ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsApr 29, 2026, 11:44 PM ET
“Everything to left field is an out,” said Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who got the win Wednesday after allowing one run in six innings. “We love having Church out there.”
Church said his ability to snag balls at the wall is no coincidence, saying he works on them at the start of every series with outfield coach Jon Jay.
Reliever Riley O’Brien, who got his eighth save thanks to the grab, held his arms over his head with a stunned look toward left as Church casually jogged away from the wall with the ball in his glove.
The rookie left fielder’s latest saved the game for the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Initially off the bat, I thought it was gone,” O’Brien said.
He added: “I said, ‘I love you. Thank you for catching that.'”
Nathan Church’s fantastic HR robbery secures win for Cardinals (0:36)Nathan Church scales the wall to take away a Pirates home run and secure the win for the Cardinals. (0:36)