Iván Herrera hit a tying two-run homer in the decisive fifth inning before St. Louis scored the go-ahead run on San Francisco second baseman Casey Schmitt’s error and Jordan Walker added an RBI groundout, sending the Cardinals past the Giants 6-5 on Monday night.
Michael McGreevy (8-3) allowed five runs on six hits over five innings. The right-hander came in with an 11-inning scoreless streak, but that ended when he surrendered a leadoff home run to Heliot Ramos to begin his outing.
JoJo Romero, the fifth St. Louis pitcher, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save.
José Fermín doubled twice and drove in a run for the Cardinals. And once they went ahead 5-4, starter Justin Verlander’s night was done.
Rafael Devers homered leading off the Giants’ half of the fifth, while Ramos added a two-run single in the fourth after his 19th home run earlier.
Verlander (3-11) was tagged for six runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings as San Francisco kicked off a season-ending six-game homestand. He came in with a 0.36 ERA over his previous four starts.
Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge made his Oracle Park debut as designated hitter a week after being promoted from Triple-A Sacramento. He became the youngest position player for the Giants to play in their home ballpark at 20 years, 337 days old and youngest since pitcher Madison Bumgarner pinch hit at 20 and 330 days on June 27, 2010.
Up next
RHP Andre Pallante (6-14, 5.23 ERA) pitches the middle game Tuesday night for St. Louis opposite Giants RHP Logan Webb (14-11, 3.27).
First pitch at Oracle Park is set for 8:45 with pregame coverage by Ameren Total Access beginning at 7:50. Tuesday’s game can be heard on KTLO AM 1240.
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