Nathan Church’s Big Blast Leads St. Louis Cardinals Over Marlins 5-3
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Nathan Church #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
(Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images A fiery Dustin May had a solid start and JJ Wetherholt continued his on-base assault while Nathan Church flexed unexpected power as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins Tuesday night. It only took 4 pitches before JJ Wetherholt was on base as he ripped a 1st inning double to start the game.
After Ivan Herrera struck out, Alec Burleson picked him up with a single to center that scored Wetherholt making i 1-0 Cardinals. The Miami Marlins responded in the bottom of the 1st inning when Jakob Marsee hit a home run that hit the foam padding above the right field wall which was ruled a home run after an umpires review. Honorable mention goes to Jordan Walker, though, as he rifled the ball in from right field that would have nailed Marsee at third base if the umps hadn’t ruled the ball a home run.
The Cardinals would score again in the top of the 3rd inning when JJ Wetherholt walked and then advanced to third on a hit-and-run from Ivan Herrera. He would then score as his speed forced an errant throw by Connor Narby which sailed above the catcher making it 2-1 Cardinals. St.
Louis would extend the lead in the top of the 4th inning when Masyn Winn singled and scored on a long blast by Nathan Church making it 4-1 Cardinals. Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman helped the Cardinals add to their lead in the top of the 5th inning as Burleson hammered a line drive to the right-center field wall for a double. Nolan Gorman then went the other way on a 2-strike count dumping a single into left field scoring Burleson making it 5-1 St.