All posts by Ben Kinealy

Cardinals 2024 Arizona Fall League Recap

November 21, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese and Ben Johnson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Reviewing final results of all eight St. Louis Cardinals prospects who competed in the 2024 Arizona Fall League. Second baseman Thomas Saggese led the way.

Manager Ben Johnson’s Glendale Desert Dogs finished the 2024 Arizona Fall League season in a three-way tie for second place at 16-14, missing out on the postseason by the narrowest edge, the tiebreaker.

To conclude our annual coverage, it is time to review the results of the eight Cardinals prospects who participated in the showcase, three position players and five pitchers.

Thomas Saggese

Thomas Saggese had a breakout performance in the AFL, named a Fall Star and the only Cardinal on the All-AFL Team. The second baseman slashed .391/.524/.591/1.118 with two home runs, 10 RBI and 16 walks in 82 plate appearances. He had a rough week to end the season, hitting 3-for-13 before missing the final four games after the Fall Stars Game while the Desert Dogs were pushing for a postseason spot.

Leonardo Bernal

Leonardo Bernal dealt with some growing pains, but the catcher turned his offensive results around in the final few weeks. He increased his batting average from .250 after four weeks to .304 at the end of the schedule and finished with a .764 OPS in 51 plate appearances after having a .692 mark through five weeks.

Nathan Church

Nathan Church had a similar experience to Bernal but was more reliable throughout. The outfielder increased his batting average from .333 after four weeks to .364 at the close of the AFL. The left-handed hitter went 4-for-9 in his last two weeks to conclude with an .815 OPS in 58 plate appearances.

Ixan Henderson

Ixan Henderson finished with a 1-1 record and a 4.50 ERA, by allowing six earned runs in 12 innings pitched, five of which came in a rough week five. The left-hander made two starts and three relief appearances with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.00, striking out 16 batters but walking eight.

Trent Baker

Right-hander Trent Baker did not make an appearance in the final three weeks of the AFL schedule, finishing with a 2.57 ERA while allowing two hits and holding the opponents to a .091 batting average in his seven innings pitched over one start and two relief appearances.

Alex Cornwell

In the final week, Alex Cornwell continued to improve, dropping his ERA from 5.40 to 4.66 thanks to his 1 ⅓ inning scoreless outing on November 12. Overall, Cornwell struck out nine in 9 ⅔ innings pitched over seven games, but hitters saw the ball well out of his hand as they hit .325 against him. Cornwell was not protected from the December 11 Rule 5 Draft, so he is eligible to be selected by another organization.

Matt Svanson

Matt Svanson finished the AFL with an 0-1 record while converting both his save opportunities. The right-hander logged a 5.91 ERA after allowing two runs in one inning in the final game on November 14. Swanson struggled with the longball, giving up three in just 10 ⅔ innings pitched in nine relief appearances, but he was fanning hitters left and right, with 15 strikeouts to just two walks. Earlier this week, Svanson was rewarded with a spot on St. Louis’ 40-man roster.

Brycen Mautz

Lefty Brycen Mautz struggled in the AFL, with an 8.10 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and seven walks. In two separate outings in the final week, Mautz gave up three runs on three hits in two innings. Despite the high ERA, Mautz did not surrender any long balls in his 10 AFL innings pitched over eight appearances out of the bullpen.

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TCN 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect #42 – Leonel Sequera

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 15, 2024

November 15, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Leonardo Bernal and Nathan Church (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Thursday, the Glendale Desert Dogs fell to the Scottsdale Scorpions 7-6 at Camelback Ranch to miss the Arizona Fall League postseason on a tiebreaker. Leonardo Bernal singled, doubled, walked and plated two. Nathan Church, Matt Svanson and Brycen Mautz also played.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, November 14.

Glendale Desert Dogs 6, Scottsdale Scorpions 7

The Glendale Desert Dogs (16-14) fell to the Scottsdale Scorpions (16-14) 7-6 on Thursday at Camelback Ranch to miss the Arizona Fall League postseason on a tiebreaker.

Four St. Louis Cardinals participated. Leonardo Bernal started at catcher and batted sixth, Nathan Church started in right field, batting seventh and Brycen Mautz and Matt Svanson pitched in relief.

Leonardo Bernal

Bernal went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and two RBI. He grounded out to begin the second, hit an RBI double in the fourth, an RBI single in the fifth to tie the game, lined out in the seventh, and walked in the ninth. He was replaced by a pinch runner in the ninth.

Bernal committed a throwing error in the field and allowed four runners to steal successfully.

Nathan Church

Church hit 2-for-5 with an RBI. Church singled in the second and stole second, singled in the fourth, popped out in the fifth, grounded into an RBI forceout in the seventh, and flew out in the ninth.

Matt Svanson

Svanson came into pitch the seventh inning, allowing two runs on two hits. The right-hander gave up back-to-back home runs to lead off the inning and then forced a flyout and two groundouts.

Brycen Mautz

Brycen Mautz threw a scoreless ninth inning. The lefty retired the side in order with a lineout, a groundout, and another lineout.

The Desert Dogs ended the season in a tie for second but missed the postseason because they lost the tiebreakers to the Scorpions and the Salt River Rafters.

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TCN 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect #48 – Josh Kross

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Ixan Henderson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs defeated Mesa on Monday. Starter Ixan Henderson fanned four and allowed one run in three innings. Matt Svanson added two scoreless relief frames. We recap all eight Cardinals’ AFL results through Week 5.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Monday, November 11.

Glendale Desert Dogs 7 at Mesa Solar Sox 3

Two St. Louis Cardinals participated in the Glendale Desert Dogs (15-12) 7-3 win over the Mesa Solar Sox (13-14) on Monday at Sloan Park.

Coming back from a rough outing in style, Ixan Henderson started the game and earned his first win this season. The lefty pitched three innings, allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out four. Matt Svanson came into the game in the sixth, throwing two scoreless innings to hold the lead.

Ixan Henderson

Henderson gave up two Mesa singles to start the game but retired the next three on a strikeout and two flyouts.

In the second, the left-hander struck out the first hitter, walked the next, forced the third to lineout, and secured a strikeout for the third out.

In the third, he yielded a solo homer and a single, struck out a batter, picked off a runner, surrendered a single, and forced his final batter to fly out. Henderson threw 57 pitches of which 38 were strikes.

On Monday, Henderson lowered his AFL ERA to 4.50 after a rough week in which he was charged with five earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings.

Matt Svanson

Svanson retired the side in the sixth, forcing a flyout and two groundouts. He had the same success in the seventh, with two ground outs and a line out in between. 12 of his 18 pitches were strikes and four of his six outs collected were via the ground ball.

After throwing four scoreless innings this week, Svanson knocked his ERA down to 4.66. He also collected three more strikeouts to bring his AFL total to 15.

Cardinals stats through five weeks

Left-hander Brycen Mautz pitched two scoreless innings this past week, allowing two hits while not walking anybody. The solid week doesn’t make his season stats much prettier as his ERA is still 6.75.

Alex Cornwell had a decent week, pitching 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out two. The lefty’s ERA is now down to 5.40, but he has given up 12 hits in just 8 1/3 innings pitched.

Right-hander Trent Baker did not make an appearance this week.

Thomas Saggese had a rough week by his standards. The Arizona Fall League All-Star’s OPS dropped 83 points to 1.118 and his batting average fell from .431 to .391 after he went 3-for-13 in the last week.

Nathan Church

Nathan Church raised his OPS to .766 by going 4-for-10 with two RBI. Despite seeing the ball with a .348 batting average and just four strikeouts, Church has struggled to walk, with only two in his 48 plate appearances.

Leonardo Bernal had a decent week despite limited playing time. The catcher went 3-for-7 to raise his batting average to .282 and his OPS to .692.

Glendale remains tied with Salt River for second/third place, two games behind Surprise. The final three games matter, as the second and third place teams will face off on Friday for the right to play the first-place squad for the league title on Saturday.

Tuesday’s game: at Surprise Saguaros, RHP Andrew Painter (1-0, 2.08) vs. Shane Panzini RHP (1-1, 5.25) 2:30 CT.

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Ixan Henderson in His Own Words

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

In Saturday’s Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, 2B Thomas Saggese drew two walks, stole a base and scored as the NL lost to the AL, 6-5.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Saturday, November 9.

NL Fall Stars 5, AL Fall Stars 6

The National League Fall Stars fell to the American League Fall Stars 6-5 on Saturday at Mesa’s Sloan Park.

Thomas Saggese was the only St. Louis Cardinal selected, starting at second base and batting third for the NL squad. In three plate appearances, he went 0-for-1 with two walks, a steal and a run scored.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese walked in the first, walked in the third, stole second, and later came home on an RBI groundout, and lined out in the fourth. The Cardinals Fall Star was replaced in the sixth.

The entire AFL, including the Glendale Desert Dogs (14-12), are off Sunday.

Monday’s game: at Mesa Solar Sox (13-13), TBD vs. TBD 4:30 CT.

