Kim extends shutout streak, leads Cardinals past Giants 3-1

By: Steve Overbey, The Associated Press Posted: 9:19 PM CDT Saturday, Jul. 17, 2021 Last Modified: 10:00 PM CDT Saturday, Jul. 17, 2021

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kwang Hyun Kim didn't necessarily need a translator. His smile said it all.

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kwang Hyun Kim didn't necessarily need a translator. His smile said it all.

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kwang Hyun Kim didn’t necessarily need a translator. His smile said it all.

The St. Louis left-hander tossed six shutout innings, Tyler O’Neill and Paul Goldschmidt homered and the Cardinals beat San Francisco 3-1 on Saturday night, snapping the Giants’ five-game winning streak.

The South Korean-born Kim (5-5) has not allowed a run over his last 21 innings, covering three-plus starts. He was pitching in front of his wife and two children for the first time in the United States, which made the performance extra special

St. Louis Cardinals starter Kwang Hyun Kim follows through on a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

“I tried to be calm, not to get too excited,” Kim said through an interpreter.

St. Louis has won eight of its last 10 games at home against the Giants.

Kim allowed three hits in an 85-pitch outing. He struck out one, walked two and left with a 3-0 lead. Kim has allowed one run or less in six of his last seven starts. His wife, Lee Sang-Hee, and two children, Minjoo and Minjae, arrived in St. Louis earlier this week.

“I can’t imagine how good a feeling that has to be,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s wonderful to have his family here, his kids here. It’s clearly good to see him pitch so well.”

Kim tossed seven shutout innings against the Giants on July 5. He was in total command again on Saturday.

“He’s been huge for us,” Goldschmidt said. “He gives us a good chance to win any time he’s on the mound.”

Kim planed on celebrating with some of his mother’s home cooking, which includes his favorite dish of Kimchi Chigae, a fermented chili pepper cabbage soup.

“My mother and I use the same oven,” Kim said. “But somehow she makes it better than I do.”

St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt watches his two-run home run in the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

Kim said his recent success stems from his ability to keep the ball down.

“I just pitch low and my control is getting better,” Kim said. “Even though (it might be) a mistake pitch, the pitch is low and they get singles, not extra base hits.”

Kim’s family will return to South Korea late next week, but will not likely get to see him pitch in his next start. He said it was important for his children to see him perform in front of a large crowd.

Anthony DeSclafani (10-4) gave up thee runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

Alex Reyes recorded his 21st save in as many opportunities this season. He has 23 successive saves, dating to last season.

O’Neill hit his 16th homer of the season leading off second inning. It was his first since a two-homer game on June 9 against Cleveland.

Goldschmidt, who had three hits and extended his hitting streak to a 12-games, hit a two-run blast in the fifth. Dylan Carlson led off the inning with a double.

“It was a fastball kind of middle away and down,” Goldschmidt said. “I was just trying to hit something hard there. Worst case get Dylan to third and I was able to get it out of there.’

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Dylan Carlson makes a leaping catch on a ball hit by San Francisco Giants' Austin Slater during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

The Giants, who scored an unearned run in the seventh, sport the best record in the majors at 58-33 despite the loss.

KING OF THE CUP

Tampa Bay winger Patrick Maroon, a native of St. Louis, was in attendance Saturday. He has captured three successive Stanley Cup titles, including one with the Blues in 2019. Maroon received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was shown on the scoreboard in the third inning.

THEY WILL COME

The game drew a season-high 40,489 fans at Busch Stadium

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants: INF Brandon Crawford was held out of the starting lineup Saturday after leaving Friday’s contest with a hamstring issue. He walked as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.

Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas will throw another batting practice session on Tuesday. He felt fine after throwing to several hitters on Friday. Mikolas is hoping to begin a rehab session later this month. He has been out since May 23 with right forearm tightness.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani waits on the mound as St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 17, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

UP NEXT

St. Louis LHP Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 4.78) takes on RHP Johnny Cueto (6-5, 4.15) in the final game of the three-game set on Sunday afternoon. LeBlanc gave up three runs in the first inning of his last start — a 10-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs on July 9. Cueto surrendered four runs in six innings of a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals on July 6.

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