Since returning from the injured list on Thursday, Tyler O’Neill has been a force in the Cardinals’ lineup.
After hitting homers in each of St. Louis’ first two games at Chase Field, O’Neill continued to slug his way through the series with another strong offensive effort on Saturday night. The left fielder went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs in the Cardinals’ 7-4 win over the D-backs.
O’Neill’s third homer of the four-game set was a 450-foot blast that left his bat with a 107.4 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast. That wasn’t O’Neill’s hardest-hit ball of the night, though, as he ripped a 113.1 mph double off right-hander Taylor Clarke in the seventh.
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said O’Neill’s night — as well as Yadier Molina’s three-RBI performance — rounded off a strong all-around offensive performance for his club.
“Yadi and Tyler were really great tonight, both getting three RBIs, and Tyler with the big home run, a couple of doubles and he hit another ball pretty well,” Shildt said. “Really good at-bats all the way throughout for the most part and just good team offensive baseball.”
O’Neill, who had previously missed time due to a fractured left middle finger, gave the Cards a boost during a five-run third inning. After Molina drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single, O’Neill followed with a double that plated Nolan Arenado and Molina.
It was the first time in O’Neill’s career that he had three extra-base hits in a game. He is 6-for-14 with seven RBIs through the first three games of the series, as he has transitioned into using an interlocking grip on the bat to protect his previously injured finger.
Not only did O’Neill rake at the plate, but he also flashed the leather. He made a diving grab near foul territory to end the fourth inning, robbing Christian Walker of a hit and preventing a run from scoring.
Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, who allowed four runs in five innings and earned the win, said O’Neill’s combination of size and athleticism is something that you don’t often see.
“Great play. I mean, we’ve seen him do that a bunch,” Wainwright said. “He’s got incredible speed. He’s got great closing speed, and you would not think a guy as muscle-bound as he is could do some of the things he does athletically. He’s very flexible, if you can believe it. Incredibly flexible, but we know he’s got big power.
“But you see a guy kind of walking around with his biceps all flared up, you wouldn’t know that he was such an incredible athlete. He just keeps improving and keeps impressing us on a day-to-day basis.”
Upon O’Neill’s return to the Cardinals’ roster, Shildt said that the 25-year-old is “the entire package.” After Saturday’s display of speed, strength and athletic ability, Shildt said those types of performances are what O’Neill brings to the team.
“He was on display tonight,” Shildt said. “That’s the kind of player Tyler O’Neill is. He beats you on both sides of the baseball. And that was a phenomenal play that he made. … Just tremendous. I mean, as good a play as you’ll see.”