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How the 2024 Cardinals Fared in the SABR Defensive Index

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Leonardo Bernal and Nathan Church (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs cruised to an 8-1 win over the first-place Surprise Saguaros on Thursday. Cardinals catcher Leonardo Bernal reached base four times and plated two. Nathan Church and Thomas Saggese were on base twice each.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, November 7.

Glendale Desert Dogs 8 at Surprise Saguaros 1

Three St. Louis Cardinals participated in the Glendale Desert Dogs (14-12) 8-1 win over the first-place Surprise Saguaros (16-8) on Thursday at Surprise Stadium.

Starting catcher Leonardo Bernal went 3-for-4 plus a walk and two RBI from the sixth spot. Left fielder Nathan Church was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored while hitting second. Thomas Saggese was third in the lineup as the designated hitter, going 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored.

Bernal started with an RBI single past the second baseman in the first, struck out in the third, hit another RBI single to the same spot to drive in Saggese in the fifth, walked in the seventh, and singled in the ninth.

Leonardo Bernal

Bernal committed a throwing error from behind the dish while allowing the Saguaros to steal three times and throwing out one.

Nathan Church

In the first, Church singled for the first Glendale hit of the game and later came home on an RBI single. He hit an RBI single in the second but was later caught stealing. Church flied out in the fourth, struck out in the sixth, and grounded out in the eighth.

Church had an outfield assist in the fourth when a relay caught a runner attempting to advance to third.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese flied out in the first, walked in the second and walked in the fifth and later came home on Bernal’s RBI single. He grounded out in the seventh and popped out in the eighth to the first baseman.

The Desert Dogs will be off until Monday due to the Arizona Fall League All-Star break. It will be the final week of league play.

With Thursday’s win, Glendale is tied for second place, three games behind Surprise. The top three teams in the league reach the playoffs, to be held next Friday and Saturday. However, four teams are within two games of second place, so the participants could easily change based on the outcome of the final four games, to be played this coming Monday through Thursday.

The Home Run Derby, with no Cardinals participating, will be this Friday night. The Fall Stars Game will be held on Saturday. Rosters will be announced on Friday. Sunday will be a league-wide off day.

Monday’s game: at Mesa Solar Sox (13-13), TBD vs. TBD 4:30 CT.

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Memphis/Glendale Manager Ben Johnson in His Own Words

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs lost a wild 13-11 contest at Salt River on Monday. Four Cardinals played. Thomas Saggese doubled and walked, Nathan Church singled and scored and Ixan Henderson and Alex Cornwell pitched in relief. Manager Ben Johnson was ejected.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Monday, November 4.

Glendale Desert Dogs 11 at Salt River Rafters 13

The Glendale Desert Dogs (12-10) fell to the Salt River Rafters (13-10) in a wild 13-11 slugfest on Monday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Four Cardinals participated in the loss.

Thomas Saggese started at second base, Nathan Church entered as a defensive replacement in right field, and Alex Cornwell and Ixan Henderson pitched in relief.

Thomas Saggese

In five plate appearances, Saggese doubled and walked. The number three batter flied out in the first to the right fielder. In the third, he doubled and tried to steal third base. Saggese was successful as the third baseman bobbled the throw for an error (see lead photo). He did not score, however. With the bases loaded, the Dogs batter hit a weak chopper in front of home plate. With nowhere to go, Saggese was tagged out by the third baseman.

Saggese grounded out to the shortstop in the fourth, walked in the sixth but was stranded, and grounded out in the eighth.

Nathan Church

Nathan Church entered the game in the sixth, going 1-for-2 with a run scored. He singled in the seventh and came home on an RBI single but flied out in the ninth to the center fielder.

Ixan Henderson

Struggling with his control and perhaps a tight strike zone, Ixan Henderson took his first AFL loss plus a blown save. He allowed four runs on a hit while walking four and striking out one in 2/3 of an inning pitched.

The lefty entered the game in the fourth, walking the first batter and then giving up a double to put two runners in scoring position. The left-hander threw a wild pitch that let one run score, forced a groundout to the third baseman, walked the next three batters to force in a run, and struck out the final batter he faced.

At that point, Henderson had already thrown 37 pitches in the inning (with just 15 strikes), leading to Glendale manager Ben Johnson pulling him with two outs.

Ben Johnson ejected (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Frustration may have boiled over for Johnson. Just moments later, in the top of the fifth with the Dogs down 9-6, Otto Kemp of the Phillies hit what appeared to be a home run down the left field line. The tally went on the board, but the Rafters protested. After a meeting among all four umpires, the call was reversed.

Johnson was incensed, with his booming protest audible all over the stadium. Soon, he was ejected. But the game was delayed because at Salt River, the clubhouses are only accessible from a gate in center field. Johnson had to take the long walk alone, sort of the reverse path of a reliever coming in from the bullpen.

Alex Cornwell

Alex Cornwell threw 2 2/3 innings, yielding one run on two hits while walking and striking out two. 18 of his 38 pitches went for strikes.

The lefty inherited the bases loaded in the fifth with one out and did a nice job escaping the jam. The first batter hit a comebacker, allowing Cornwell to turn a 2-1-3 double play. In the sixth, he retired the side with a strikeout, groundout, and lineout. He walked the first two batters in the seventh and forced the next hitter to ground into a double play before giving up an RBI single. Cornwell ended the inning by striking out the batter.

The Desert Dogs’ Sunday game that was suspended in the first inning due to rain will be made up on Tuesday as part of a doubleheader.

Tuesday’s games: at Scottsdale Scorpions (9-13), RHP Eriq Swan (0-0, 5.19) vs. Khristian Curtis RHP (1-1, 6.97) 5:30 CT (Game One), vs. Scottsdale Scorpions, RHP Andrew Painter (1-0, 2.70) vs. Kendry Rojas LHP (0-1, 8.10) 7:30 CT (Game Two).

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2024 Cardinals Minor League Leaders – Pitching Counting Stats

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs were a victim of rain, with their Sunday game suspended in the first inning. Thomas Saggese struck out before play was stopped. We recap all eight Cardinals’ AFL results through Week 4.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Sunday, November 3.

Glendale Desert Dogs 0 at Scottsdale Scorpions 0 (suspended)

The Glendale Desert Dogs’ (12-9) game against the Scottsdale Scorpions (9-12) was suspended during the bottom of the first due to rain on Sunday at Scottsdale Stadium.

Rain fell for a period prior to the game, but it had stopped by the 5:00 p.m. local time start. Even so, a decision was made to delay the first pitch by one hour. During that time, it did not rain at all. However, almost immediately upon the start of play, it began to pour.

Thomas Saggese was the only Cardinal in the starting lineup. The second baseman struck out in his first at-bat while hitting third in the batting order. In the above photo, fans were scurrying for cover as Saggese stepped up to the plate.

Thomas Saggese

In the AFL season, Saggese is slashing .431/.554/.647/1.201, leading the Desert Dogs in batting average, OBP, and OPS while also first with 12 walks. Among AFL leaders, Saggese is first in OBP, third in OPS and tied for fifth in walks.

Cardinals Through Week 4

Catcher Leonardo Bernal has struggled offensively, going 8-for-32 (.250) with seven singles and a home run. Center fielder Nathan Church has been more reliable, hitting 12-for-36 (.333) with a triple, three RBI, and a .757 OPS.

Ixan Henderson

LHP Ixan Henderson has been solid, pitching 8 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run while walking three and striking out 11. RHP Trent Baker has also been a reliable arm, posting a 1-1 record. Baker has a 2.57 ERA in seven innings pitched. The two are piggybacking starts.

LHP Alex Cornwell has had a rough start in the AFL, allowing four runs in j5 2/3 innings pitched for a 6.35 ERA. RHP Matt Svanson has put up a 7.94 ERA with a save. While he has struggled to keep runs from scoring, the reliever has fanned 12 in just 5 2/3 innings pitched.

LHP Brycen Mautz has allowed six runs in six innings pitched while striking out 10. The lefty has held the opposition to a .190 batting average against, but he has struggled with walks as he has given up more walks, six, than hits, four.

In the AFL standings, the 12-9 Desert Dogs are two games behind first place Surprise (14-7).

Monday’s game: at Salt River Rafters (12-10), TBD vs. TBD 7:30 CT.

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2024 Cardinals Minor League Leaders – Speed Stats

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Springfield Cardinals)

On Thursday, the Glendale Desert Dogs lost 10-1 to the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium. Cardinals third baseman Thomas Saggese doubled in four plate appearances.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, October 31.

Glendale Desert Dogs 1 at Scottsdale Scorpions 10

Only one St. Louis Cardinal participated in Thursday’s game in which the Glendale Desert Dogs (11-9) lost 10-1 to the Scottsdale Scorpions (8-12) at Scottsdale Stadium.

Thomas Saggese started at third base and doubled with three strikeouts in four plate appearances. He also participated in a 6-4-3 double play in the field.

