August 7th, 2024
Joe Harris
ST. LOUIS -- Mired in a skid since the All-Star break, the Cardinals needed a spark. They got it from an unlikely source.
Victor Scott II's first career home run ignited a four-run rally in the second inning as the Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.
Scott, St. Louis' No. 3 prospect who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday after Michael Siani landed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, hammered a Jeffrey Springs' fastball over the right-field wall and into the Cardinals’ bullpen to tie the game at 2. Scott entered the game hitting just .081 with two career RBIs.
“I started to question it as [right fielder Josh Lowe] started to kind of approach the wall,” Scott said. “I was like, ‘please no, please no.’ And then I end up seeing it go over the wall and I was like, 'this is awesome.'”
Scott’s parents were in attendance, making the accomplishment even more special. He said the ball, when he gets it, will go to them.
“It definitely helps a lot with confidence to know that my work is paying off, and that the routine I have built is starting to show,” Scott said.
Scott’s blast woke up a Cardinals offense that had gone 16 innings since scoring a run. Masyn Winn was hit by Springs’ next pitch and Tommy Pham then ambushed the first pitch he saw for a two-run homer to left to give the Cardinals the lead. It was Pham's second homer since being acquired by the Cardinals in a trade on July 29.
“It was a pretty good jolt,” manager Oliver Marmol said of Scott’s homer. “I mean, you're not expecting him to go left-on-left homer there. That's just the reality of it.
"You're expecting him to take a good at-bat and for him to do that, I mean, the dugout erupted. And then Pham to come up right after, man on, and hit another one was fun to watch, as well.”
A two-run homer by Brandon Lowe in the first were the only runs Sonny Gray allowed in a seven-inning outing. Gray (11-6) gave up four hits, struck out six and walked one. Ryan Helsley recorded his 35th save, which leads the Majors.
It was the fourth time in his last five starts that Gray went seven innings. It was his 300th career appearance.
“I needed that tonight,” Gray said of the homers. “I mean, I just didn't have a ton of energy going into it, a little sluggish. And then once we responded the way we did, I felt like it was up to me at that point to show up and for us to go win the game.”
Scott’s jolt erased a rather forgettable start to the game for the Cardinals.
After walking Yandy Díaz, Gray surrendered the two-run homer to Lowe as the Rays took a 2-0 lead just two batters into the game. Christopher Morel then reached on a Winn fielding error, but Gray was able to escape the frame without further damage.
Winn led off the bottom of the first with a double and walks to Willson Contreras and Paul Goldschmidt loaded the bases, but Nolan Arenado grounded into a double play to end the frame drawing noticeable groans from the 32,922 in attendance.
Those groans quickly turned into cheers with the power surge.
Scott began the season on the Major League club and struggled with an .085 average in 20 games before being sent back to Memphis. During that time, he reworked his swing.
He credits his dancing ability with being able to make the adjustments.
“I like to consider myself a good dancer,” Scott said. “So, with being a good dancer, [you have rhythm] and I feel like hitting is all about rhythm. So, with that move is just more of a [rhythm], and it feels like I'm almost dancing with the pitcher. So, it helps me out with my timing, adjustability, all those good things.”
While Scott’s favorite type of dance is hip hop, he certainly did a nice waltz around the bases on Tuesday.
“It was almost like surreal,” Scott said. “I always do like this little skip around third and as I was doing it, I was like, 'please don't trip. That would be so bad.'”
