Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats
The Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats from August 17, 2026, tell the story of a closely contested Major League Baseball game decided by early offense and outstanding relief pitching. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the first game of a doubleheader. St. Louis collected seven hits and scored both of its runs in the opening inning, while Cincinnati managed three hits and scored its only run on a solo home run by D. Myers in the fourth inning. Both teams played without committing a defensive error, making pitching execution and the timing of key hits central to the result.
The game offered a useful example of how a low-scoring baseball matchup can turn on a small number of important moments. The Cardinals established an early lead through Alec Burleson’s two-RBI double, then relied on six pitchers to protect their advantage. The Reds had opportunities to respond, but St. Louis limited their offense to one run and struck out 15 batters. For fans examining individual performances, batting production, pitching efficiency, and situational hitting, this game provides several meaningful statistics beyond the final score.
Match Overview: Cardinals 2, Reds 1
The first game of the August 17 doubleheader was a tightly controlled contest in which St. Louis did enough damage early to secure the win. Cincinnati’s pitching staff kept the Cardinals from adding another run after the first inning, but the Reds’ hitters could not overcome the two-run deficit.
| Match detail | Information |
| Match date | August 17, 2026 |
| Competition | Major League Baseball |
| Venue | Great American Ball Park |
| Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Final score | Cardinals 2, Reds 1 |
| Cardinals hits | 7 |
| Reds hits | 3 |
| Cardinals errors | 0 |
| Reds errors | 0 |
| Game duration | 2 hours, 40 minutes |
| Attendance | 20,434 |
| Winning pitcher | L. Gastelum |
| Losing pitcher | K. Emanuel |
| Save | R. O’Brien, 31st save |
The Cardinals finished with four more hits than Cincinnati and struck out 15 Reds batters. However, the most important difference was not simply the number of hits. St. Louis converted its first-inning opportunity into two runs, while Cincinnati’s offense produced only one run despite reaching base through hits and walks.
The result illustrates an important principle when evaluating baseball statistics: total hits measure how often a team records a hit, but they do not fully explain when those hits occur or how effectively a lineup converts opportunities into runs.
The figures in this article refer to the supplied ESPN game data for August 17, 2026, identified as Game 1 of a doubleheader and a makeup game from May 24.
Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats: Complete Box Score
The box score reveals how each lineup performed across nine innings. St. Louis recorded seven hits from 33 at-bats, while Cincinnati managed three hits from 30 at-bats. The Cardinals scored twice without hitting a home run, whereas the Reds’ only run came from Dane Myers’ fourth-inning homer.
Team batting comparison
| Batting statistic | St. Louis Cardinals | Cincinnati Reds |
| Runs | 2 | 1 |
| Hits | 7 | 3 |
| At-bats | 33 | 30 |
| Runs batted in | 2 | 1 |
| Home runs | 0 | 1 |
| Walks | 4 | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 9 | 15 |
| Left on base | 9 | 5 |
| Errors | 0 | 0 |
| Runners in scoring position | 1-for-13 | 0-for-3 |
The most striking difference was Cincinnati’s 15 strikeouts compared with nine for St. Louis. The Reds also finished without a hit in three opportunities with runners in scoring position. Although the Cardinals went just 1-for-13 in those situations, their first-inning double provided the two runs they ultimately needed.
St. Louis also left nine runners on base. That figure shows the victory was not the result of a completely efficient offensive performance. Instead, the Cardinals built a lead early and depended on their pitching staff to make it stand.
Cardinals batting box score
The following table highlights the principal St. Louis hitters. Player totals reflect the supplied game box score.
| Player | At-bats | Runs | Hits | RBIs | Home runs |
| J. Báez | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I. Herrera | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Walker | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Burleson | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| J. Fermín | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Winn | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B. Jordan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Pereira | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| P. Pagés | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Substitutes also appeared during the game, so the starting lineup alone does not account for all 33 team at-bats. The table focuses on the principal contributors and should be read alongside the complete team totals.
Reds batting box score
| Player | At-bats | Runs | Hits | RBIs | Home runs |
| E. De La Cruz | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S. Stewart | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T. Stephenson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| E. Suárez | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Myers | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| M. Toglia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. McLain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| R. Marte | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| G. Hayes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cincinnati’s remaining plate appearances included a pinch hitter, while defensive substitutions affected the final lineup. Dane Myers was the clear offensive standout for the Reds, recording two of the team’s three hits and driving in its only run.
