O'Neill homers again, Cards send D'backs to 13th loss in row

PHOENIX (AP) — Tyler O'Neill can do no wrong for the St. Louis Cardinals these days.

On the other side of the field, the Arizona Diamondbacks can't seem to do anything right.

O'Neill homered for a third straight game, Yadier Molina had three RBIs and the Cardinals won 7-4 on Saturday night over the Diamondbacks, who have lost 13 games in a row.

The Diamondbacks are stuck in their longest losing streak since dropping a franchise-record 14 consecutive games in 2004. Arizona lost 111 games that season, and this year is quickly trending in a similar direction. The team’s 18-35 record is the worst in the National League.

O'Neill has been on a roll since Thursday, when he returned from a stint on the 10-day injured list due to a fracture in his left middle finger. The 25-year-old outfielder added two doubles and finished with three RBIs. He also made a diving catch in left that saved a run in the fourth inning, which impressed St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright.

“We’ve seen him do that a bunch,” Wainwright said. “You wouldn’t think a guy as muscle bound as him could do so many things athletically. You wouldn’t know he was such an incredible athlete.”

Said Cardinals manager Mike Shildt: “That's the kind of player he is. He can beat you on both sides of the baseball.”

Trailing by three in the ninth, the Diamondbacks put their first two batters on base, bringing the tying run to the plate. Cardinals closer Alex Reyes retired Eduardo Escobar on a flyout and David Peralta and Christian Walker on strikeouts to earn his 15th save.

“We’re in every game. We’re right there,” Arizona catcher Stephen Vogt said. “Tying run at the plate, winning run at the plate. One hit, one pitch away from winning these games. We’re frustrated, we’re...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/O-Neill-homers-again-Cards-send-D-backs-to-13th-16213200.php