Photos: Cardinals drop second game of doubleheader, series to Royals
ӣƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off ӣƵ Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia hits a two-run home run during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Willson Contreras hits an RBI single during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Nolan Arenado is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore tosses a ball in the air as Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Nolan Arenado gestures toward the dugout as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin hits a solo home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Nolan Arenado follows through on a two-run home run during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez hits an RBI single during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Jonathan India turns a double play over ӣƵ Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar during the fourth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia, left, runs home to score a run on an RBI single by Salvador Perez, right, during the fifth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Masyn Winn is late with the tag as Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia, right, steals second during the fifth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' Drew Waters catches a fly ball for an out against ӣƵ Cardinals' Willson Contreras during the seventh inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals' John Rave catches a fly ball against ӣƵ Cardinals' Masyn Winn during the ninth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Masyn Winn is late with the tag as Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia safely steals second during the ninth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Estévez throws during the ninth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the ӣƵ Cardinals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Nolan Gorman walks to the dugout after striking out during the eighth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
ӣƵ Cardinals' Brendan Donovan turns a double play over Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin during the eighth inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, June 5, 2025, in ӣƵ. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
The Cardinals managed to close a 5-1 deficit in Game 2 of a doubleheaders vs. the Royals, but had little offense to show vs. the Kansas City bullpen.
Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore felt “out of sync” during his start in Game 2 of a doubleheader vs. the Royals. The issues led him to give up seven runs.