Pozo's hit in 11th lifts Cardinals over Royals, setting off celebration among shirtless fans

Published May. 16, 2026 12:05 a.m. ET

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yohel Pozo ended the game with his first hit in seven pinch-hit at-bats this season, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat I-70 rival Kansas City 5-4 in 11 innings on Friday night to set off a celebration among about 100 shirtless fans in Busch Stadium's right-field seats.

Jordan Walker had three hits, including his 13th homer, and is batting .309.

St. Louis was 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position before Pozo’s opposite-field, two-out hit to right off Steven Cruz (0-1). Pozo was so excited about lining the ball into right he at first didn’t run hard up the line and had to be urged on by teammates, aware there was a possible force play if he didn’t hurry.

St. Louis got its fourth walk-off win of the season, two shy of the Cardinals’ total last year.

About 100 fans went to an open section in right field in the ninth and twirled their shirts while chanting, trying to spark St. Louis to a victory.

Oliver Marmol got his 351st win as Cardinals manager, tying Hall of Famer Joe Torre for ninth in club history.

Kansas City has lost five straight and seven of nine, dropping into the AL Central cellar.

Carter Jensen’s RBI double and Isaac Collins’ sacrifice fly put the Royals ahead 2-0 in the fourth against Dustin May but Walker’s homer off former Cardinal Michael Wacha tied the score in the bottom half and Pedro Pages went deep against Wacha for a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

Collins’ run-scoring groundout tied the score in the sixth.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead double in the 10th against Ryne Stanek, and Alec Burleson retired the score with an RBI single off Lucas Erceg in the bottom half.

hit a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning, Jordan Walker and Pedro Pagés each hit a home run, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Wednesday night.

Walker finished with three hits and two RBIs, while Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson added two apiece.

Royals Michael Wacha (4-2) allowed three runs and had five strikeouts in six innings.

Cardinals Dustin May (3-4) gave up three runs in six innings.