The June 20 matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants marks the first time Major League Baseball conducted a game at Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States. It’s a tribute to the Negro Leagues, whose records were integrated into the MLB historical data this year.
The game also occurred a day after Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the official end of slavery in the Union. While history provides an invaluable back story, both teams delivered a fantastic show, with the Cardinals edging out the Giants 6-5.
That's a Rickwood Winner!!#ForTheLou x #MLBatRickwood pic.twitter.com/BKdOMIhmhG
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 21, 2024
Alabama native Brendan Donovan was sensational while playing in his home state, earning three hits and three RBIs in four at-bats. He connected on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
But in the top of the third inning, Heliot Ramos leveled the count with a three-run home run. The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the third when a Nolan Gorman sacrifice fly brought Masyn Winn safely home for a 4-3 tally. It’s Gorman’s second sacrifice fly of the night, both leading to runs by Winn.
Donovan extended the Cardinals’ lead to 6-3 after his line-drive single sent Alec Burleson across home plate. However, the Giants weren’t done as they scored two runs in the top of the sixth, trimming the deficit to one.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Giants had one final shot to win or extend the game. They had life after Trenton Brooks earned a base on balls, and Patrick Bailey’s single put two Giants players on base. However, Matt Chapman struck out to end the game.
-Lance Fernandez