Hitting in the cleanup spot, Saggese struck out in the second, the fourth, and the ninth. His lone hit came when he led off the seventh inning with a double to right field. He was stranded there.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese was one of only three Desert Dogs to tally a hit in the loss and contributed three of his team’s 18 strikeouts.

With this performance, Saggese has a .404 batting average and a 1.158 OPS in 13 AFL games to date.

Friday’s game: vs. Mesa Solar Sox, RHP Connor Phillips (0-1, 6.10) vs. T.J. Fondtain LHP (0-1, 6.43) 2:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Springfield Cardinals)

Four St. Louis Cardinals participated in the Glendale Desert Dogs’ 8-4 victory over the Peoria Javelinas. Second baseman Thomas Saggese went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored. Nathan Church, Trent Baker, and Ixan Henderson also played.

Glendale Desert Dogs 8, Peoria Javelinas 4

The Glendale Golden Dogs (10-7) crushed the Peoria Javelinas (5-11) 8-4 on Sunday at Camelback Ranch. Second baseman Thomas Saggese, center field Nathan Church, and left-handed pitcher Ixan Henderson started in today’s game. Trent Baker pitched two innings of relief.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese hit second and went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored. He walked in the first but was thrown out while trying to steal second later in the inning.

The second baseman led off the fourth inning with a single and was brought home on an RBI double in the next at-bat. In the fifth, Saggese’s two-RBI double brought home the game-winning run, making the score 5-1 and he later came around to score on an RBI single.

Saggese lined out to the right fielder in the sixth and walked in the eighth to end his day.

Nathan Church

Church was seventh in the batting order and was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Church grounded out to the shortstop in the second. His RBI single in the fourth extended the Golden Dog’s lead to 3-1. He ended his day with a flyout to the left fielder in the fifth and a pop-out to the second baseman in the eighth.

Ixan Henderson

Henderson started for Glendale, throwing three innings, and allowing one run, none earned, on a hit while walking one and striking out four. He forced the first batter to fly out to the right fielder, struck out the second batter, walked the third, and forced a ground out to the first baseman.

In the second inning, he struck out the side in order. In the third, he forced the first hitter to ground out to the catcher, the second batter reached on a fielding error and Henderson plunked the third batter. Henderson then picked off the runner on second before giving up an RBI single. He earned the final out on a forceout to the shortstop.

Trent Baker

Baker earned his first win this season, pitching two scoreless innings and yielding three walks while striking out two. He came into the game in the fourth, striking out the first batter and forcing the next two to fly out and ground out.

In the fifth, he struck out the first batter and forced the second one to pop out to Saggese. He walked the next three batters, but Baker forced the final hitter to ground out to end the inning.

The Desert Dogs are off Monday.

Tuesday’s game: at Salt River Rafters (8-8), TBD vs. TBD 2:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 27, 2024

October 27, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Leonardo Bernal (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs fell to 9-7 with Saturday’s home loss to Mesa. Cardinals designated hitter Leonardo Bernal walked twice in three plate appearances.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Saturday, October 26.

Glendale Golden Dogs 4, Mesa Solar Sox 5 (7 innings)

The Glendale Golden Dogs (9-7) failed to complete a comeback, ending their two-run final inning with the bases loaded, resulting in a 5-4 loss to the Mesa Solar Sox (10-6) in seven innings on Saturday at Camelback Ranch.

Leonardo Bernal was the only St. Louis Cardinals prospect who played on Saturday, hitting 0-for-1 with two walks as the designated hitter.

Leonardo Bernal

Bernal walked in the third and was picked off during the next at-bat. He flied out to the right fielder in the fifth and walked in the seventh before being replaced by a pinch-runner.

Defensively, Bernal threw out his only attempted base stealer.

Sunday’s game: vs. Peoria Javelinas (5-11), StL LHP Ixan Henderson (0-0, 1.69) vs. Ryan Birchard RHP (0-0. 3.38) 2:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Brycen Mautz (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs improved to 9-5 with Thursday’s win at Salt River. Reliever Brycen Mautz had a rough day, allowing five runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, October 24.

Glendale Desert Dogs 9 at Salt River Rafters 6

The Glendale Desert Dogs defeated the Salt River Rafters 9-6 on Thursday at Salt River Field at Talking Stick.

Brycen Mautz was the only St. Louis Cardinals prospect to participate. The lefty pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on two hits while walking three and striking out one.

Brycen Mautz

Mautz was brought in to pitch the eighth inning with an 9-0 lead but had a rocky performance. He walked the first three batters before striking out the fourth, then gave up an RBI single, threw a wild pitch that let a run score, and yielded an RBI single that made the score 9-3. He was relieved after the single, and the two runners he left on base later came around to score in the inning.

Glendale is 9-5 and tied with Surprise for first place in the Arizona Fall League.

Friday’s game: vs. Salt River Rafters, RHP Jerming Rosario (1-1, 12.46) vs. Gabriel Hughes RHP (1-0, 10.80) 2:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 18, 2024

October 18, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Brycen Mautz (Palm Beach Cardinals)

The Glendale Desert Dogs fell to 5-4 after Thursday’s blowout defeat. Reliever Brycen Mautz threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, second baseman Thomas Saggese singled and walked but catcher Leonardo Bernal went 0-for-4.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, October 17.

Glendale Desert Dogs 1, Surprise Saguaros 7

The Glendale Desert Dogs (5-4) were crushed by the Surprise Saguaros (5-4) by a 7-1 score on Thursday at Goodyear Ballpark.

Three Cardinals participated. Thomas Saggese started at second base, and Leonardo Bernal was the starting catcher for Glendale. In his relief appearance, Brycen Mautz pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, though he allowed an inherited runner to come home.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese was one of only three Desert Dogs with a hit on Thursday, going 1-for-3 with a walk while batting third. He flied out in the first, walked in the fourth and stole second, struck out looking in the fifth, and singled in the eighth.

Leonardo Bernal

Bernal went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts while hitting eighth. He flied out to the left fielder in the third and the fifth and was called out on strikes in the seventh and the ninth. Bernal committed a throwing error after his pitcher threw a wild pitch. He caught one runner stealing but allowed two others to steal a base successfully.

Brycen Mautz

Mautz pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out two. He came into the game with one out away in the fifth with runners on second and third. He allowed a sacrifice fly to the first batter and struck out the next batter for the third out. In the sixth, Mautz struck out the first batter, forced the second to ground out, walked the third, and forced the final hitter to ground out.

Friday’s game: vs. Mesa Solar Sox, RHP Andrew Painter (PHI) (0-0, 9.00) vs. Grant Kipp RHP (0-0, 0.00) 2:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 16, 2024

October 16, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Springfield Cardinals)

The Glendale Desert Dogs (5-2) demolished the Peoria Javelinas 19-9 on Tuesday powered by a 10-run eighth inning. Thomas Saggese doubled, singled twice, walked and scored three times.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Tuesday, October 15.

Glendale Desert Dogs 19 at Peoria Javelinas 9

The Glendale Desert Dogs demolished the Peoria Javelinas 19-9 on Tuesday thanks to a 10-run eighth inning. Thomas Saggese doubled, singled twice, walked and scored three times.

Saggese started at second base, going 3-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored while batting second in the lineup. Alex Cornwell pitched the sixth and Matt Svanson pitched the eighth.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese tallied Glendale’s first hit with a single in the first and was brought home on a two-run bomb. He doubled to lead off the third and scored on a sacrifice fly. He struck out swinging in the fourth and reached on a fielding error in the sixth that plated a runner. Saggese walked in the eighth and later came home on a bases-loaded walk, and singled later in the same inning as the Desert Dogs scored 10 times.

Saggese committed a throwing error and assisted on a double play in the third.

Alex Cornwell

Cornwell allowed one run on three hits while striking out two. The lefty gave up a single and committed a throwing error while attempting a pickoff. He gave up an RBI groundout, a double, and a single before striking out the next two batters to end the inning.

Matt Svanson

Swanson yielded one run, none earned, on no hits while walking one and striking out one. He walked the first batter he faced and then forced the next batter to ground out. Svanson’s wild pitch let the runner score. He then struck out the next batter and forced the final batter to fly out.

Wednesday’s game: vs. Surprise Saguaros (2-4), RHP Connor Phillips (0-0, 0.00) vs. Juan Rojas LHP (1-0, 0.00) 12:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Brycen Mautz (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

In the AFL, Glendale improved to 4-2 on Monday as four Cardinals contributed. LH Brycen Mautz fanned three in 1 1/3 relief frames. Nathan Church and Leonardo Bernal reached base three times each and Thomas Saggese twice.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Monday, October 14.

Glendale Desert Dogs 5 at Peoria Javelinas 3

The Glendale Desert Dogs (4-2) defeated the Peoria Javelinas (2-4) 5-3 on Monday at Peoria Stadium.

Four St. Louis Cardinals prospects contributed to the win. Thomas Saggese batted fifth as the starting designated hitter. Leonardo Bernal started at catcher and hit eighth. Right-fielder Nathan Church was sixth in the lineup. Brycen Mautz threw 1 1/3 perfect relief innings with three strikeouts.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese reached base twice, going 1-for-4 with a walk. He grounded out in the first, flied out in the third, walked in the fifth, but was caught stealing second, singled in the seventh, and struck out looking in the ninth.