The box score is especially useful when a reader wants to separate a player’s contribution from the team’s overall result. Myers produced the game’s only home run, but his effort was not enough to overcome the Cardinals’ early advantage.
How the Game Unfolded Inning by Inning
The scoring sequence explains why the final score remained so close despite the Cardinals’ advantage in hits.
| Inning | Cardinals | Reds | Key event |
| 1st | 2 | 0 | Alec Burleson hit a two-run double |
| 2nd | 0 | 0 | Both teams were held scoreless |
| 3rd | 0 | 0 | Cincinnati failed to score |
| 4th | 0 | 1 | Dane Myers hit a solo home run |
| 5th | 0 | 0 | No additional runs |
| 6th | 0 | 0 | Relief pitching limited the offense |
| 7th | 0 | 0 | Scoreless inning |
| 8th | 0 | 0 | Both teams remained off the scoreboard |
| 9th | 0 | 0 | Riley O’Brien closed out the game |
| Final | 2 | 1 | St. Louis won by one run |
First inning: Alec Burleson delivers the decisive hit
The Cardinals began the game by putting pressure on Cincinnati starter K. Emanuel. Joshua Báez and Iván Herrera reached base, creating an opportunity for the middle of the order.
Alec Burleson then doubled down the right-field line, bringing both runners home. His hit gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead before the Reds had an opportunity to establish their own offensive rhythm.
This was the game’s most important offensive sequence. Burleson’s double accounted for both Cardinals runs and ultimately separated the teams on the scoreboard.
A two-run hit can be especially valuable in a low-scoring game because it creates a margin for error. St. Louis did not need to produce a sustained series of rallies afterward. It needed its pitchers to prevent Cincinnati from catching up.
Second and third innings: Cincinnati misses its chance to respond
The Reds could not turn the early deficit into immediate pressure on the scoreboard. St. Louis kept the lineup from producing a run in either inning.
The value of these scoreless frames becomes clearer when considering the game’s final margin. Had Cincinnati scored in the second or third inning, it could have changed how both managers approached the later innings, including when to use relief pitchers.
Instead, the Cardinals retained their two-run advantage until the fourth.
Fourth inning: Dane Myers brings the Reds back into the game
Dane Myers opened Cincinnati’s scoring with a solo home run to left field. The drive traveled a reported 391 feet and cut the Cardinals’ lead to 2-1.
The home run was important for two reasons. First, it put Cincinnati on the board. Second, it demonstrated that the Reds could still produce power against Cardinals starter Q. Mathews, even while struggling to generate consistent contact.
Myers finished with two hits in four at-bats and one RBI. He was responsible for the Reds’ only run and produced two-thirds of their total hits.
Despite the breakthrough, Cincinnati could not find another scoring opportunity that resulted in a run. The remainder of the game became a test of whether the Cardinals’ bullpen could preserve its narrow lead.
Fifth through eighth innings: Relief pitchers protect the advantage
After Mathews completed four innings, St. Louis turned to its bullpen. Luis Gastelum, Gordon Graceffo, George Soriano and Ryne Stanek each contributed a scoreless inning.
Stanek allowed one hit, but the other three relievers did not allow a hit in their respective innings. Their combined work stopped Cincinnati from building momentum.
The Reds’ pitching staff also performed well after the opening innings. St. Louis did not score again, despite finishing with seven hits. This kept the result uncertain until the final inning.
Ninth inning: Riley O’Brien seals the win
Riley O’Brien entered with the Cardinals protecting a one-run lead. He struck out all three batters he faced, completing a clean inning and earning his 31st save of the season.
His performance was the final piece of St. Louis’ defensive effort. The Cardinals’ hitters had established the lead early, their starter had limited the damage, and the relief staff had prevented the Reds from tying the game.
A save does not mean the closer produced the entire victory by himself. It recognizes that he finished a qualifying close game while preserving the lead. O’Brien’s three strikeouts made his contribution particularly decisive in this matchup.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Performance Analysis
The Cardinals’ offensive success came from a small number of productive moments rather than a high-scoring display. Their most important individual performance belonged to Burleson, but other hitters helped create the early opportunity and maintain pressure on Cincinnati’s pitchers.
