Arenado takes blame for Cardinals' struggles: 'Got to be better'

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado blames himself for his team's fifth straight loss amid a tough start to the season.

Arenado failed to tag Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras in the first inning in what could've been a double play to end the frame. Milwaukee ended up scoring three runs and never looked back in a 7-1 win Thursday that dropped St. Louis to a season-low seven games under .500.

(Video source: MLB.com)

"I messed up there (on the play at third base), and that (first inning) inning is on me," the 10-time Gold Glover said postgame, according to John Denton of MLB.com. "I've just got to be better and be a better player for the guys.

"I've got to get on base more and drive in more runs. I know when I say that it might be adding more pressure, but I expect myself to do a better job all the way around to help these guys out."

Arenado, who's also an eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger, failed to redeem himself in the fifth inning, popping out in foul territory with the bases loaded and none out as the Cardinals trailed by four runs.

The 33-year-old has gone deep twice with 20 RBIs and a .741 OPS over 37 games in 2024 following the worst offensive season of his career in 2023 since his 2013 rookie campaign. Arenado's decline at the plate comes after finishing as a 2022 NL MVP finalist.