Nathan Church

Church went 2-for-4 plus a walk, a stolen base and scored a run. He struck out swinging in the second, singled in the fourth, then stole second and was brought home by Bernal, popped out in the sixth, walked in the seventh, and singled in the ninth.

Leonardo Bernal

Bernal was 3-for-5, all singles, with a stolen base and an RBI. He struck out swinging in the second, drove in Church in the fourth on an RBI single, and later stole third. He singled in the sixth and the eighth but ended his game with a swinging strikeout. In the field, Bernal was given an error for catcher’s interference.

Brycen Mautz

Mautz entered in a critical situation and produced. Glendale had just allowed the lead run with two outs in the fifth and two Peoria runners remained in scoring position. The lefty struck out his first batter to escape the jam. In the sixth, he forced the first batter to ground out and struck out the next two batters in eight pitches. 14 of his 20 total pitches went for strikes.

Tuesday’s game: RHP Grant Taylor (1-0, 27.00) vs. Patrick Monteverde LHP (0-0, 3.00)

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 13, 2024

October 13, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Springfield Cardinals)

The Glendale Desert Dogs fell to 3-2 after Saturday’s blowout defeat. Second baseman Thomas Saggese homered, walked, drove in two and scored. Reliever Trent Baker took the loss in his AFL debut.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Saturday, October 12.

Glendale Desert Dogs 2 at Scottsdale Scorpions 10

The Glendale Desert Dogs (3-2) were crushed by the Scottsdale Scorpions (2-3) 10-2 on Saturday at Scottsdale Stadium in 101-degree heat.

Thomas Saggese started at second base and Trent Baker was brought in as a relief pitcher in the third inning. Saggese went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored.

Thomas Saggese

The number two batter walked in the first, hit a two-run bomb to right field in the third to tie the game at two apiece, and flied out to the center fielder in the fifth and the seventh.

Baker took the loss in his AFL debut after pitching two innings and allowing two runs on a hit (a home run) while plunking one and walking one.

Trent Baker

Baker entered the game in the third, hitting the first batter, forcing a double play, walking the next batter, and then giving up a two-run shot to right field to give up the lead before retiring the final batter on a flyout.

Baker only needed six pitches in the fourth, retiring the three batters he faced on a lineout, flyout, and groundout. After 28 pitches thrown, including 16 strikes, Baker’s day was done.

Glendale is off Sunday.

Monday’s game: at Peoria Javelinas (2-3), TBD vs. TBD 3:30 CT.

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Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – October 11, 2024

October 11, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs improved to 2-1 in the AFL as four Cardinals prospects contributed to Thursday’s win. Designated hitter Thomas Saggese singled, doubled, walked, drove in a run and scored twice.

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Thursday, October 10.

Glendale Desert Dogs 13, Peoria Javelinas 6

The Glendale Desert Dogs (2-1) crushed the Peoria Javelinas 13-6 on Thursday evening under 99 degree heat at Goodyear Ballpark.

Four St. Louis Cardinals participated in the win. Batting seventh, Leonardo Bernal started at catcher, number two batter Thomas Saggese was the designated hitter, Brycen Mautz came in to pitch the eighth, and Matt Svanson closed the game in the ninth.

In his first AFL start, Bernal went 0-for-5 including two strikeouts. He struck out to lead off the second and grounded out to end the seven-run second inning. He also grounded out in the fourth and eighth before striking out in the sixth.

Thomas Saggese

Saggese had a 2-for-4 evening with a walk. It began with an RBI double in the first after which he later scored on another RBI double. He walked in the second and later came home on an RBI single, and he singled in the seventh. Saggese grounded out in the fourth and struck out in the fifth.

Mautz threw an inning, allowing one run on two hits while walking one and striking out one. In the 19-run game, Svanson was the only one of five Desert Dog pitchers to throw a scoreless inning, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Friday’s game: vs. Scottsdale Scorpions, RHP Griff McGarry (0-0, 0.00, PHI) vs. Noah Hall RHP (0-0, 0.00, NYM) 8:30 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 23, 2024

September 23, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Cesar Prieto (Memphis Redbirds)

The St. Louis Cardinals system finished 2024 with a Sunday Memphis win, the Triple-A team’s first .500 or better year since 2018. TCN’s Player of the Day, 2B Cesar Prieto, had three hits including a double, drove in two and scored twice. Other standouts include Alfonso Rivas, Chandler Redmond and Nick Raquet.

Results from the Triple-A game played on Sunday, September 22.

Memphis 8, Durham 6

The Memphis Redbirds (36-37) ended their season with an 8-6 win over the Durham Bulls (36-39, TB) on Sunday at AutoZone Park. In his return from the injured list, starter Ian Bedell threw a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk.

The Redbirds struck quickly in the first with César Prieto’s RBI single, Alfonso Rivas III’s RBI double, Nick Dunn’s two-RBI single, and Chandler Redmond’s two-run bomb to center field.

Chandler Redmond

REDMOND PLAYS FOR THE REDBIRDS!@HueysRestaurant HOMER IN THE SEASON FINALE pic.twitter.com/TYTBU43z6j

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 22, 2024

The Bulls responded in the second when a runner scored on a double play. They brought the game to within two in the third on a three-run homer to left-center field.

Memphis added an insurance run in the fifth on Prieto’s RBI single.

César Prieto

Prieto provides again! pic.twitter.com/VhU6wftMPz

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 22, 2024

The Redbirds added another one in the seventh on Rivas III’s RBI single.

Alfonso Rivas

Rivas rakes! pic.twitter.com/iG8MCEh1f7

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 22, 2024

Durham tried to claw back into the game in the eighth with a grounder into a double play that plated a run followed by a solo home run, but it was not enough.

Victor Santos earned his sixth win this season, yielding a run, none earned, on a hit while walking one in one inning. Wilking Rodriguez pitched an inning, giving up three runs on three hits while walking two and striking out one. Nick Raquet surrendered a hit while striking out one in three innings pitched. Andre Granillo struck out one in an inning pitched. Chris Roycroft threw an inning, conceding two runs on four hits while walking one. Ryan Loutos threw a scoreless inning to earn his 18^th save this season, striking out one in the process. Memphis allowed six runs, five earned, on 10 hits while walking five and striking out four.

Prieto was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Rivas III went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. Redmond was 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. The Redbirds totaled eight runs on 12 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Redbirds ended their season with a 4-2 series victory over the Durham Bulls. Memphis finished the second half of the season in sixth place in the International League West Division, 11.5 games back of the first-place Columbus Clippers (48-26, CLE).

Overall, Memphis finished the 2024 season with a 74-74 record, putting them in fifth place in their division. It marked the Triple-A team’s first season at .500 or better since 2018.

What is next

The Cardinal Nation’s daily Arizona Fall League Notebooks covering Cardinals prospects on the Glendale Desert Dogs will return for the 2024 season starting on Wednesday morning, October 9.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 21, 2024

September 21, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Nolan Gorman (Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-1 on Friday as Springfield was eliminated. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Memphis DH Nolan Gorman, went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run scored. Other standouts include Matt Lloyd, Jimmy Crooks and Matt Koperniak.

Results for games played Friday, September 20^th.

Memphis 8, Durham 5

On Friday, the Memphis Redbirds (34-37) defeated the Durham Bulls (36-37, TB) 8-5 at AutoZone Park. Starter Gordon Graceffo pitched six innings, allowing five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out three.

The Redbirds struck first in the first with Gavin Collins’ two-run bomb to left field.

Gavin Collins

GAVIN GO BOOM!

FIRST INNING @HueysRestaurant HOMER pic.twitter.com/EoeFEo1Ngh

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024

The Bulls responded in the top of the fifth with a solo shot to cut their deficit to 2-1.

Memphis extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth on Matt Koperniak’s RBI single.

Matt Koperniak

Koperniak rakes! pic.twitter.com/ieRpyfeqTN

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024

Durham took the lead in the sixth with an RBI single, a solo homer, and a two-run home run.

The home team regained the lead in the seventh on César Prieto’s two-RBI double and Ramon Mendoza’s RBI single.

César Prieto

PRIETO PLAYS PONG pic.twitter.com/7q67C8lTVn

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024

The Redbirds continued to extend their lead in the eighth on Nolan Gorman’s two-RBI double.

Nolan Gorman

Embrace chaos! Gorman doubles! pic.twitter.com/AnuLiRT6TB

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024

Gorman went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run scored. Koperniak was 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored. Collins hit 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored. The Redbirds totaled eight runs on 11 hits with six walks and six strikeouts.

Andre Granillo pitched two scoreless innings, earning his fourth win this season, and yielding a walk while striking out four. Chris Roycroft threw a scoreless inning to earn his sixth save this season while striking out one. Memphis allowed five runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out eight.

