The Philadelphia Phillies’ road trip hit another snag Friday night as their bats went cold in a 2–0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. While Phillies ace Aaron Nola battled through five innings, the St. Louis pitching staff—anchored by a masterful performance from starter Andre Pallante—kept Philadelphia off the scoreboard and in a growing offensive slump.
A Night Dominated by Cardinals Pitching
Right-hander Andre Pallante (2–0) delivered seven dominant innings, silencing the Phillies’ offense by allowing just two singles while striking out four and issuing two walks. With sharp command and timely pitches, Pallante dictated the tempo from the mound, neutralizing Philadelphia’s hitters inning after inning.
His efficiency was complemented by solid relief work from Phil Maton, who breezed through the eighth, and closer Ryan Helsley, who pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth to notch his second save of the season. The combined effort secured St. Louis’ first shutout of the 2025 campaign.
Breakout Game for Rookie Catcher Yohel Pozo
While the Cardinals’ pitching was the story of the night, it was a surprise contribution on offense that helped tip the scales. Rookie catcher Yohel Pozo, recently called up and making only his second appearance with the Cardinals, entered the game early as an injury replacement. Shortstop Masyn Winn exited with lower back spasms in the second inning, prompting a shuffle in the Cardinals’ infield. Pedro Pagés moved from catcher to second base, and Thomas Saggese slid over to shortstop.
Pozo made the most of the opportunity. He went 3-for-4 at the plate, tying a career high for hits in a single game—a mark he hadn’t reached since his 2021 stint with the Texas Rangers. His key contribution came in the fifth inning when he lashed a double into the left-field corner, scoring Saggese all the way from first base to give St. Louis a 1–0 lead.
Later that inning, Nola momentarily lost command, walking Nolan Arenado and Alec Burleson back-to-back with the bases loaded, forcing in Pozo for the game’s only other run.
Aaron Nola’s Mixed Outing
Aaron Nola (0–3) continued his early-season struggles, despite recording seven strikeouts in five innings. The veteran right-hander scattered seven hits and allowed two earned runs, but an unusually high walk total—four on the night—proved costly. That stat was particularly glaring considering he had issued only one free pass across his previous two starts combined.
Nola had previously been dominant against the Cardinals, boasting a 4–0 record in five starts against them since the 2022 National League Wild Card series. But on this night, control issues and untimely hits from the Cardinals’ lineup kept him from finding that same rhythm.
A Tough Stretch for the Phillies’ Offense
The shutout marked Philadelphia’s third loss in their last four games and underscored a troubling trend at the plate. Over their last 17 innings, the Phillies have managed to score just one run. On Friday, the team was held to only three hits, and the inability to capitalize on rare scoring chances proved frustrating.
One such opportunity came in the fifth inning, when Kyle Schwarber reached second base after a stolen base attempt and an errant throw. With two outs and the tying run in scoring position, Bryson Stott stepped to the plate. But Pallante won the battle, striking Stott out on a high fastball to end the threat.
Defensive Adjustments and Standouts
The Cardinals’ makeshift infield performed admirably following Winn’s exit. Thomas Saggese not only filled in capably at shortstop but also sparked the offense with a pair of hits, including the run scored on Pozo’s RBI double.
Meanwhile, the Phillies saw a brief flash of aggressiveness on the bases with Schwarber’s swipe in the first inning, but the offense as a whole lacked its usual spark.
What’s Next for the Series
The Phillies will look to bounce back in Game 2 of the series on Saturday night. Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (0–0, 4.09 ERA) is set to take the mound for Philadelphia, while the Cardinals will counter with right-hander Miles Mikolas (0–1, 11.25 ERA), who is aiming to rebound from a rough start to the season.
With the Phillies’ offense in a rut, all eyes will be on whether they can jump-start their lineup and find some momentum as they approach the heart of their road schedule.
