Brendan Donovan didn’t have to be in the starting lineup to change the game.

Hours after testing how he felt after missing two days with a groin injury and eyeballing a return Tuesday night, the Cardinals’ lone All-Star came off the bench and into the highlights. Donovan drilled a two-run, pinch-hit double in the eighth inning to yank the Cardinals out of their stupor and carry them to a 3-2 victory against Colorado on Monday at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals failed to provide starter Miles Mikolas with any semblance of the lead he deserved for toying with a no-hitter early and providing nearly seven sturdy innings.

Chances came and chances went for the Cardinals.

They were 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and struggled to produce anything against Rockies starter Chase Dollander

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