Saturday’s game: vs. Durham, LHP Zach Thompson vs. TBD 3:05 CT.

Springfield 5, Arkansas 6

The Springfield Cardinals (1-2) were eliminated in the Division Series by the Arkansas Travelers (2-1, SEA) after their 6-5 loss on Friday at Hammons Field. Starter Trent Baker threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one.

The Travelers struck first in the first with a solo homer and extended their lead in the second on a two-run home run. Arkansas took a 5-0 lead in the top of the fifth when they hit an RBI double and an RBI single.

The Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Nathan Church’s RBI single, Matt Lloyd’s three-run moonshot right-center field, and Jacob Buchberger’s RBI single.

Matt Lloyd

HIS NAME IS MATT LLOYD. THREE RUN SHOT. WE ARE ALIVE. pic.twitter.com/eCWtNfqkck

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 21, 2024

The visitors regained the lead in the sixth with a solo shot to make the score 6-5.

Andrew Marrero pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four. Ryan Shreve threw a scoreless 1/3 of an inning. Jack Ralston took his first loss this postseason, yielding three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two.

Nathanael Heredia pitched two scoreless innings, surrendering a hit while striking out three. Matt Svanson threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk. Springfield allowed six runs on 14 hits while walking four and striking out 10.

Lloyd went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored. Jimmy Crooks was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Noah Mendlinger hit 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled five runs on 10 hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

Saturday’s game: No game, the season has concluded.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 20, 2024

September 20, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Leonardo Bernal (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 0-2 on Thursday as Springfield moves to a deciding Game 3. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield DH Leonardo Bernal, went 2-for-3 with a homer, an RBI, and two runs scored. Other standouts include Jacob Buchberger, Zane Mills and Bryan Torres.

Results for games played Thursday, September 19^th.

Memphis 0, Durham 4

The Memphis Redbirds were shut out by the Durham Bulls 4-0 on Thursday at AutoZone Park.

Starter Quinn Mathews took his second loss in two decisions at Triple-A, allowing three runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out five over six innings.

Quinn Mathews

HISTORY!

Quinn Mathews gets his 200th strikeout of the season!

In his first professional season, Mathews becomes the 10th Cardinals minor leaguer all time to reach 200 Ks.

Just the second MiLB pitcher to do so since 2011 pic.twitter.com/mNIuUtwN8n

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 20, 2024

The Bulls struck first in the fifth with an RBI single and extended their lead in the sixth with a two-RBI double. Durham added a final run in the eighth with a bases-loaded walk that made the score 4-0.

Wilking Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning while striking out one. Jacob Bosiokovic threw an inning, yielding a run on two hits while walking two. Connor Thomas pitched a scoreless inning, giving up two hits. Memphis allowed four runs on 12 hits while walking three and striking out six.

Mike Antico hit 2-for-4. Matt Koperniak was 1-for-3 with a walk. César Prieto went 2-for-4 with a triple. The Redbirds totaled no runs on five hits with a walk and 13 strikeouts.

Friday’s game: vs. Durham, RHP Gordon Graceffo (10-8, 4.72) vs. TBD 7:05 CT.

Springfield 6, Arkansas 9

The Springfield Cardinals (1-1) fell to the Arkansas Travelers (1-1, SEA) 9-6 in Game 2 of the Texas League North Division Series on Thursday at Hammons Field.

Starter Max Rajcic took his first loss this postseason, throwing 4 1/3 innings, and allowing four runs on six hits while striking out five.

The Travelers opened the scoring in the third with an RBI single.

The Cardinals responded in the fourth with Leonardo Bernal’s RBI single and Jacob Buchberger’s RBI single. Springfield led, 2-1, but only for half an inning.

Leonardo Bernal

Pinch-hit Leonardo Bernal single, chas on the bases to tie the game! pic.twitter.com/YrfdW0rOy3

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 20, 2024

In the fifth, Arkansas responded with an RBI double and after Rajcic allowed another single, Ryan Shreve was brought in to stop the bleeding. However, the move of Shreve from Memphis down to Springfield for the playoffs backfired.

The right-hander gave up two RBI singles and plunked a batter with the bases loaded, which ended his day and brought in Benito Garcia. Garcia failed too, surrendering a three-RBI double and an RBI single before the third out of the visitors’ fifth was finally secured. Springfield was down 9-2.

Springfield attempted to stay in the game in the seventh with Bernal’s solo bomb to right-center field, Chase Davis grounding into a double play that brought Buchberger home, and Bryan Torres’ solo moonshot to right-center, making the score 9-5.

Bryan Torres

The Cards will not go away quietly. Bryan Torres lifts off with a solo shot to trim the lead. pic.twitter.com/VL8EHM3oxC

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 20, 2024

The Cardinals could only add one more run in the ninth on Dakota Harris’ RBI double, losing by three.

Dakota Harris

Bernal went 2-for-3 with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Buchberger was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Torres hit 2-for-5 with a homer, an RBI, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled six runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts.

Shreve did not record an out while giving up four runs on two hits and walking one. Garcia pitched 2/3 of an inning, yielding one run on three hits.

Zane Mills

Zane Mills held the score, pitching four shutout innings while surrendering three hits and striking out six. Springfield allowed nine runs on 14 hits while walking one and striking out 11.

Friday’s game: vs. Arkansas, RHP Trent Baker (4-6, 4.89) vs. Logan Evans RHP (0-0) 6:35 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Zack Thompson (Memphis Redbirds)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 0-3 on Sunday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Memphis starter Zack Thompson who threw five shutout innings while striking out nine. Other standouts include Chris Rotondo, César Prieto, JJ Wetherholt, and Jon Jon Gazdar.

Results for games played Sunday, September 15^th.

Memphis 1 at Nashville 2 (10 innings)

The Memphis Redbirds (32-35) lost to the Nashville Sounds (37-28, MIL) 2-1 in 10 innings on Sunday at First Horizon Park. Starter Zack Thompson pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out nine.

Zack Thompson

César Prieto opened the scoring for the Redbirds in the top of the seventh with his solo moonshot to right field.

César Prieto

Prieto Power!@HueysRestaurant home run for the lead pic.twitter.com/cpewn6G2i3

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 16, 2024

The Sounds tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single.

Nashville walked it off on the first pitch they saw in the tenth with an RBI single.

Gordon Graceffo took his eighth loss this season, pitching four innings, and yielding two runs, one earned, on eight hits while walking and striking out one. Memphis allowed two runs, one earned on 10 hits while walking two and striking out 10.

Prieto went 1-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored. Arquímedes Gamboa, Nick Dunn, Chance Sisco, and Mike Antico each tallied a hit. The Redbirds totaled one run on five hits with a walk and 17 strikeouts.

The Memphis Redbirds split their series with the Nashville Sounds, winning two games apiece. The Redbirds will begin their final series this season on Tuesday against the Durham Bulls (34-35, TB).

Tuesday’s game: vs. Durham, TBD vs. TBD 6:45 CT.

Springfield 5 at San Antonio 9

The Springfield Cardinals (42-27) were defeated by the San Antonio Missions (31-37, SD) 9-5 on Sunday at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Starter Wilfredo Pereira pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three.

The Missions struck first in the second with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.

The Cardinals put a run on the board in the top of the fifth with Carlos Linarez’s RBI single.

Carlos Linarez

San Antonio responded in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double.

Springfield took the lead in the top of the sixth with Jacob Buchberger’s RBI single and Chris Rotondo’s three-run bomb to left-center field.

Chris Rotondo

Chris Rotondo catapults the Cards in front with a three-run shot! pic.twitter.com/JmSmGgaVPk

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 15, 2024

The home team regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Edwin Nuñez took the mound and threw a wild pitch that let one run score, giving up a two-RBI double, and another wild pitch let another run score later in the inning.

Leonardo Taveras relieved Nuñez and yielded an RBI single and an RBI groundout in the seventh.

Nuñez took his ninth loss this season, yielding four runs, two earned, on two hits while walking two and striking out one. Taveras pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out one. Ryan Shreve pitched a scoreless inning. Springfield allowed nine runs, seven earned, on 11 hits while walking seven and striking out five.

Rotondo went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and a run scored. R.J. Yeager was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Dakota Harris hit 1-for-3 with an HBP and two runs scored. The Cardinals totaled five runs on 10 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Springfield Cardinals split their series against the San Antonio Missions, winning three apiece. The Cardinals finished the second half of the season in second place, two games back of the Arkansas Travelers (44-25, SEA).

Springfield will face the Travelers on Tuesday in Game 1 of the best-of-three Texas League North Division Series. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be held at Hammons Field on Thursday and Friday.

Tuesday’s game: at Arkansas, TBD vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 6 at Lakeland 7

The Palm Beach Cardinals (0-1) fell 7-6 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers (1-0, DET) in Game 1 of the Florida State League Championship Series on Sunday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Starter Gerardo Salas threw three innings, allowing five runs on six hits while walking one and striking out one.

The Cardinals struck first in the first with JJ Wetherholt’s RBI single.

