Flaherty fans 13 for 1st MLB win as Cards beat Phillies

ST. LOUIS » Even after such an impressive outing, Jack Flaherty just wanted to talk about his hitting.

Flaherty struck out a career-high 13 to earn his first major league win and Tyler O’Neill homered as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 on Sunday.

Making his ninth big league start, Flaherty (1-1) gave up only two hits and walked one in 7 2/3 dominant innings. But after throwing 120 pitches, all the rookie right-hander had on his mind was his first hit in 10 at-bats — a relatively meaningless single in the third.

“I got tired of looking up at the scoreboard and seeing all those zeros by my batting average,” Flaherty said. “So I needed to do something about it.”

Jordan Hicks got four outs to finish the two-hitter and threw the fastest pitch in the majors this season, according to Statcast — a 105 mph fastball to Odubel Herrera in the ninth. Hicks hit 105 mph twice and 104 three times against Herrera, the five fastest pitches in the big leagues this year.

The rookie reliever threw 11 pitches 100 mph or harder Sunday.

Herrera went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, ending his on-base streak at 45 games dating to last season.

“At some point, the streak had to end,” he said. “It’s part CARDINALS 5, PHILLIES 1 Up next: Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta (3-2, 3.72 ERA) will face Atlanta RHP Mike Foltynewicz in the first of a three-game series Monday. of the game. It’s part of baseball. Now, I’m looking forward to starting a new streak.”

O’Neill, who had three hits in the cleanup spot, homered for the second time in two games. His solo shot off Aaron Nola (6-2) in the sixth made it 3-1.

“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable,” O’Neill said. “The best part is that I was able to contribute and we got the win.”

Matt Carpenter added

JEFF ROBERSON — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Phillies’ Maikel Franco strikes out swinging during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 5-1.