Alec Burleson: The decisive offensive performer
Burleson finished with two hits in four at-bats and two RBIs. Both RBIs came from his first-inning double, which established the final scoring margin.
His game can be understood through three measures:
- Two RBIs: He accounted for every St. Louis run.
- Two hits: He provided multiple successful plate appearances that helped support the team’s seven-hit total.
- 32 season doubles: His double in this game was recorded as his 32nd of the season in the supplied statistics.
The key point is that Burleson’s value was not simply the number of hits he recorded. It was the timing of his most important hit. A double with two runners on base produced more immediate scoring value than a single with no runners aboard would have done.
His season RBI total was listed at 92 in the supplied data. That broader figure gives context to his run production, although a single game should not be used to predict a player’s future performance on its own.
Jordan Walker: Consistent contact
Jordan Walker went 2-for-4 and recorded two hits without driving in a run. His contribution helped St. Louis finish with seven hits, even though the Cardinals did not add to their lead after the first inning.
Walker entered the game with a reported .286 batting average, .345 on-base percentage and .497 slugging percentage. These measures describe different aspects of offensive performance:
- Batting average measures hits per official at-bat.
- On-base percentage measures how often a player reaches base, including walks and hit-by-pitches.
- Slugging percentage measures total bases per at-bat, giving extra-base hits more weight than singles.
Walker’s two-hit performance was useful, but it did not directly change the score. This distinction matters when evaluating individual players in games where a team wins by a single run.
Iván Herrera: Reaching base and scoring
Herrera scored one run after reaching base in the opening inning. Although he did not record a hit in the game, the supplied box score credits him with three walks in two at-bats.
That combination illustrates why a hitter’s value cannot be judged from hits alone. A walk can put a runner on base, extend an inning and give the next hitter a chance to drive in a run.
Herrera’s reported season on-base percentage was .363. The figure provides useful context for his ability to reach base, but his three walks in this particular game should not be treated as a normal or guaranteed outcome.
Joshua Báez: An important baserunner
Báez did not record a hit, but he scored one of the Cardinals’ two runs. His first-inning presence on base helped set up Burleson’s two-RBI double.
The supplied game data also records that Báez was hit by a pitch from Emanuel. Reaching base without recording a hit can still be valuable, especially when the next batter produces an extra-base hit.
This is one reason a complete batting analysis should consider walks, hit-by-pitches and runs scored rather than looking only at batting average.
Masyn Winn and the supporting lineup
Masyn Winn finished with one hit in four at-bats, while Blaze Jordan and E. Pereira each recorded one hit. These contributions helped the Cardinals produce seven hits overall.
No single player other than Burleson drove in a run for St. Louis. The supporting hitters therefore contributed mainly by reaching base, recording hits and helping the offense create opportunities.
The Cardinals also left nine runners on base and went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Those figures show that the lineup did not capitalize on every chance. A stronger performance with runners in scoring position could have created a larger cushion, but the pitching staff made the early two runs sufficient.
Cincinnati Reds Player Performance Analysis
Cincinnati’s offensive output was limited, but the box score still identifies individual contributions and areas where the lineup struggled.
Dane Myers: The Reds’ leading hitter
Myers was the most productive Cincinnati hitter, recording two hits in four at-bats, one run, one RBI and one home run.
His fourth-inning home run was the only Reds run of the game. The reported 391-foot distance also makes it the most notable individual scoring play for Cincinnati.
Myers entered the game with a season RBI total of 19 in the supplied data. His performance was a clear positive for the Reds, but the team’s broader offensive problem was its inability to produce additional hits or convert baserunners into runs.
A home run can immediately change the score, but one solo shot cannot compensate for an entire lineup struggling to make consistent contact. That was the challenge Cincinnati faced in this matchup.
Spencer Stewart: A hit but no run
Stewart recorded one hit in four at-bats. His double was listed as his 24th of the season.
That extra-base hit gave Cincinnati another offensive contribution beyond Myers’ two hits. However, Stewart did not score or drive in a run, and the Reds finished with only three hits as a team.
The difference between producing a hit and producing a run is important. A double can create a scoring opportunity, but it still depends on subsequent hitters reaching base or delivering a productive out.
Elly De La Cruz: A difficult game at the plate
De La Cruz went 0-for-4 in this game. His result was part of a broader team performance in which Cincinnati struck out 15 times.
