In a move that looks risky, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny lifted starting pitcher Mike Leake after six innings in which he struck out 11 batters, choosing to hand the game over to the bullpen for the final nine outs. The move did net the Cardinals three runs as pinch hitter Matt Adams doubled to the wall in center to drive in two and Aledmys Diaz followed with a triple to give them a 6-1 lead after six.
Leake had thrown just 88 pitches through six innings and was one strikeout away from his career high. With runners on first and second and one out in the sixth, Matheny sent up Michael McKenry to pinch hit for Leake, who a single and a walk in his two plate appearances and came into the game hitting a pitcher-respectable .