The result of Jordan Walker’s sixth-inning at bat – a 427-foot home run that left the bat at a scorching 112.1 mph – was certainly dynamic, but it was the process in getting to that point that spoke volumes about the 24-year-old slugger’s massive improvement in 2026 for the Cardinals.

After initially falling down 0-2 in the count, Walker first fouled off three consecutive pitches to stay alive in the at bat. Then, after laying off an outside pitch – always a problem area in the past – Walker dodged an up-and-in pitch and then showed great restraint by laying off a low sweeper in the heart of the plate. Then, when Chase Petty had to come back across the plate, Walker punished a 95-mph sinker over the wall in left  

Walker’s homer got the Cardinals within one in the sixth inning, and as it turns out, he was just getting started in the game. With the Cardinals down to their Walker The 6-foot-6, 250-pound slugger, who turned 24 years old on Friday, also singled in a run in the top of the ninth with the Cardinals down to what could have been their final out.

Now Walk it out! 💣 pic.twitter.com/XdYVMhi6UI— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 24, 2026

However, after thumping the Reds in Game 1 in their most lopsided victory of the season, the Cardinals were unable to score in the 10th and 11th innings and lost 7-6 to the Reds when Masyn Winn’s throw home bounced and Spencer Steer slid in ahead of the tag by Yohel Pozo.

Closer Riley O’Brien, who pitched a scoreless 10th, got the grounder on the infield that he hoped for in the 11th inning. Winn was perfectly positioned with left fielder Bryan Torres brought in to be the fifth infielder, but the owner of one of the game’s strongest throwing arms hurried his throw that bounced, allowing Steer to score the winner.

The Cardinals dropped to 7-2 in extra innings on the season.

Eleven years in the making, Bryan Torres has an MLB debut for the ages

Walker homered in both of Saturday's games

Walker hit his 14th homer of the season in Game 1 -- this one an opposite-field shot when he went with a four-seam fastball on the outside corner. His homer in the second game got the Cards back within 5-4 in the sixth inning.

After the Reds pushed their lead to 6-4 off reliever Justin Bruihl, pinch-hitter Jose Fermin led off the ninth inning with a solo homer. Walks to Victor Scott II and Alec Burleson set the stage for Walker, who smacked a single through the left side to knot the game at 6.

JORDAN WALKER TIES IT!

TARPS OFF IN CINCINNATI! pic.twitter.com/ejyR6zARdc— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 24, 2026

Kyle Leahy saw a strong start come apart in the fifth inning – a familiar trouble spot. Foes hit .197 against Leahy the first tine through and .286 the second time through, but that batting average jumps to .425 the third time through.

Reds star Elly De La Cruz went the other way on a fastball for a three-run homer that put the Reds ahead 3-1. Then, three batters later, Nathaniel Lowe smashed a 435-foot solo shot off Leahy to make it a 5-1 game.

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