A single game is not enough to judge a player’s overall ability or season trajectory. The more useful takeaway is that the Reds’ lineup did not generate enough contact to challenge St. Louis consistently.
When several hitters fail to reach base in the same game, even a productive performance from one player can have limited impact on the final score.
The wider Reds lineup
Other Cincinnati hitters, including Tyler Stephenson, Eugenio Suárez, Michael Toglia and Matt McLain, did not record a hit in the supplied box score. Their combined results contributed to the team’s low hit total.
Cincinnati also went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. That statistic should be interpreted carefully because it reflects a small number of opportunities. It does, however, show that the Reds did not record a hit in any of their three official at-bats in those situations.
The most significant challenge for Cincinnati was generating enough offensive activity to put pressure on the Cardinals’ bullpen. Myers supplied power, but the rest of the lineup could not build a rally.
Pitching Stats: How the Cardinals Controlled the Game
Pitching was the defining factor after the first inning. St. Louis used six pitchers across nine innings, while Cincinnati used four. The Cardinals’ staff allowed one run, three hits and three walks while recording 15 strikeouts.
The Reds allowed two runs on seven hits and issued four walks. Their pitching was competitive after the first inning, but the early double proved costly.
Cardinals pitching box score
| Pitcher | Innings | Hits allowed | Runs allowed | Walks | Strikeouts |
| Q. Mathews | 4.0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| L. Gastelum | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| G. Graceffo | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| G. Soriano | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| R. Stanek | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| R. O’Brien | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Team total | 9.0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 15 |
The totals show how the Cardinals moved from starting pitching to bullpen protection. Mathews handled the opening four innings, while the relievers covered the final five without allowing another run.
Quinn Mathews: Seven strikeouts in four innings
Mathews allowed two hits and one earned run in four innings. He struck out seven batters but also issued three walks. His recorded pitch count was 95, including 55 strikes, and his ERA was listed as 3.00.
His outing combined strong strikeout production with a relatively high pitch count for four innings. The seven strikeouts show that he could finish plate appearances without relying entirely on balls put into play. However, the three walks also meant he had to work around baserunners.
Mathews’ fourth-inning home run allowed to Myers was the only run he surrendered. He did not pitch long enough to receive the win under the usual five-inning requirement for a starting pitcher in a standard nine-inning game. The victory instead went to Gastelum, who entered in relief.
This distinction is useful when reading a box score: the starting pitcher can contribute to a victory without receiving the official winning decision.
Luis Gastelum: The winning pitcher
Gastelum pitched one scoreless inning, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out two batters. His official record improved to 3-2.
His inning was important because it prevented Cincinnati from tying the game after Mathews left. In a one-run contest, even one baserunner can change the pressure on the defense, so a clean inning gave the Cardinals a stronger position heading into the later stages.
Gastelum’s win reflects the official pitching decision rather than an assertion that he was the game’s only effective pitcher. Mathews and the other relievers all played roles in keeping Cincinnati to one run.
Gordon Graceffo and George Soriano: Scoreless middle relief
Graceffo and Soriano each completed one inning without allowing a hit, a run or a walk. Graceffo recorded one strikeout, and Soriano also recorded one.
Their work kept the Reds from building a rally in the sixth and seventh innings. By recording clean innings, both relievers helped preserve the narrow lead and reduced the number of high-pressure situations the closer would face.
Ryne Stanek: One hit allowed, no runs conceded
Stanek pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one batter. Although Cincinnati managed to reach base against him, it did not score.
This is a useful example of the difference between allowing a hit and allowing a run. A pitcher can give up a base hit and still complete a successful inning if the remaining batters are retired before the runner scores.
Riley O’Brien: Three strikeouts for the save
O’Brien delivered one of the game’s strongest individual pitching performances in the ninth. He faced three batters, struck out all three and allowed no hits or walks.
He earned his 31st save of the season, according to the supplied statistics. His performance ensured that the Reds did not get a final opportunity to extend the game.
The save was particularly valuable because the Cardinals had only a one-run advantage. O’Brien’s ability to retire the side without allowing a baserunner removed the possibility of a late rally.
Reds Pitching Stats and Kent Emanuel’s Start
Cincinnati’s pitching staff had a more complicated outing. The team allowed seven hits, two earned runs and four walks while recording nine strikeouts. Importantly, both runs were scored in the first inning, and the Reds kept St. Louis scoreless for the remaining eight.
