Adam Wainwright earned his 200th win, pitching seven innings of four-hit ball in a vintage performance as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Monday night.
It was the longest outing this season for the 42-year-old Wainwright (5-11), who struck out three and walked two. He has won consecutive starts — both against first-place teams — after going 0-10 with a 10.72 ERA over his previous 11 games between June 24 and Sept. 7.
The right-hander became the 38th pitcher in NL history to reach 200 wins, and the 24th major leaguer to achieve the milestone since 2000.
Wainwright allowed just four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in seven shutout innings in the 1-0 victory to join Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw as the only active pitchers with at least 200 wins.
Adam had a whole season behind him to reach this mark, he started 2023 with 195 victories and until what could be his penultimate start he did not get that fifth win that would take him to his personal goal.
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley locked the door in the ninth inning to secure Wainwright’s historic moment. Waino also joins Tim Wakefield, George Uhle, Jon Lester and Chuck Finley in 118th place on the all-time wins list.
Iconic. pic.twitter.com/BrDfbLEQbg
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 19, 2023
What it meant to him…
There is no doubt that it has been a complicated season for him, but even so, he has persisted in pursuit of that 200th win, Adam Wainwright owns a 7.40 ERA with WHIP of 1.90 in 101 innings (21 starts) during the worst and possible final year of a great career.
After the game he was honest with himself, admitting that the one you saw outside is the real “Waino”.
“For at least a night, I was a real pitcher and the guy I still want to be,” said Wainwright, who admitted to pitching with arm pain and tape protecting his aching back. “That’s my first scoreless outing [this season], and certainly my longest.
“And, you know, for tonight, I was me.”
Goodnight from Busch Stadium! #STLCards pic.twitter.com/o6YHtXZy0J
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 19, 2023
