Cardinals Edge Padres

• June 16, 2026

Cardinals 3, Padres 2

The St. Louis Cardinals edged the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium to clinch the series with a game to spare. Andre Pallante turned in seven strong innings without issuing a walk, and the relief corps made a one-run lead stand up. JJ Wetherholt reached base four times, while Blaze Jordan and Nathan Church each drove in a run. Riley O’Brien closed it out for the save, and Michael King took the loss for the Padres.

Cardinals Strike in the Second

The Cardinals pushed across two runs in the second inning against King. Lars Nootbaar drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a groundout. Jordan followed with an RBI double to left, scoring Nootbaar, and Church kept the line moving with a run-scoring single that brought Jordan home. The early two-run cushion was all the Cardinals managed against King, but it set the tone.

King could not survive the fifth. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with three walks and one strikeout on 93 pitches. The Padres’ relievers — Ron Marinaccio, Wandy Peralta, and Yuki Matsui — held the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the way, but the damage was done.

Pallante Cruises

Pallante was efficient from the outset. The right-hander tossed seven innings on 92 pitches, allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks. He retired the side in order in the first and kept the Padres off balance for most of the night. Lars Nootbaar’s sacrifice fly scored Ivan Herrera in the fifth inning, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 3-1.

The Padres scratched out single runs in the fifth and sixth, with Ty France and Jackson Merrill each driving in a run, and Samad Taylor and Fernando Tatis Jr. each scoring. Pallante limited the damage, however, and turned the game over to Ryne Stanek with the lead intact.

Relievers Lock It Down

Stanek handled the eighth, striking out two in a scoreless frame. O’Brien pitched around a walk in the ninth to secure the save. After Pallante’s exit, the Padres did not even have a runner reach scoring position, and the Cardinals held on for their second straight win to open the series.

What Went Right for the Cardinals

Pallante’s Seven Strong

Two runs, no walks, six strikeouts across seven innings. Pallante pounded the strike zone and handed a lead to a rested back end. It was exactly the kind of start the Cardinals needed.

Wetherholt Reaches Four Times

Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with a walk, reaching base in four of his five plate appearances. He was the most consistent hitter in the lineup from start to finish.

The Relief Corps Slams the Door

Stanek and O’Brien combined for two scoreless innings. Stanek struck out two in the eighth, and O’Brien stranded a walk in the ninth to lock down the save.

What Went Wrong for the Cardinals

Missed Chances With Runners On

The Cardinals collected eight hits but went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. They left the door open for a closer game than necessary, though the relief corps ensured it did not matter.

Quiet Top of the Order

Jimmy Crooks, Herrera, and Jordan Walker combined to go hitless. The Cardinals got their production from the middle and bottom of the lineup.

Quick Hits

• The Cardinals won the first two games of the three-game series and improved 40-31
• The Padres fell 37-35
• Pallante did not walk a batter across seven innings.
• Wetherholt reached base four times in the leadoff spot.

Looking Ahead

Andre Pallante (8-4, 3.76 ERA) earned the win for the Cardinals as Michael King (4-6, 3.60) took the loss for the Padres. Riley O’Brien (3-3, 3.73) earned the save.

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The Cardinals and Padres wrap up their three-game series Wednesday, June 17 at 1:15 pm Central at Busch Stadium. Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.64) will start for the Cardinals, and the Padres starting pitcher had not yet been announced as of press time.

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