Reds pitching box score
| Pitcher | Innings | Hits allowed | Runs allowed | Walks | Strikeouts |
| K. Emanuel | 5.0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| L. Mey | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| P. Johnson | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| S. Moll | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Team total | 9.0 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
Kent Emanuel: The early deficit proved decisive
Emanuel pitched five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. He struck out four and walked three, with a reported pitch count of 96, including 60 strikes. His ERA was listed as 3.60, and he received the losing decision.
His biggest problem came in the opening inning. After the Cardinals put two runners on base, Burleson’s double brought both home. Emanuel did not allow another run during his remaining innings, but Cincinnati never erased the deficit.
The result shows why a pitcher’s overall line and the timing of individual mistakes must be evaluated together. Emanuel’s five innings were not a complete collapse. He limited the damage after the first, yet the early two-run sequence was enough to determine the game.
L. Mey: Two innings of effective relief
Mey pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. He helped keep St. Louis from extending its advantage and gave Cincinnati’s offense more time to respond.
His performance was a positive element in an otherwise narrow defeat. When a team loses a one-run game, the bullpen may still have performed well even if the overall result is disappointing.
P. Johnson and S. Moll finish the game
Johnson allowed one hit in a scoreless inning and struck out one batter. Moll then completed the ninth without allowing a hit or run, also recording one strikeout.
Together, the Reds’ relievers prevented the Cardinals from adding insurance runs. Their performance meant Cincinnati remained within striking distance throughout the late innings, although the offense could not produce the tying run.
Advanced Statistical Insights From the Match
Basic box-score totals explain what happened, but several additional measures help readers understand why the result unfolded as it did.
1. Team batting average
Batting average is calculated by dividing hits by official at-bats.
Based on the team totals supplied:
- Cardinals: 7 hits divided by 33 at-bats, or approximately .212.
- Reds: 3 hits divided by 30 at-bats, or .100.
St. Louis therefore recorded hits more frequently in this game. These are game-level averages, not season batting averages, and they should not be used to make broad claims about either team’s overall hitting ability.
2. Strikeout difference
The Cardinals struck out nine times at the plate, compared with 15 strikeouts for Cincinnati. That six-strikeout gap is one of the clearest differences in the offensive performance.
Strikeouts reduce the chance of advancing runners through a ball put into play. They do not always represent a poor plate appearance, and a strikeout with the bases empty can have less immediate impact than one with runners in scoring position. Nevertheless, Cincinnati’s total shows that its hitters had difficulty making contact against the Cardinals’ pitchers.
3. Walks and baserunners
The Cardinals drew four walks, while the Reds drew three. Both teams found ways to reach base without recording hits, but St. Louis had more hits and scored twice.
Walks can be especially valuable when followed by an extra-base hit. The opening inning demonstrates that principle: the Cardinals put runners on base and then converted the opportunity with Burleson’s double.
4. Left on base
St. Louis left nine runners on base, while Cincinnati left five. A left-on-base total indicates how many runners were stranded when an inning ended or the game concluded, according to official scoring conventions.
The Cardinals’ higher total does not mean they were less effective overall. They still scored two runs and won. It does suggest they missed opportunities to create a more comfortable lead.
The Reds left fewer runners on base partly because they generated fewer hits and had fewer opportunities to build sustained rallies.
5. Runners in scoring position
St. Louis went 1-for-13 in official at-bats with runners in scoring position, while Cincinnati went 0-for-3.
These numbers require context. St. Louis’ two-run double supplied the decisive scoring play, but the lineup did not produce a hit in most of its other opportunities. Cincinnati, meanwhile, did not record a hit in any of its three at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Because the sample sizes are small, these figures describe this game rather than proving a lasting strength or weakness for either offense.
6. Pitching efficiency and pitch counts
Mathews threw 95 pitches in four innings, while Emanuel threw 96 in five. Their totals were similar, but the number of innings completed differed.
A pitch count alone does not measure pitching quality. Strikeouts, walks, contact quality, baserunners and runs allowed all matter. Mathews’ seven strikeouts came with three walks, while Emanuel’s four strikeouts also came with three walks.
The Cardinals then received five innings of relief without allowing a run. That bullpen performance was the decisive factor in protecting the lead.
