ST. LOUIS -- Despite spending the weekend surrendering leads and restructuring management, the Cardinals appeared rejuvenated on Sunday afternoon.
In his first game as interim manager, Mike Shildt fielded a club that fought through tough innings, made pitches in critical spots and chained together rallies in a 6-4 victory over the Reds in the series finale at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals players learned of the dismissal of manager Mike Matheny and hitting coaches John Mabry and Bill Mueller late Saturday night. There was a sense of shock in the clubhouse on Sunday morning, but also a realization: there was a game to be played, and the slate was clean.