The manager declined to go into detail about their talk in the team’s food room, but came away assured that Martinez had his cool even in the heat of the ninth. When Acuna greeted Martinez to lead off the ninth and doubled, Shildt had an alternative warming in the bullpen.

Martinez then retired the next three batters he faced.

“He’s bent,” Shildt said, “but he hasn’t broke a lot.”

To bunt, or not

Within the span of a few pitches and one pitching change Sunday in Game 3, a potential rally that could have altered the outcome of that game fizzled on the Cardinals because of a bunt that never was and a pickoff they’ve never seen. Shildt explored and explained both decisions Monday morning.

In the eighth inning Sunday, the first two batters walked — the first two walks of the game for the Cardinals — and Shildt had No. 8 hitter DeJong swing away, especially on a 2-0 count. DeJong would fly out and never attempt to advance the runners with a bunt, which would have been his first bunt attempt of the season.