ST. LOUIS — Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong gave an elated fist pump as he rounded first base in the sixth inning, having just watched the ball he crushed land 419 feet away from home plate — where it could be retrieved but not caught — for a two-run home run to give his team breathing room against one of the stingiest starting pitchers in the majors.
DeJong’s show of elation after his fifth home run of the season gave the Cardinals a three-run lead came with an element of redemption. He’d struck out with the bases loaded against Milwaukee Brewers ace and former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes in his previous at-bat, and the Cardinals left the bases loaded without scoring a run in that inning.