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June 16 (UPI) -- Paul Goldschmidt clobbered a high fastball for a 415-foot over the right center field fence to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a dramatic walk-off win over the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. Goldschmidt's solo shot came in the bottom of the ninth inning of the 2-1 victory Tuesday in St. Louis. The veteran first baseman went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored in the win.
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"I got down 1-2 [in the count] and I was honestly just trying to shorten up and put something in play," Goldschmidt told reporters.
"I told myself before I walked up there to not try to do too much. It's funny what happens when you do that."
Cardinals pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim and Marlins starter Trevor Rogers each allowed just three hits and one run with six strikeouts through the first six innings of the game. Each team handed the game over to their respective bullpens for the final three innings.
Cardinals relief pitcher Alex Reyes walked Jon Berti in the first at-bat in the top of the ninth inning. He then retired the next three Marlins batters.
Goldschmidt stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the frame. The six-time All-Star took a slider for a called strike on the first pitch of his exchange with Marlins relief pitcher Yimi Garcia.
Goldschmidt then fell behind in the count 1-2. Garcia tossed in a 98.6-mph fastball for the final offering of the exchange.
Goldschmidt crushed the pitch for the game-winning swat. The solo homer traveled 104.9 mph off Goldschmidt's bat, according to Statcast.
Right fielder Adam Duvall gave the Marlins an initial lead with an RBI single in the top of the third inning. Goldschmidt brought in the tying run with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth frame of the victory.
Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar went 2 for 3 with a walk in the loss. He was the only Marlins player to record multiple hits.
The Cardinals (34-33) host the Marlins (29-38) in the final game of the series at 1:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Sandy Alcantara is expected to start for the Marlins. The Cardinals are expected to start fellow right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo.