7. The value of extra-base hits
Burleson’s double produced two runs, while Myers’ home run produced one. Both were extra-base hits, but their scoring impact differed because of the baserunners present when they occurred.
This is a central lesson in baseball analysis: the value of a hit depends partly on the situation in which it happens. A solo home run and a two-run double are both significant offensive events, but the latter produced the larger immediate score change in this game.
What the Match Reveals About Both Teams
The statistics suggest different lessons for the two clubs.
What worked for St. Louis?
- The Cardinals capitalized on an early scoring opportunity.
- Burleson delivered the game’s decisive hit.
- Mathews generated seven strikeouts in four innings.
- Five relievers combined to complete the final five innings without allowing a run.
- O’Brien finished the game with three consecutive strikeouts.
The Cardinals did not need a perfect offensive performance. Their success came from scoring early and preventing Cincinnati from building a comeback.
What could Cincinnati have done better?
- Limit the damage in the first inning.
- Reduce the number of strikeouts.
- Generate more hits beyond Myers’ two-hit performance.
- Convert scoring opportunities into runs.
- Put more pressure on the Cardinals’ bullpen before the ninth inning.
These are observations about the game, not definitive judgments about the Reds’ season. A single matchup cannot establish whether a team has a long-term weakness, but it can show which factors determined one particular result.
Historical and Series Context
The supplied series information identifies this game as the first game of a doubleheader and a makeup for a previously scheduled May 24 matchup. It should therefore be distinguished from the second game played on August 17.
The two games had different outcomes. The first ended with St. Louis winning 2-1, while the second ended with Cincinnati winning 6-5 in 10 innings. Those results illustrate why a doubleheader should not be treated as one combined game when reviewing player statistics.
The supplied series record also lists additional games on August 19 and August 20. Those games have separate box scores and individual performances. They should not be mixed into the August 17 opener’s batting or pitching totals.
For readers reviewing the original record, the most direct reference is the ESPN game box score, which identifies the game by its ESPN game ID. Checking the specific game page is important when a team plays twice on the same date, because separate games may appear under similar team names and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals game on August 17, 2026?
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Cardinals scored both runs in the first inning and protected their lead for the remainder of the game.
2. Which player had the most important offensive performance?
Alec Burleson was the Cardinals’ key offensive performer. He recorded two hits and drove in both St. Louis runs with a first-inning double. Dane Myers was Cincinnati’s leading hitter, collecting two hits and hitting the game’s only home run.
3. How many strikeouts did the Cardinals record?
The Cardinals’ pitching staff recorded 15 strikeouts over nine innings. Quinn Mathews led the staff with seven strikeouts in four innings, while Riley O’Brien struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth.
4. Who was the winning pitcher, and who earned the save?
Luis Gastelum received the winning decision after pitching one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Riley O’Brien earned his 31st save after pitching a perfect ninth inning and striking out the side. Kent Emanuel received the losing decision for Cincinnati.
5. How many hits did each team record?
The Cardinals recorded seven hits, while the Reds managed three. St. Louis finished with two runs and no errors, compared with Cincinnati’s one run and no errors.
6. Why did Cincinnati lose despite keeping the game close?
Cincinnati’s offense struggled to produce consistent contact, striking out 15 times and going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Myers’ solo home run narrowed the deficit, but the Reds could not score again against the Cardinals’ bullpen.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats show how an early offensive breakthrough and disciplined relief pitching can decide a close baseball game. St. Louis won 2-1 after Alec Burleson delivered a two-run double in the first inning, giving his team the only lead it needed.
Burleson’s two RBIs were the defining offensive contribution for the Cardinals, while Dane Myers supplied Cincinnati’s only run with a solo home run. Quinn Mathews recorded seven strikeouts over four innings, and the Cardinals’ bullpen completed the final five innings without allowing another run. Riley O’Brien then secured the victory with three strikeouts in the ninth.
The team statistics also reveal opportunities that both sides left unused. St. Louis stranded nine runners and went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Cincinnati struck out 15 times and managed only three hits. Despite those missed opportunities, the Cardinals made their early scoring count.
Ultimately, the game was decided by the combination of timely hitting, effective relief work and Cincinnati’s inability to mount a late comeback. Reviewing the individual batting lines alongside the pitching totals provides a more complete understanding of the 2-1 result than the final score alone.
