Cards’ skid at 8 as Tigers win 6-5 in 10

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals extended a losing steak to eight for the first time in 16 years, losing to the Detroit Tigers 6-5 on Saturday in Adam Wainwright’s return from the injured list as Akil Baddoo hit a go-ahead double in the 10th inning.

St. Louis is on its longest skid since nine straight losses from Sept. 7-15, 2007. At a National League-worst 10-24, the Cardinals are 14 games under .500 for the first time since ending the 1997 season at 73-89.

A squirrel got one of the day’s biggest ovations when he scampered across the infield in the bottom off the seventh.

Baddoo doubled off Giovanny Gallegos (1-2) to drive in automatic runner Jonathan Schoop.

Wainwright, starting his 19th and what he said will be his final major league season, allowed four runs and eight hits over five-plus innings struck out five and walked none. He had started the season on the injured list with a groin injury.

The 41-year-old righthander pitched two-hit ball for four innings and was staked to a three-run lead, then allowed Detroit to tie the score 3-3 in the fifth on RBI singles by Eric Haase and Riley Greene around Zack McKinstry’s sacrifice fly.

Wainwright left with a 5-4 lead after Nick Maton doubled and scored on Spencer Torkelson’s single in the sixth. Torkelson tied the score with a RBI single in the seventh off Genesis Cabrera.

The second-oldest active pitcher in the major leagues, Wainwright missed the first 33 games while recovering from an injury sustained when working out with the U.S. during the World Baseball Classic.

Chasen Shreve, Will Vest, Tyler Holton and José Cisnero (2-0) combined for 5 ⅓ shutout innings in relief of Spencer Turnbull, who allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 ⅔ innings.

Dylan Carlson hit a threerun homer in the second and Nolan Arenado had a two-run homer in the fifth for a 4-3 lead, Arenado’s third home run this season and first in 85 plate appearances since April 12 at Colorado.

Moves

St. Louis selected the contract of C Tres Barrera from Triple-A Memphis, optioned RHP Guillermo Zuñiga to Memphis and designated INF/OF Taylor Motter for assignment.

Trainer’s room

Tigers: RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain) threw a bullpen session before Friday’s game and is throw another session next week. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 28.

Up next

Detroit will recall RHP Alex Faedo from Triple-A Toledo to make his season debut against Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (0-4, 6.39 ERA).