big Hits

Burleson went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI — the most productive offensive line of the game. His ability to drive in runs with runners in scoring position was the difference in a game that could have been much closer.

Walker’s Three-Hit Night

Walker went 3-for-4 and scored three times. He reached base in four of his five plate appearances and was the engine that kept the Cardinals offense moving all evening.

What Went Right for the Rangers

Pederson’s Triple

Pederson went 1-for-5, but his one hit was a two-RBI triple in the seventh that briefly made it a two-run game. It was the Rangers’ most impactful swing of the night and the one moment that gave the Busch Stadium crowd a moment of tension.

Higashioka Reaches Base

Higashioka went 1-for-4 but drew two walks and scored twice — the most productive individual effort in the Rangers lineup. His ability to work counts kept Rangers innings alive even when the offense struggled to generate hits.

What Went Wrong for the Cardinals

Romero’s Seventh Inning Stumble

With the Cardinals leading 5-1 heading into the seventh, Romero entered and allowed two runs on two hits across 2/3 of an inning, including a Pederson two-RBI triple that cut the deficit to two. It was an unnecessary scare in a game the Cardinals had well in hand. His 23-pitch outing forced Stanek into a longer appearance than anticipated.

Winn and Gorman Held Hitless

Two of the Cardinals’ most consistent offensive contributors were completely neutralized Wednesday. Winn finished 0-for-5 with a walk, and Gorman went 0-for-4. In a game where the Cardinals ultimately won comfortably, their absence at the plate was notable and worth monitoring heading into the Cincinnati Reds series.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

Gore Couldn’t Stop the Cardinals

Entering in relief of Curvelo with the Cardinals already leading, Gore needed to keep the game close. He could not. Nine hits and four earned runs across 4 2/3 innings on 100 pitches was a taxing, damaging appearance that effectively ended the Rangers’ chances of a comeback.

Curvelo’s Short Outing

The Rangers’ plan to start Curvelo backfired immediately. He allowed two hits and one earned run in 1 1/3 innings on 20 pitches, forcing the Rangers to turn to Gore far earlier than anticipated. The shortened start put unnecessary pressure on the Rangers lineup in a game they needed to win.

Runners Left Stranded

The Rangers went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Despite putting runners on base throughout the game, they could not convert when it mattered. Duran finished 0-for-4, Burger went hitless in four at-bats, and the Rangers left eight runners on base — a performance that defined their inability to keep pace with the Cardinals offense.

Quick Hits

The Cardinals improved to 32-28 with the victory, salvaging one game of the three-game series against the Rangers
Saggese went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in one of his better individual efforts of the season
The Rangers fell to 30-32 with the loss

Looking Ahead

Andre Pallante (6-4, 4.19 ERA) earned the win for the Cardinals as MacKenzie Gore (4-5, 3.96) took the loss for the Rangers. Riley O’Brien earned the save.

The Cardinals open a three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, June 5 at 7:15 pm Central at Busch Stadium. Starting pitchers for that series have not yet been announced.