SAN FRANCISCO — Not even a five-run lead was enough escape velocity for the Cardinals to avoid the gravitation pull of the games they know so well and the turbulence they often encounter.
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Cardinals right fielder Joshua Baez scores ahead of the throw to Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh during the second inning of a game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero and columnist Lynn Worthy dive into Bernal and Hjerpe's late-season performances as well as the impact infielder Thomas Saggese has had since being recalled.
Photos: Cardinals blow five-run lead as Giants finish sweep
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman Ramon Urias (29) takes the throw too late to catch San Francisco Giants infielder Christian Koss (50) as he steals second base during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals pitcher Justin Bruihl (47) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox (53) tries to throw out ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (not pictured) at first base on a bunt play during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox (53) tries to throw out ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (not pictured) at first base on a bunt play during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) takes the throw from the catcher in time to tag out San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox (53) as he attempts to steal second base during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal (13) follows the flight of his three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals right fielder Joshua Baez (22) slides safely into second with a double as San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox (53) takes the late relay during the second inning at Oracle Park. Umpire is James Hoye. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal (13) connects for a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Tristan Beck (43) delivers a pitch against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell (46) delivers a pitch against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Turner Hill (52) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox (left) awaits his turn at bat against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert scores on a single by Bryce Eldridge during the first inning as Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal awaits the throw Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell (46) delivers a pitch against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal (13) celebrates his three-run home run with teammates Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera during the third inning of a game against the Giants on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Cardinals right fielder Joshua Baez scores ahead of the throw to Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh during the second inning of a game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Wilkinson (71) delivers a pitch against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals pitcher Cade Winquest (63) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals center fielder Nathan Church (27) nearly collides with second baseman Jose Fermin (15) while making the catch of a shallow popup by San Francisco Giants shortstop Christian Koss during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge (8) and center fielder Jonah Cox (53) embrace after scoring the tying runs against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge (8) and center fielder Jonah Cox (53) embrace after scoring the tying runs against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal (13) and pitcher Cade Winquest (63) confer during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals pitcher George Soriano (65) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello (right) welcomes Jung Hoo Lee (51) back to the dugout after he scored against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Trent Harris (68) delivers a pitch against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Shay Whitcomb (13) connects for an RBI double against the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants players celebrate their 7-6 victory over the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Shay Whitcomb (13) gets doused with a sports drink following a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Cardinals at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
