The St. Louis Cardinals were up 2-0 with two outs and two strikes in the 9th inning against the New York Mets. They wound up losing 5-2.
And since I am nothing if not petty, I’d like you to join me in enjoying how it happened. First, a Nolan Arenado error on what would’ve ended the game:
A throwing error from Nolan Arenado gives the Mets a run and life in the 9th pic.twitter.com/qJNfA5wMnR
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 26, 2022
Then, after a Jeff McNeil double put runners at second and third, Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos momentarily forgot to cover first base (game-tying run), and then forgot that the runner at second might also try to score (game-losing run). After you take it in, I beg you to watch Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in this video:
OH MY GOODNESS!
THE NEW YORK METS!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/P1AAY5MUF2
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 26, 2022
Here’s how Gallegos explained his failure after the game, via Cardinals.com:
“It was hard contact, and it didn’t work as he wanted it to work,” Gallegos said through bullpen catcher/interpreter Kleininger Teran. “The second [Smith] hit it, I thought it was a foul ball, but the ball bounced off first and that’s when he reacted. But I am going to keep working and trying to get better for next time.”
Off balance from getting to the bag late and stunned by the series of events, Gallegos fired home late as McNeil scored the game’s go-ahead run.
“After I stepped on the base, I didn’t have the good balance to throw the ball to home plate, so that’s why it took so long,” Gallegos said. “Couple of ground balls, but it didn’t work. But I know our defense is one of the best and they are always there to help. It’s a hard night, but I will get better from this.”
Oh, and after all that, Brandon Nimmo provided the exclamation point on the very next pitch:
BRANDON NIMMO'S FIRST-PITCH SWINGING FOR A 2-RUN HOMER!!!!! pic.twitter.com/6jkMaFe4uF
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 26, 2022
Ah, delicious SCardenfreude to start off your day. I have a new pep in my step.