Brendan Donovan helped the St. Louis Cardinals avoid playoff elimination by tying a Major League Baseball record with four doubles in a single game during their 9-8 win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday. After missing two games due to ongoing groin stiffness, Donovan returned to the lineup and delivered a key performance.
Donovan’s fourth double came in the ninth inning, allowing Victor Scott II to score from first base and tie the game. Alec Burleson followed with a single that brought home the winning run, helping the Cardinals overcome a five-run deficit.
“This time of year, you’re supposed to be banged up. But we threw everything at [the groin injury],” Donovan said regarding his preparation for the game.
Initially not in manager Oliver Marmol’s starting lineup, Donovan informed Marmol just hours before the game that he was ready to play. “I just wanted to know that I could get off the ball on defense and I can hold positions in my swing,” Donovan explained. “When you’re not feeling right, that’s one thing. But if it affects your posture or being on time, that’s when you’re not just doing yourself a disservice, but you’re doing it to the club, too.
“We went through a little bit of everything. We hit and I was feeling pretty good, so I said, ‘Put me in there!’”
After his tying hit in the ninth inning, Donovan left the game because of continued groin issues. He joined Matt Carpenter (2018) and Joe Medwick (1937) as Cardinals players who have hit four doubles in one game—a feat accomplished only 52 times in MLB history. Ezequiel Tovar of Colorado is the only other player with four doubles in a game this season.
“[Donovan] is going to give you everything that he’s got for that day, whether it’s 100% or 20%,” Burleson said. “Good hitters are just going to hit, and that’s what he did. Four doubles is pretty impressive, and he’s a big part of that win.”
The Cardinals’ victory kept them 3½ games behind for the final National League Wild Card spot with four games remaining after an earlier Mets win put them close to elimination.
Nolan Arenado commented on how most players were unaware they needed a win to avoid elimination: “We didn’t know, and I think we’re just playing,” Arenado said. “We’re just going to keep playing hard until Sunday is over and they tell us that we’re done. It doesn’t matter about all that [playoff odds]. We just want to try and win every game that we possibly can.”
Manager Oliver Marmol added: “I love that one. I wish we had two more weeks of baseball, to be honest with you, because the guys are getting after it and they don’t want to give in. It’s been fun. To be able to give up a five-spot [in the third inning] and not give in at all, it’s huge. These guys are taking their best shot, and it’s been really good.”
Donovan has struggled with injuries since early August when foot problems led to groin pain; he spent time on the injured list starting August 18 before returning September 12 after rehab at Double-A Springfield.
Despite lingering soreness keeping him out of recent games—including being scratched from Monday’s lineup following travel—Donovan started Tuesday’s game strong by leading off with a double during a three-run first inning for St. Louis.
Reflecting on his achievement after uncertain availability earlier in the day, Donovan summed up: “Baseball is a weird, weird game sometimes,” he said.