JJ Wetherholt

The Flying Tigers responded in the third with two RBI singles and a three-run shot to left-center field.

The Beach Birds brought the game to within two in the fifth with Ian Petrutz’s RBI double and Jon Jon Gazdar’s RBI single.

Ian Petrutz

They continued to take the lead in the sixth on Josh Kross’ two-RBI single and Gazdar’s RBI single.

Josh Kross

Lakeland regained the lead in the eighth with an RBI single and an RBI triple.

Leonel Sequera pitched three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out four. Michael Watson threw 1 1/3 innings, giving up a run on two hits. Luis Gastelum took his first loss this postseason, pitching 2/3 of an inning, and surrendering a run on two hits while striking out two. Palm Beach allowed seven runs on 11 hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Wetherholt hit 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Gazdar was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Petrutz went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled six runs on 13 hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

The Cardinals are off Monday.

Tuesday’s game: Game 2 of the best of three at Roger Dean Stadium, TBD vs. TBD 5:30 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 15, 2024

September 15, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Trent Baker (Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-0 on Saturday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Springfield starter Trent Baker who pitched five scoreless innings while striking out nine. Other standouts include R.J. Yeager and Dakota Harris.

Results for games played Wednesday, September 14.

Memphis – canceled

The Memphis Redbirds’ (32-34) doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds (36-28, MIL) was canceled due to rain and will not be made up. The series will continue on Sunday.

Sunday’s game: at Nashville, RHP Michael McGreevy (9-8, 4.02) vs. Logan Henderson RHP (1-3, 5.49) 6:05 CT.

Springfield 3 at San Antonio 2

The Springfield Cardinals (42-26) defeated the San Antonio Missions (30-37, SD) 3-2 on Saturday at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Starter Trent Baker earned his fourth win this season, throwing five scoreless innings, and allowing a hit while striking out nine.

Trent Baker

HISTORY: With this Trent Baker strikeout of Romeo Sanabria, the Springfield Cardinals pitching staff has set a new franchise record with 1,264 strikeouts this season. The new mark surpasses the 2019 club who held the record with 1,263. pic.twitter.com/8EymiS9CFK

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 15, 2024

The Cardinals struck first in the fifth with Nathan Church’s RBI sacrifice bunt, Jimmy Crooks’ sacrifice fly, and R.J. Yeager’s RBI single.

R.J. Yeager

RJ Yeager keeps the ball rolling with an RBI single as the Birds put up three in the fifth. pic.twitter.com/mORBP0imej

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 15, 2024

The Missions responded in the seventh with a two-run shot to bring the game to within one.

Nathanael Heredia pitched a scoreless inning, yielding a hit while striking out two. Jack Ralston threw 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out three. Matt Svanson earned his 27^th save this season, pitching 1 1/3 innings, and surrendering two hits while striking out one. Springfield allowed two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out 15.

Matt Svanson

With his 27th save tonight, Matt Svanson has now tied Mark Worrell (2006) and Chris Perez (2007) for the most saves by a Springfield Cardinals pitcher in a single season. pic.twitter.com/87oR5RBBrb

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 15, 2024

R.J. Yeager went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Church was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Dakota Harris hit 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled three runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Chris Rotondo swiped his seventh bag this season.

Sunday’s game: at San Antonio, RHP Wilfredo Pereira (5-2, 6.36) vs. Daniel Camarena LHP (0-2, 4.09) 1:05 CT.

Palm Beach – Off Saturday

The Palm Beach Cardinals were off on Saturday. The Cardinals will begin the Championship Series on Sunday against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (DET) in a best-of-three series.

Sunday’s game: at Lakeland, TBD vs. TBD 4:00 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 1-1 on Thursday as Palm Beach swept its divisional series. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Joshua Baez, went 3-for-3 including a home run, walked, stole a base and scored three runs. Other standouts include Leonardo Bernal, JJ Wetherholt and Josh Kross.

Results from games played Thursday, September 12.

Memphis at Nashville (postponed)

The Memphis Redbirds’ (32-33) game against the Nashville Sounds (35-28, MIL) was postponed due to inclement weather and will be played as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, September 14. The Redbirds will continue their road series on Friday evening.

Friday’s game: at Nashville, LH Quinn Mathews (0-1, 5.63) vs. Taylor Clarke RHP (2-4, 4.71) 6:35 CT.

Springfield 1 at San Antonio 4

The Springfield Cardinals (41-25) fell to the San Antonio Missions (29-36, SD) 4-1 on Thursday at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Starter Alex Cornwell threw a scoreless inning. There was no obvious injury or game delay to explain his truncated start. (In fact, the Missions’ broadcaster called the entire second inning, not noticing a right-hander had taken over for the Cardinals.)

Zane Mills replaced Cornwell to start the second, and in the fourth, he conceded a two-RBI double and two RBI singles as the Missions took a 4-0 lead.

The Cardinals earned one back in the seventh with Leonardo Bernal’s solo moonshot to right field.

Leonardo Bernal

Cardinals number 9 prospect Leonardo Bernal just launched his first Double-A homer 105 MPH off the bat. pic.twitter.com/HG4NSub0Ip

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 13, 2024

Bernal went 1-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored. Chris Rotondo was 1-for-3 with a double. Bryan Torres hit 1-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt. The Cardinals totaled one run on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Mills took his first loss this season, yielding four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. Edwin Nuñez threw two scoreless innings, walking four and striking out three. Leonardo Taveras pitched two scoreless innings while striking out three. Springfield allowed four runs on five hits while walking seven and striking out nine.

Friday’s game: at San Antonio, RHP Max Rajcic (10-11, 4.43) vs. Braden Nett RHP (0-0) 7:05 CT.

Palm Beach 12, Daytona 4

On Thursday, The Palm Beach Cardinals (2-0) crushed the Daytona Tortugas (0-2, CIN) 12-4 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to advance to the Championship Series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (2-0, DET). Starter Chen-Wei Lin threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits while walking two and striking out eight.

The Cardinals struck first in the second inning with Joshua Baez’s solo bomb to left-center field.

Joshua Baez

Baez Blast! pic.twitter.com/Fd9gPpafTo

— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) September 12, 2024

The Beach Birds added another run in the fourth with Josh Kross’ RBI double, but the Tortugas tied the game in the top of the fifth with a two-RBI double.

The Beach Birds responded in the bottom of the fifth with Jose Suarez’s RBI double, Ryan Campos reaching on a fielding error that plated JJ Wetherholt and Suarez, Ian Petrutz’s RBI single, Bryce Madron’s two-RBI single, a double steal by Madron and Christian Martin allowed Martin to score after a throwing error by the shortstop, and Wetherholt’s RBI single capped off the eight-run inning.

JJ Wetherholt

They added an insurance run in the sixth with Kross’ sacrifice fly.

Daytona tried to stay in the game in the top of the eighth with a two-run longball to right-center field.

Josh Kross

Palm Beach added one final run in the bottom of the eighth on Kross’ RBI single.

Baez went 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, an RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored. Wetherholt hit 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Madron was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Cardinals totaled 12 runs on 18 hits with three walks and eight strikeouts. Kross had two hits and plated three.

Jason Savacool earned his first win this postseason, pitching 2 2/3 innings, and yielding two hits while striking out two. Henry Gomez pitched an inning, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out two. Luis Gastelum threw a scoreless inning while striking out all three batters faced. Palm Beach allowed four runs, three earned on eight hits while walking two and striking out 15.

What is next: The Cardinals swept the Tortugas and advanced to the Championship Series to face the West Division Lakeland Flying Tigers (Det) in a best-of-3 set. Game 1 will be played on Sunday at Lakeland. Games 2 and 3 (if required) will be held at Roger Dean on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 9, 2024

September 9, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Darlin Saladin (Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system had a 3-1 Sunday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Peoria RH Darlin Saladin, threw six scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Other standouts include Miguel Villarroel, Alex Iadisernia, Ian Petrutz, Ryan Campos and Jon Jon Gazdar.

Results of games played on Sunday, September 8.

Memphis 2, Omaha 3

The Memphis Redbirds (30-33) were edged by the Omaha Storm Chasers (33-30, KC) 3-2 on Sunday at AutoZone Park.

Starter Zack Thompson took his sixth loss this season, allowing three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out four over five innings.

The Redbirds struck first in the second with Gavin Collins’ RBI single.

Gavin Collins

Just as Gavin planned! pic.twitter.com/D7wnJB6GPU

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 8, 2024

The Storm Chasers tied the game in the top of the fourth on a solo shot to left-center field.

Memphis regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning with César Prieto’s RBI double.

César Prieto

Baserunning wins ballgames! pic.twitter.com/Nt7WO3PShK

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 8, 2024

Omaha took the lead in the fifth with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly.

Connor Thomas threw two shutout innings while striking out three. Andre Granillo pitched two scoreless innings while walking one and striking out five. Memphis allowed three runs on five hits while walking four and striking out 12.

