St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright was a nightmare for Atlanta Braves hitters as he pitched a complete game with some nasty curveballs.
Ageless-wonder Adam Wainwright was at it again on Sunday.
Facing the Braves in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, Wainwright made life impossible for batters as he pitched a complete game.
Among Wainwright’s 111 pitches in seven-innings were some absolutely brutal curveballs.
Adam Wainwright, Bowel Locking 75mph Curveball. 💩 pic.twitter.com/FHIv9i7qSk
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 20, 2021
Adam Wainwright, Pretty 74mph Curveball...Bend the Knee. 🦵👑 pic.twitter.com/F82jDryMoT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 20, 2021
The father of five certainly made the most of his Father’s Day appearance. He finished with a season-high 11 strikeouts while allowing three hits and one run. He was hitless through four innings.
Wainwright hasn’t slowed down in his 16th year in the majors. He is 5-5 with an ERA of 3.73. Despite his age, he’s proving more than capable of putting in lengthy starts, going seven innings in seven of his last 11. He’s now won three starts in a row, remaining a steadying presence in the Cardinals’ rotation.
Adam Wainwright’s curveballs put Braves batters on their knees
Since Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina have been one of the most enduring batteries in MLB history, it only fits the latter came through with his own highlight.
Yadi cut down Abraham Almonte trying to steal second with a throw from his knees (78.7 mph) faster than Adam Wainwright's pitch to home (74.7 mph)
— Zach Silver (@zachsilver) June 20, 2021
From his knees. pic.twitter.com/TxPJEwQ0fa
The Cardinals won easily 9-1 with home runs from Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. The two teams will go at it again on Sunday night with another seven-inning bout featuring Drew Smyly and Kwang Hyun Kim on the mound.
St. Louis and Atlanta will wrap up their series with the night game. The Braves took the first two outings in St. Louis, but Wainwright game the Cardinals hope of splitting the series.
The Cardinals are 36-35 and in fourth place in the NL Central. They’re trying to catch the Reds.
The Braves are also in fourth place in the NL East, though they’re sitting under .500 with a 32-36 record.