Photos: Cardinals stun Athletics in ninth inning to take series finale
Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (16) follows through on his RBI single during the sixth inning of a game against the Athletics on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif.
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) is hit by a pitch from the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) makes a catch during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates his solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) celebrates getting the final out against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien (61) celebrates getting the final out against the Athletics on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif.
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) is interviewed by a television reporter following a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero (59) delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) returns to the dugout after making a pitching change against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Jack Perkins (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, center, is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the go-ahead run during the ninth inning against the Athletics on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif.
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Joel Kuhnel (47) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iv‡n Herrera (48) follows through on his RBI single against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) is hit by a pitch from the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) runs out to take his place on the field after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) throws wildly to first base on a ground ball by St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) reacts to being hit by a pitch from the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
A rally in the ninth inning edges Athletics, 5-4, and gives the Cardinals a 4-3 trip through California that reinforced how they must win, and how they are winning.
“We are trying to build something real, build something that lasts,” says exec in conversation with Post-Dispatch about additions to reward club, invigorate fans.
JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch to prolong the ninth inning long enough for Ivan Herrera and Jordan Walker to deliver hits for a 5-4 comeback win in Sacramento.
Outfielder will officially begin his rehab assignment Friday with the Cardinals' Low-A affiliate. Time has run out on reliever's rehab assignment, forcing roster choice.