Prieto went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Collins was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Mike Antico hit 2-for-4. The Redbirds totaled two runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

The Redbirds took four games of six over the Storm Chasers. Memphis will travel to Nashville to face the Nashville Sounds (35-26, MIL) on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s game: at Nashville, TBD vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Springfield 4, NW Arkansas 3

The Springfield Cardinals (39-24) came from behind to win 4-3 over the NW Arkansas Naturals (30-32, KC) on Sunday at Hammons Field. Starter Trent Baker threw three innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking two and striking out three.

The Cardinals struck first in the second with Chris Rotondo’s RBI groundout.

The Naturals tied the game in the third with a bases-loaded walk and took the lead in the fourth with a two-run longball to left field.

Springfield regained the lead in the sixth with Noah Mendlinger’s sacrifice fly, Rotondo’s RBI single, and Carlos Linarez’s RBI groundout.

Chris Rotondo

Chris Rotondo CLUTCHES UP and singles into left on a two-strike breaking ball to tie the game. pic.twitter.com/XnCxRSTSBI

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 8, 2024

Chase Davis went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Matt Lloyd hit 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Rotondo was 1-for-4 with two RBI. The Cardinals totaled four runs on 10 hits with four walks and six strikeouts.

Zane Mills earned his fourth win this season, throwing 3 1/3 innings, and yielding two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out two. Jack Ralston threw 1 2/3 shutout innings, giving up two hits and three walks while striking out one. Matt Svanson closed out the game to earn his 25^th save this season, pitching a scoreless inning while walking one. Springfield allowed three runs on seven hits while walking seven and striking out six.

Matt Svanson

Matt Svanson: save number 25 ✅
Springfield: win number 76 ✅ pic.twitter.com/YfmvV6QD5R

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 9, 2024

The Cardinals split their series with the Naturals, three and three. The Cardinals travel to San Antonio to face the Missions (28-34, SD) on Tuesday for their last regular season series.

The Cardinals will face the Arkansas Travelers in the 2024 Texas League North Division Final. Game 1 of the best-of three series will be on the road Tuesday, September 17. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be played at Hammons Field on Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20.

Tuesday’s game: at San Antonio, TBD vs. TBD 7:05 CT.

Peoria 11, Lake County 0

The Peoria Chiefs (33-33) ended their season with an 11-0 shutout over the Lake County Captains (36-28, CLE) on Sunday at Dozer Park.

Starter Darlin Saladin earned his sixth win this season, pitching six shutout innings, and allowing six hits and a walk while striking out six.

Darlin Saladin

The Chiefs took an early lead in the first with Miguel Villarroel’s solo bomb to left-center field.

Miguel Villarroel

430ft Homer for Miguel Villarroel to start off the bottom of the 1st!
PEO 1| LC 0 pic.twitter.com/zBzcHj00nD

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) September 8, 2024

They extended their lead in the second on Darlin Moquete’s RBI single, Tre Richardson’s bases-loaded walk, Brayden Jobert’s two-RBI single, Alex Iadisernia’s RBI single, and Sammy Hernandez’s RBI single.

Peoria added four more in the fourth with Iadisernia’s two-run moonshot to right field, Won-Bin Cho’s RBI double, and Villarroel’s RBI single.

Alex Iadisernia

The game was marred by beanballs thrown by the visitors, leading to two Lake County pitchers being ejected as well as the manager, and later, the acting manager (bench coach) also getting thrown out.

Villarroel went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Iadisernia hit 2-for-5 with a homer, three RBI, and a run scored. Michael Curialle was 4-for-4 with a run scored. The Chiefs totaled 11 runs on 16 hits (one short of their season high) plus three walks and nine strikeouts.

Benjamin Arias threw two shutout innings, yielding a hit while striking out three. Hunter Hayes pitched a scoreless inning while striking out one. Peoria allowed no runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out 10.

The Chiefs dropped the home series to the Captains, winning two of six. Peoria ended the second half of the season at 33-33, in third place, five games behind the Quad Cities River Bandits (38-28, KC). Peoria’s full season record is 59-72.

Palm Beach 23 at Jupiter 8

The Palm Beach Cardinals (46-18) handily defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads (29-35, MIA) 23-8 on Sunday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Tekoah Roby threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his rehab start, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three. The prospect right-hander threw 22 strikes and 20 balls among his 42 pitches.

Tekoah Roby

The Cardinals struck first in the first with Jose Suarez’s RBI triple and Ian Petrutz’s RBI single.

Ian Petrutz

They extended their lead in the third on Petrutz’s two-RBI double, Josh Kross’ RBI triple, and Jon Jon Gazdar’s RBI single.

Jon Jon Gazdar

Palm Beach more than doubled their lead in the fourth on Kross’ bases-loaded walk, Gazdar’s two-RBI single, Cade McGee’s RBI two-RBI single, Bryce Madron’s RBI single, Ryan Campos’ RBI single, and J.J. Wetherholt’s two-RBI single.

Ryan Campos

The Beach Birds added one more run in the top of the fifth when Anyelo Encarnacion reached on an error that let Petrutz come home.

Hunter Kublick took the mound in the third, and in the bottom of the fifth, he walked a hitter with the bases loaded. Nelfy Ynfante replaced Kublick after the walk and threw a wild pitch that let a run score. Ynfante let another run score in the sixth on an RBI single.

The Beach Birds reached 20 runs in the top of the seventh with Madron’s RBI single, Campos’ two-RBI double, a passed ball that brought Madron home, and Suarez’s RBI groundout.

In the bottom of the seventh, Randel Clemente replaced Ynfante and gave up a bases-loaded walk, a two-RBI single, and an RBI single.

Palm Beach added three more runs in the eighth on McGee’s bases-loaded walk, Madron’s sacrifice fly, and Heriberto Caraballo’s RBI forceout.

Luis Gastelum took the mound in the ninth and conceded an RBI groundout.

Kublick earned his sixth win this season, throwing 1 2/3 innings, and allowing two runs on one hit while walking four. Ynfante pitched 1 2/3 innings, yielding one run on two hits while walking two and striking out one. Henry Gomez pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up a hit. Palm Beach allowed eight runs on eight hits while walking 11 and striking out six.

Petrutz went 3-for-5 with a double, a walk, three RBI, and three runs scored. Campos hit 4-for-4 with two doubles, two walks, three RBI, and four runs scored. Gazdar was 2-for-3 with two walks, three RBI, and three runs scored. The Cardinals totaled 23 runs on 20 hits with 11 walks and four strikeouts.

The Palm Beach Cardinals finished 2024 with a franchise-record 83 wins, taking the division in both halves of the season. Their 46-18 second-half mark was 12 games ahead of second-place Daytona, which received the second playoff berth.

The Cardinals will face the Daytona Tortugas (32-29, CIN) in the 2024 Florida State League East Division Final. Game 1 will be on the road Tuesday, September 10. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the best-of-three series will be played at Roger Dean on Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13.

Tuesday’s game: at Daytona, TBD vs. TBD 5:35 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 8, 2024

September 8, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Leonel Sequera (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-2. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, RH Leonel Sequera, tossed seven innings of one-run ball in Palm Beach’s win. Other standouts include Gordon Graceffo, Chase Davis, Ixan Henderson, Tyler Bradt and Joshua Baez.

Results for games played on Saturday, September 7.

Memphis 5, Omaha 4

The Memphis Redbirds (30-32) beat the Omaha Storm Chasers (32-30, KC) 5-4 on Saturday at AutoZone Park. Starter Gordon Graceffo earned his 10^th win this season, pitching 6 1/3 innings, and allowing three runs, two earned, on eight hits while walking four and striking out three.

Gordon Graceffo

The Redbirds struck first in the first with Thomas Saggese’s RBI double and two wild pitches that let him come home to make the score 2-0. Memphis extended its lead in the fourth with Nick Dunn’s RBI single and Chance Sisco grounded into a double play that plated Alfonso Rivas III.

The Storm Chasers took two runs back in the top of the fifth on a pair of RBI singles.

Memphis added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on Matt Koperniak’s RBI single.

Matt Koperniak

Koperniak comes thru! pic.twitter.com/Rn8gWDvXJO

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 8, 2024

Omaha responded in the seventh and eighth with solo shots to make the score 5-4.

Victor Santos threw 1 2/3 innings, yielding one run on one hit while striking out one. Ryan Loutos pitched a scoreless inning while striking out one. Memphis allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits while walking four and striking out five.

Saggese went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Dunn was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Koperniak hit 1-for-4 with an RBI. The Redbirds totaled five runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Sunday’s game: vs. Omaha, LHP Zack Thompson (3-5, 4.99) vs. TBD 1:05 CT.

Springfield 3, NW Arkansas 6

The Springfield Cardinals (38-24) fell to the NW Arkansas Naturals (30-31, KC) 6-3 on Saturday at Hammons Field. Starter Max Rajcic took his 11^th loss this season, throwing 4 1/3 innings, and allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits while walking two and striking out four.

The Cardinals took an early lead in the second on Chase Davis’ solo moonshot to right field, hit on his first swing as a Double-A player.

