Cardinals Rally in Fifth Inning to Defeat Tigers

Ivan Herrera's two-run single caps four-run outburst as St. Louis avoids series sweep

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The St. Louis Cardinals scored four runs in the fifth inning, capped by Ivan Herrera's two-run single, to come from behind and defeat the Detroit Tigers 5-3 on Sunday night. The win allowed the Cardinals to avoid being swept in the three-game series.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' comeback victory prevented the Tigers from completing a series sweep, an important result as both teams look to position themselves in the early stages of the MLB season. The game featured strong pitching performances and timely hitting from both sides.

The details

Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy gave up two runs on five hits in five innings of work, while Tigers starter Keider Montero allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings. The game was tied 2-2 in the fifth when the Cardinals broke through with four runs, capped by Herrera's two-run single to give them a 4-2 lead. The Tigers cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth, but the Cardinals added an insurance run in the eighth to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Cardinals scored four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead.

The players

Ivan Herrera

The Cardinals' catcher delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning.

Kyle Leahy

The Cardinals' starting pitcher went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

Kerry Carpenter

The Tigers' outfielder hit a two-run home run in the third inning to give Detroit an early lead.

Keider Montero

The Tigers' starting pitcher was charged with three runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings of work.

Spencer Torkelson

The Tigers' first baseman reached base four times in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had to battle back after falling behind early. The guys really came through with some big hits in that fifth inning to give us the lead.”

— Oliver Marmol, Cardinals Manager

What’s next

The Cardinals will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their road trip, while the Tigers will try to rebound from the series loss when they return home to face another divisional opponent.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Cardinals' resilience and ability to rally late, as well as the Tigers' struggles to hold onto an early lead. Both teams will look to learn from this matchup as they navigate the early part of the MLB season.