Cardinals Rally for 9-8 Win, Eliminating Giants from Playoffs

The San Francisco Giants were eliminated from playoff contention after a 9-8 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, marked by a late comeback rally from the Cardinals with Alec Burleson delivering the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning. The Cardinals showed resilience in overcoming early deficits, with key contributions from Burleson, who has been a consistent offensive leader with multiple multi-hit games this season, and Iván Herrera, who tied the game with his 18th home run. The Giants struggled with bullpen reliability, especially in the late innings, which ultimately cost them in their wild-card push. Despite the loss, the Cardinals remain competitive in the National League Wild Card race, tied with the Giants and trailing the Reds and Mets. Cardinals' pitching performances also contributed to their recent wins, including solid outings from Michael McGreevy and Jojo Romero. The matchup underscored the Cardinals' momentum and depth as they aim to secure a playoff spot, contrasting with the Giants' bullpen challenges and playoff elimination.