The defending World Series champions had no answer for Carlos Martinez on Sunday.
St. Louis' Opening Day starter dominated the Chicago Cubs over 7 1/3 innings, striking out 10 hitters, including 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant three times.
With the spectacular performance, the 25-year-old right-hander, who paid tribute to his deceased friends Yordano Ventura and Oscar Taveras before the game, joined some illustrious Cardinals company.
The Dominican hurler became the first Cardinals pitcher to strikeout 10 hitters on Opening Day since Bob Gibson sat down 12 in 1975.
Martinez also became just the fourth pitcher to strikeout 10 and not allow a run or a walk since 1913.
| PITCHER | YEAR | TEAM | IP | BB | R | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Gibson | 1967 | STL | 9 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Chris Short | 1968 | PHI | 9 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Jered Weaver | 2012 | LAA | 8 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
