Nolan Arenado nears 2,000 hits as D-backs top Cards 5-3
Nolan Arenado delivered a two-run double in the third inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on July 18, 2026, at Chase Field. The 35-year-old third baseman closed to within two hits of 2,000 for his career in his first season with Arizona.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona scored three two-out runs in the third, capped by Nolan Arenado's two-run double down the left-field line.
- Brandon Pfaadt (4-1) allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings; Paul Sewald notched his 23rd save.
- Arenado finished two hits shy of 2,000; he reached the mark with a double vs. the Athletics on July 20.
- The Diamondbacks have won five of their last six and improved to 50-48.
How did Nolan Arenado change the game against St. Louis?
Facing his former club, Arenado sparked a three-run third that turned a slim lead into 4-0. After Ketel Marte scored on a wild pitch, Arenado ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, per ESPN's game recap.
Gabriel Moreno and Marte each collected two hits. The D-backs later saw St. Louis chip away, including an RBI single from Jordan Walker in the sixth that made it 5-2.
Who pitched well for Arizona and St. Louis?
Pfaadt gave up two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings with three strikeouts. Since returning from a month in the minors, he has allowed only five earned runs over 21 innings (2.14 ERA) in four starts.
Cardinals right-hander Dustin May (5-7) allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks in five innings. Over his last five starts, May has surrendered 18 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings. Sewald earned the save despite a solo home run by Jimmy Crooks. JJ Wetherholt and Alec Burleson each had two hits for St. Louis.
Why does a 35-year-old Arenado still matter for longevity watchers?
At 35, the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner is in year one with Arizona after five seasons in St. Louis and eight in Colorado. He is bouncing back from an injury-filled 2025, a storyline that fits readers who follow aging athletes and longevity and biohacking coverage.
Two nights later, on July 20, Arenado lined a double off Jeffrey Springs for hit No. 2,000, drawing a standing ovation at Chase Field. He joined Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt and Manny Machado as one of six active players with at least 2,000 hits. His career line entering that night included a .280 average, 366 home runs and 1,228 RBIs.
Arizona was set to start All-Star left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (8-3, 2.29 ERA) the next day, with Andre Pallante (10-6, 3.96) scheduled for St. Louis. Attendance was 38,244 for the 2-hour, 44-minute contest.