CHICAGO — The St. Louis Cardinals snapped out of their June slump with a commanding 12-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, June 17, 2025, at Guaranteed Rate Field. Fueled by Brendan Donovan’s four-hit masterpiece and Ivan Herrera’s four-RBI outburst, the Cardinals unleashed a 13-hit barrage to kick off their three-game series in style, halting a skid that had seen them lose seven of their last eight games.
After a dismal 4-10 stretch in June, the Cardinals found their spark against a struggling White Sox team (23-50), who dropped their sixth straight game. St. Louis erupted for runs in six different innings, with a five-run second inning setting the tone. The offensive explosion provided ample support for starter Matthew Liberatore, who ended his personal three-game losing streak with a solid six-inning performance.
Brendan Donovan, batting leadoff, was the catalyst, going 4-for-4 with three singles, a double, one RBI, and two runs scored. His scorching night raised his season average to .323, marking his 11th game of 2025 with three or more hits. “We needed this one,” Donovan said postgame. “It felt good to get the bats going and give Matt [Liberatore] some breathing room.”
Catcher Ivan Herrera stole the show with a pair of two-run singles, driving in four runs to anchor the Cardinals’ attack. He nearly added a fifth RBI, but White Sox center fielder Michael A. Taylor made a spectacular leaping catch to rob Herrera of a home run in the fifth. “I thought I had it,” Herrera said with a grin. “But I’ll take the four RBIs and the win.”
Alec Burleson chipped in with three hits, including his sixth home run of the season, and two RBIs. The Cardinals’ depth shone through as Victor Scott II capped the rout with a two-run homer off infielder-turned-pitcher Vinny Capra in the ninth, his third of 2025.
Matthew Liberatore (1-6) delivered his best start of the season, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. The left-hander, who had lost all six of his previous road starts, found his rhythm, leaning on a sharp slider to keep Chicago’s lineup off balance. “It’s huge to have the bats back me up like that,” Liberatore said. “I just focused on attacking the zone.”
The bullpen closed the door efficiently. Riley O’Brien tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, while Andre Granillo worked a perfect ninth to seal the 12-2 blowout.
Willson Contreras provided a highlight in the fifth, stealing home during a double-steal attempt as Nolan Arenado drew a walk. Initially called out, the play was overturned after a successful Cardinals challenge, adding flair to the rout.
Despite homers from Burleson and Scott, the Cardinals remain the only National League team without a player hitting 10 or more home runs in 2025, a stark contrast to the 38 NL players who have reached double digits.
Donovan’s Dominance: Donovan’s four-hit night was his third such performance in June, solidifying his role as a sparkplug atop the lineup. His .323 average ranks among the NL’s elite.
With two games left in the series, the Cardinals aim to carry their momentum forward, while the White Sox search for answers. For now, Donovan and Herrera have given St. Louis fans reason to believe the June swoon is over—and a playoff push is back on the horizon.