Jordan Walker Hits 15th Homer, But Cardinals lose to Reds in 11 Innings

Roundtable Sports' John Denton discusses the odd way the Cardinals lost 7-6 in 11 innings to the Reds -- on a rare underthrow by Gold Glove shortstop Masyn Winn. The result of Jordan Walker’s sixth-inning at bat – a 427-foot home run that left the bat at a scorching 112. 1 mph – was certainly dynamic, but it was the process in getting to that point that spoke volumes about the 24-year-old slugger’s massive improvement in 2026 for the Cardinals .

After initially falling down 0-2 in the count, Walker first fouled off three consecutive pitches to stay alive in the at bat. Then, after laying off an outside pitch – always a problem area in the past – Walker dodged an up-and-in pitch and then showed great restraint by laying off a low sweeper in the heart of the plate. Then, when Chase Petty had to come back across the plate, Walker punished a 95-mph sinker over the wall in left Walker’s homer got the Cardinals within one in the sixth inning, and as it turns out, he was just getting started in the game.

With the Cardinals down to their Walker The 6-foot-6, 250-pound slugger, who turned 24 years old on Friday, also singled in a run in the top of the ninth with the Cardinals down to what could have been their final out. Now Walk it out! 💣 pic.

twitter. com/XdYVMhi6UI — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 24, 2026 However, after thumping the Reds in Game 1 in their most lopsided victory of the season , the Cardinals were unable to score in the 10th and 11th innings and lost 7-6 to the Reds when Masyn Winn’s throw home bounced and Spencer Steer slid in ahead of the tag by Yohel Pozo.