Cardinals Rally Past Yankees in Wild 13-7 Comeback Win

NEW YORK — The St. Louis Cardinals erased a six-run deficit and exploded for seven runs in the eighth inning to stun the New York Yankees 13-7 on Monday night.

Game at a Glance

How It Happened: Inning-by-Inning Breakdown

1. Early Innings – Quiet Start

• Both starting pitchers settled in.
• Michael McGreevy (Cardinals) went 4⅓ innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits.
• Schlittler (Yankees) lasted only 3 innings — his second-shortest start of the season — giving up 4 runs on 4 hits.

2. 7th Inning – Yankees Take the Lead

• Ryan McMahon and José Caballero (Panama) hit back-to-back home runs off Ryne Stanek.
• Then, Luis García Jr. (new Yankee) crushed a two-run homer off George Soriano (Dominican Republic).
• Yankees lead 7-6.

3. 8th Inning – Cardinals Explode for 7 Runs!

This is where the game flipped completely:

1. Nathan Church hits a three-run home run → Cardinals lead 9-7.
2. Jimmie Crooks adds a two-run homer → 11-7.
3. José Fermín (Dominican Republic) drives in a run with a double.
4. Church follows with an RBI single → 13-7.
5. Alec Burleson caps it with his third two-run homer of the night — a towering shot to the second deck in right field!

Burleson finished with 3 two-run homers = 6 RBIs in one game!

4. 9th Inning – Graceffo Shuts the Door

• Gordon Graceffo retires the final six Yankees batters in a row.
• Earns the win, improving to 7-1 on the season.

Star Performers

St. Louis Cardinals

• Alec Burleson – 3 HR, 6 RBI (all two-run shots!)
• Nathan Church – 1 HR (3-run), 1 RBI single → 4 RBI total
• Jimmie Crooks – 1 HR (2-run)
• José Fermín – RBI double
• Gordon Graceffo – 2 perfect innings, 6 straight outs, Win (7-1)

New York Yankees

• Ryan McMahon – Solo HR (7th)
• José Caballero – Solo HR (7th)
• Luis García Jr. – 2-run HR (7th, go-ahead)
• Schlittler – 3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H (short start)

Important Points to Remember

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Cardinals overcame a 6-run deficit — one of the biggest comebacks of the season.
• Seven runs in the 8th inning changed everything.
• Alec Burleson had a career-type night: 3 homers, all two-run shots.
• Gordon Graceffo was lights out in relief — 6 up, 6 down.
• Yankees’ bullpen collapsed late, turning a lead into a blowout loss.

Summary

The St. Louis Cardinals pulled off a stunning comeback in New York, turning a 7-6 deficit into a 13-7 victory thanks to a historic 8th inning. Alec Burleson was the undisputed star, hitting three two-run home runs — including a massive shot to the upper deck. The Cardinals scored seven runs in one inning, fueled by homers from Nathan Church and Jimmie Crooks, plus key hits from José Fermín and Church again. Gordon Graceffo locked it down with two perfect innings for his 7th win. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ bullpen melted down after taking the lead, wasting strong moments from McMahon, Caballero, and newcomer Luis García Jr. It was a night of power, drama, and resilience — exactly what baseball fans love.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. What does "two-run homer" mean?

A home run hit when one runner is already on base — so two runs score (the batter + the runner).

2. Why is the 8th inning such a big deal?

It’s late in the game. Scoring 7 runs in one inning when you’re down by 1 is extremely rare and usually decides the game.

3. Who is Gordon Graceffo and why does "7-1" matter?

He’s a Cardinals relief pitcher. 7-1 means he has 7 wins and 1 loss this season — a very strong record.

4. What’s an "RBI"?

Run Batted In — when a batter’s hit (or walk, sacrifice, etc.) allows a teammate to score. Burleson had 6 RBIs in this game alone!

5. Did the Yankees make any big mistakes?

Yes. Their bullpen gave up 7 runs in the 8th, and Schlittler (starter) lasted only 3 innings — putting too much pressure on relievers too early.

Final Thought: Baseball is a game of momentum. One swing — or seven — can flip everything. The Cardinals didn’t just win; they roared back with authority.