Baseball
Baseball
Locklear’s Surprise Start Powers Diamondbacks Past Cardinals
Tyler Locklear, a last-minute addition to the lineup, delivered a pivotal two-run home run and an RBI single, propelling the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 10-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon. The contest at Busch Stadium was a makeup game, originally postponed by weather on June 25. Locklear stepped in for Ketel Marte, who was scratched due to back stiffness, and made his presence felt early and often.
The Cardinals initially seized control in the first inning. JJ Wetherholt led off with an infield single, followed by Jordan Walker’s double that scored Wetherholt. Walker, fresh off a Home Run Derby win, was met with a warm reception from the home crowd. Alec Burleson then singled, moving Walker to third, before Lars Nootbaar singled to plate Walker, giving St. Louis an early 2-0 advantage.
However, the Diamondbacks’ offense, particularly Locklear, began to chip away. Locklear’s go-ahead two-run blast into the left-field corner marked his first home run of the 2026 season. He also notched a double in the second inning and an RBI single in the eighth, contributing to a five-run rally that solidified Arizona’s lead. Manager Torey Lovullo praised Locklear’s readiness, noting the challenge of transitioning to a starting role just an hour before game time.
Despite a shaky start where he surrendered two runs before recording an out in the first, Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt settled down to complete six innings. For the Cardinals, starting pitcher Michael McGreevy, typically known for inducing ground balls, faced a Diamondbacks lineup making frequent hard contact. The St. Louis bullpen struggled as the game progressed. Even former Cardinal Nolan Arenado, entering as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, received a standing ovation and went 2-for-2 with two RBIs for Arizona.
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