ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Matthew Liberatore didn’t enable a run in a career-best eight innings, Andrew Knizner and Tommy Edman homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 on Thursday night time.

St. Louis received two of three within the collection with Tampa Bay, the AL wild-card chief.

Liberatore (2-4) was a part of a January 2020 commerce between Tampa Bay and St. Louis that despatched 2023 All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Rays. In his second begin since being known as up from Triple-A Memphis, Liberatore gave up two hits and had a career-high seven strikeouts as he bids for a fulltime rotation spot.

“That was a phenomenal outing,” Cardinals supervisor Oliver Marmol mentioned. “It was fun to watch. Filled up the zone with everything.”

The Cardinals positioned Liberatore on a power program and it paid off. His fastball common went from 93 mph in his earlier begin to 95 on Thursday,

“All the strength coaches and all the trainers here have done an outstanding job helping me out,” Liberatore mentioned. “Now it’s about being consistent with it.”

PHOTOS: Liberatore throws 8 scoreless innings within the Cardinals' 5-2 victory over the Rays

Liberatore retired his remaining 14 batters, and acquired a standing ovation from a big group of Cardinals‘ followers behind the St. Louis dugout strolling off the sphere after the eighth inning. He picked Wander Franco off second within the fourth after a leadoff single, the final hit the lefty gave up.

The Rays scored twice on two hits, together with Franco’s RBI triple, in opposition to JoJo Romero within the ninth. Tampa Bay is 4-11 at dwelling since beginning the season 34-10 there.

Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell (2-3), not too long ago inserted into the rotation, allowed three runs and 7 hits over six innings.

“I thought Littell was really good,” Rays supervisor Kevin Cash mentioned. “So impressed and encouraged with what he’s continuing to do.”

The Rays dropped three recreation behind AL East-leading Baltimore.

Knizner put the Cardinals up 2-0 in fourth with a two-run shot.

Edman had a ninth-inning solo drive.

St. Louis went forward 3-0 when Nolan Arenado, who was working on the pitch, scored from first base on Alec Burleson’s ground-ball single to heart.

“What Nolan did there was awesome,” Marmol mentioned. “I mean, probably one of my favorite plays of the year.”

Cash mentioned every little thing went proper for St. Louis and every little thing went flawed for the Rays on the play.

“We were just a tick out of position, Arenado got a running head start,” Cash mentioned. “(Center fielder) Jose (Siri) was playing deep. By the time he gets rid of the ball and puts right on home plate, Arenado is coming around. Unfortunate how it unfolded.”

Arozarena singled off Liberatore within the first, stole second and third, however was left stranded after Harold Ramírez was thrown out at first by the left-hander after taking a comebacker off the leg.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: LF Tyler O’Neill (left knee tightness) went 0 for 4 after lacking two video games. … RHP Jake Woodford (proper shoulder pressure) struck out two and allowed a two-run homer for Double-A Springfield in opposition to San Antonio. RHP Ryan Helsley (proper forearm pressure) additionally gave up a two-run homer in a single inning in the identical recreation.

Rays: Tyler Glasnow (again spasms) had the day without work after enjoying catch for 3 minutes Wednesday and is scheduled to throw on Friday. Cash hasn’t dominated out Glasnow beginning Saturday in opposition to Cleveland however added the staff could have protection if the right-hander must be scratched.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (3-6) can be on the lookout for his 199th profession win Friday night time in opposition to Kansas City.

Rays: RHP Adam Civale (5-3), acquired from Cleveland on the commerce deadline, will face his previous staff Friday night time in his second begin and first at dwelling for Tampa Bay. The Guardians will begin RHP Xzavion Curry (3-1).

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