St. Louis cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray delivered a masterful performance on Friday, June 27, 2025, tossing a rare one-hit complete-game shutout to lead his team to a dominant 5-0 victory over the cleveland guardians at Progressive Field. Gray’s historic outing spearheaded a crucial win for the Cardinals, who bounced back emphatically after being shut out in their two previous games.
The win also snapped a frustrating 24-inning scoreless streak for the St. Louis offense. Behind Gray’s brilliance on the mound and timely power hitting from Alec Burleson and Pedro Pagés, the Cardinals secured a decisive series-opening victory in Cleveland. This game marked a significant moment for both teams, highlighting the Cardinals’ potential when their pitching and hitting click, while underscoring the recent offensive struggles plaguing the Guardians.
Sonny Gray’s Dominant One-Hitter
Sonny Gray was exceptional from the first pitch, silencing the Cleveland Guardians’ lineup throughout the night. He completed the full nine innings, allowing just one solitary base hit. This marked his first complete game since 2017 and his first shutout since 2015.
It was also the seventh complete game of his 13-year major league career. Gray was remarkably efficient, throwing just 89 pitches in total, with an impressive 66 finding the strike zone. His command was pinpoint, as he did not issue a single walk.
Near Perfection on the Mound
Gray retired the first 14 batters he faced, flirting with a perfect game deep into the fifth inning. The bid for history was finally broken when Guardians third baseman Nolan Jones singled to right field with two outs in the fifth. That hit proved to be Cleveland’s only base runner of the entire game.
Gray also racked up strikeouts, finishing the night with a season-high 11 punchouts. This was his third start this season with double-digit strikeouts and the 20th time in his career. His performance continued a strong recent trend; over his last two starts, including this one, Gray has allowed only one run in 14 innings after giving up six runs in a prior outing on June 12.
Cardinals Offense Breaks Through
After struggling to score runs in their last two games, the St. Louis Cardinals’ offense finally ignited in the third inning against Guardians starter Luis Ortiz. The rally began with catcher Pedro Pagés. Pagés launched an elevated sinker over the left-field wall for a solo home run to lead off the frame.
This crucial blast ended the team’s 24-inning scoring drought. Later in the inning, following a couple of outs, Alec Burleson connected for a two-run home run with two outs. Burleson’s shot extended the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0, providing ample support for Gray’s dominant pitching. The third-inning rally was also aided by some defensive miscues from the Guardians.
Extending the Lead
The Cardinals weren’t done scoring after the third. They added another run in the sixth inning when Alec Burleson hit a double. Burleson later came around to score on a two-out double off the wall by Nolan Arenado.
Arenado drove in his second run of the game in the eighth inning. His RBI single off Guardians reliever Jakob Junis, following two walks, brought the final score to 5-0. The offensive contributions from Pagés, Burleson, and Arenado proved more than enough on a night defined by exceptional pitching.
Guardians’ Offense Silenced
The Cleveland Guardians’ offense faced immense difficulty throughout the game, managing only one hit against Sonny Gray. This marked the second consecutive game in which the Guardians were shut out, highlighting a significant slump at the plate. The single hit by Nolan Jones in the fifth inning prevented the Guardians from being no-hit for the fifth time since the 2021 season.
Compounding their offensive woes, the Guardians were without their star third baseman, José Ramírez. Ramírez was sidelined from the lineup due to a bruised right forearm he sustained after being hit by a pitch in the previous game on June 26. His absence undoubtedly impacted the team’s ability to generate runs.
Starting Pitcher Struggles
Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz took the loss, falling to 4-9 on the season. Ortiz surrendered three runs in the third inning, including the home runs to Pagés and Burleson. He settled down after the rough third, pitching through seven innings and striking out five.
However, the damage in the pivotal third inning, coupled with the lack of offensive support against Gray, sealed his fate. Ortiz has historically struggled against the Cardinals, holding an 0-3 record with a high ERA against them over his career. The Guardians’ overall record has seen a decline since mid-May, contributing to their current position behind the division leaders.
Game Context and Roster Moves
The St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians was played in front of an attendance of 34,787 at Progressive Field. The game was completed in a speedy 2 hours and 11 minutes, largely thanks to Gray’s efficient pitching. This win allowed the Cardinals to rebound from recent losses and started the series on a positive note.
For the Guardians, the loss continued a tough stretch, including three losses in their last four home games. Pre-game news for Cleveland included activating left-hander Erik Sabrowski from the 60-day injured list and optioning right-hander Zak Kent to Triple-A Columbus. Manager Stephen Vogt also publicly supported first baseman Kyle Manzardo, starting him despite defensive errors in the previous game, emphasizing the importance of getting back into action.
Looking ahead, the next game in the series is scheduled to feature St. Louis RHP Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.31 ERA) facing off against Cleveland RHP Slade Cecconi (3-3, 3.38). The Cardinals will look to continue their momentum, while the Guardians will aim to break their scoring drought and even the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Sonny Gray’s pitching performance significant?
Sonny Gray’s outing on June 27, 2025, was highly significant for several reasons. He pitched his first complete game since 2017 and first shutout since 2015. Allowing only one hit and no walks while striking out 11, he achieved this rare feat on just 89 pitches, showcasing remarkable efficiency. It was his seventh career complete game and a season-high in strikeouts.
Which Cardinals players hit home runs in the game?
Two St. Louis Cardinals players hit home runs against the Cleveland Guardians in the 5-0 victory. Catcher Pedro Pagés hit a solo home run in the third inning, which notably ended the Cardinals’ 24-inning scoreless streak. Later in the same inning, Alec Burleson hit a two-run shot with two outs, extending the Cardinals’ early lead.
Why was the Cleveland Guardians’ offense so ineffective?
The Cleveland Guardians’ offense struggled immensely primarily due to the exceptional pitching of Sonny Gray, who held them to just one hit over nine innings. Additionally, the team was missing key hitter José Ramírez, who was out with a bruised forearm. This contributed to their inability to generate offense and resulted in being shut out for the second consecutive game.
Conclusion
Sonny Gray’s dazzling one-hit complete-game shutout was the definitive story of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, June 27, 2025. Backed by timely home runs from Pedro Pagés and Alec Burleson, and additional RBIs from Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals snapped a frustrating scoring slump and secured a critical win. While St. Louis rides the high of Gray’s dominant performance and a resurgent offense, the Cleveland Guardians face challenges, needing to overcome offensive struggles and the absence of José Ramírez to find their stride in the remainder of the series.
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