As we begin our watch for the opening day, we bring the previous seven season openers for the Cardinals. We start in 2012 with the team in Miami to face the Marlins. First game in Marlins Park, Miami; ceremonial pitch by Muhammad Ali. The umpires were HP – Ed Rapuano, 1B – Angel Hernandez, 2B – Laz Diaz, 3B – Ed Hickox.
The Cardinals were the visitors and sported this lineup: Furcal, Beltran, Holliday, Berkman, Freese, Molina, Jay, Descalso and Lohse
The home team Marlins sent out: Reyes, Bonifacio, Ramirez, Stanton, Morrison, Sanchez, Infante, Buck, and Johnson
The game was played on April 4, 2012, at Marlins Park with 36,601 in attendance. The surface was grass and the time of game was scheduled for 7:15 pm local time.
The Cardinals broke open the new stadium in the top half of the first inning as Furcal grounded out (shortstop to first); Beltran singled to right; Holliday flew to right; Berkman doubled to left [Beltran to third]; Freese singled to left [Beltran scored, Berkman scored, Freese to second (on throw
to home)]; Molina grounded out (second to first). The Cardinals score 2 runs.
The next scoring came in the top of the 2nd inning with Jay lined to pitcher; Descalso walked; Lohse out
on a sacrifice bunt (pitcher to first) [Descalso to second]; Furcal singled to center [Descalso scored]; Beltran singled to left [Furcal to third]; Holliday forced Beltran (third to second The Cardinals score 1 run and now lead 3-0.
Neither team scored until the top half of the 8th inning when Freese singled to
shortstop; Molina doubled to left [Freese to third] Jay grounded out (pitcher to first); Descalso grounded out (pitcher unassisted) [Freese scored, Molina to third]; Lohse grounded out (second to first). The Cardinals produce ONE more run, They take a 4-0 lead.
The Marlins get their first run at Marlins Park in the bottom of the 8th inning with Morrison singled to right; G. Sanchez was called out on strikes; SALAS REPLACED LOHSE (PITCHING); Infante forced
Morrison (second to shortstop); Buck doubled to center [Infante scored]; DOBBS BATTED FOR CHOATE; RZEPCZYNSKI REPLACED SALAS (PITCHING); KEARNS BATTED FOR DOBBS; Kearns struck out. The Miami Marlins scored one run and trail 4-1.
That was the final score as starter Kyle Lohse pitched 7.1 innings and allowed 2 hits and one earned run in the contest. Salas, Rzepczynski, and Motte each come to the mound to finish a win on Opening Day in 2012.
Opening Day for Cardinals in 2019 is March 28th in Milwaukee.