Chase Davis

How do you like that?! Chase Davis' first swing at the Double-A level leaves the yard for a solo shot! pic.twitter.com/EqolxXR5K7

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 8, 2024

The Naturals responded with a solo longball of their own in the third. NW Arkansas took the lead in the fourth on an RBI single and another run scored when Rajcic committed a missed catch error. The visitors added another insurance run in the top of the fifth on a solo homer.

Springfield made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fifth when Bryan Torres reached on an error that scored Davis and Chris Rotondo.

The visitors added two insurance runs in the eighth with a pair RBI singles.

Nathanael Heredia threw 2/3 of an inning, yielding a hit while striking out two. Leonardo Taveras pitched two scoreless innings while walking one and striking out one. Matt Svanson pitched an inning, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out one. Edwin Nuñez threw a scoreless inning, conceding a hit and two walks while striking out one. Springfield allowed six runs, five earned, on 13 hits while walking five and striking out nine.

Davis had a homer, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Jeremy Rivas and R.J. Yeager were the only other Cardinals to record a hit. The Cardinals totaled three runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Sunday’s game: vs. NW Arkansas, TBD vs. Luinder Avila RHP (6-4, 3.66) 4:35 CT.

One week still remains in the regular season, but the playoff matchups are set.

Peoria 1, Lake County 3

The Peoria Chiefs (32-33) lost 3-1 to the Lake County Captains (36-27, CLE) on Saturday at Dozer Park. Starter Ixan Henderson took his second loss this season, pitching five innings, and allowing two runs on six hits while walking five and striking out six.

Ixan Henderson

The Captains struck first in the sixth with a two-run home run to left field and carried a perfect game into the seventh.

The Chiefs had their first baserunner in the seventh on Darlin Moquete’s infield single. He came home on Chase Adkison’s RBI double.

Lake County added one final run in the ninth on an RBI single.

Tyler Bradt

Tyler Bradt threw three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two. Osvaldo Berrios pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit while walking one and striking out one. Peoria allowed three runs on eight hits while walking seven and striking out nine.

Adkison doubled, walked, and drove in the lone Peoria run. Darlin Moquete hit 2-for-4 with a run scored. Miguel Villarroel was the only other Chief with a hit. The Chiefs totaled a run on four hits with two walks and 12 strikeouts.

Sunday’s game: vs. Lake County, RHP Darlin Saladin (5-3, 3.79) vs. Rorik Maltrud RHP (4-3, 3.55) 2:05 CT.

This contest will conclude the Peoria Chiefs’ 2024 season.

Palm Beach 10 at Jupiter 6 (11 innings)

The Palm Beach Cardinals (45-18) defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads (29-34, MIA) 10-6 in extra innings on Saturday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. 19-year-old starter Leonel Sequera threw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits while walking one and striking out three.

Leonel Sequera

The Cardinals took an early lead in the first on RBI singles by J.J. Wetherholt and Jose Cordoba.

The Hammerheads earned one back in the third on an RBI single but Ross Friedrick took that run back in the fourth with his RBI single.

Palm Beach extended their lead in the sixth when Wetherholt was plunked with the bases loaded. They added another one in the seventh on Friedrick’s sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1.

Jupiter tied the game in the ninth on an RBI single and a three-RBI double.

The Beach Birds regained the lead in the top of the 10th on Maikel Hernandez’s RBI single.

The home team tied the game again in the bottom of the 10th with an RBI forceout.

Palm Beach took the lead again in the 11^th on Jose Suarez’s two-RBI single and Joshua Baez’s two-run bomb to left field.

Joshua Baez

Wetherholt went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Baez hit 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two RBI, and four runs scored. Hernandez was 2-for-3 with two walks, an RBI, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled 10 runs on 14 hits with five walks and nine strikeouts.

Augusto Calderon threw 1 2/3 innings, yielding four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out three. Nolan Sparks earned his third win this season, pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run, none earned, on two hits while walking two and striking out one. Michael Watson threw a scoreless inning while striking out three. Palm Beach allowed six runs, five earned, on 10 hits while walking four and striking out 10.

Sunday’s game: at Jupiter, TBD vs. TBD 11:00 CT. This will be the final game of the regular season.

The Cardinals will face the Daytona Tortugas in the 2024 Florida State League East Division Final. Game 1 will be on the road Tuesday, September 10. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the best-of-three series will be played at Roger Dean on Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 6, 2024

September 6, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Michael McGreevy (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 4-1 on Thursday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Memphis RHS Michael McGreevy, threw a seven-inning complete game with one run on two hits and 10 strikeouts. Other standouts include Sem Robberse, Chase Davis, Sammy Hernandez and J.J. Wetherholt.

Results from games played on Thursday, September 5.

Memphis 3, Omaha 1 (Game 1, seven innings)

The Memphis Redbirds (27-32) beat the Omaha Storm Chasers (32-27, KC) 3-1 on Thursday at AutoZone Park. It was the reschedule of Wednesday’s rainout.

Starter Sem Robberse pitched four scoreless innings, allowing a walk while striking out two.

Sem Robberse

The Redbirds struck first in the third on Chandler Redmond’s RBI single.

Chandler Redmond

Redmond puts us on top! pic.twitter.com/mHUVf08ZIf

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 5, 2024

Memphis added two insurance runs in the fourth on Matt Koperniak’s RBI double and Alfonso Rivas III’s RBI double.

Alfonso Rivas

Rivas rakes! pic.twitter.com/gvRZ8HKz0k

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 5, 2024

Omaha could only put one run on the board on an RBI single in the fifth.

Victor Santos received his fifth win this season, throwing an inning, and giving up one run on two hits while walking one. Chris Roycroft earned his fourth save this season, pitching two scoreless innings, and yielding three hits while walking one and striking out two. Memphis allowed one run on seven hits while walking three and striking out four.

Koperniak went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Rivas III hit 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Thomas Saggese was 1-for-2 with a double, an HBP, and a run scored. The Redbirds totaled three runs on just four hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Memphis 5, Omaha 1 (Game 2, seven innings)

The Memphis Redbirds (28-32) swept the doubleheader with a 5-1 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers (32-28, KC) on Thursday at AutoZone Park. Starter Michael McGreevy threw a complete game to earn his eighth win this season, pitching seven innings, and allowing one run on two hits while striking out 10.

Michael McGreevy

Omaha took the early lead in the first with an RBI single.

The Redbirds tied the game in the second with Ramon Mendoza’s sacrifice fly.

Mike Antico gave the home team the lead in the fourth with his three-RBI triple.

Mike Antico

Be like Mike! pic.twitter.com/pY8aLJRYnp

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 6, 2024

Memphis added one final insurance run in the fifth on Nolan Gorman’s solo dinger to right field.

Nolan Gorman

RETWEET IF NOLAN GORMAN GOT ALL OF THIS ONE@HueysRestaurant HOMER TO EXTEND THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/UehkH2E63q

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 6, 2024

Gorman went 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Antico was 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI. Gavin Collins hit 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored. The Redbirds totaled five runs on six hits with seven walks and four strikeouts.

Friday’s game: vs. Omaha, LHP Quinn Mathews (0-1, 6.75) vs. Noah Cameron LHP (2-1, 1.64) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 3, NW Arkansas 4

The Springfield Cardinals (37-23) lost to the NW Arkansas Naturals (29-30, KC) 4-3 on Thursday at Hammons Field. Starter Alex Cornwell took his third loss this season, pitching 6 1/3 innings, and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out eight.

Alex Cornwell

Alex Cornwell was solid again tonight for Springfield. The lefty comes within one K of matching a season-high as he strikes out eight tonight. pic.twitter.com/zJT2IudyUp

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 6, 2024

The Naturals struck first in the top of the third with two RBI singles.

The Cardinals responded in the bottom half of the inning with Nathan Church’s RBI single and Noah Mendlinger’s RBI single.

Noah Mendlinger

Noah Mendlinger sneaks one into left field to tie the game. pic.twitter.com/T4mTVLB1IU

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 6, 2024

NW Arkansas regained the lead in the seventh with two RBI doubles.

Springfield could only put up one run on Dakota Harris’ RBI single in the eighth.

Dakota Harris

Dakota Harris BATTLES his way through a nine-pitch at bat to ultimately drive in a run with a single. pic.twitter.com/IwJyf3DqMr

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 6, 2024

Bryan Torres was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Matt Lloyd went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Harris hit 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. The Cardinals totaled three runs on 10 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Leonardo Taveras threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, yielding two hits and a walk while striking out one. Trent Baker pitched a scoreless inning while striking out one. Springfield allowed four runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out 10.

Friday’s game: vs. NW Arkansas, RHP Wilfredo Pereira (5-2, 6.53) vs. Ben Kudrna RHP (2-3, 5.55)

Peoria 8, Lake County 3

The Peoria Chiefs (32-31) crushed the Lake County Captains (34-27, CLE) 8-3 on Thursday at Dozer Park. Starter Hancel Rincon earned his ninth win this season, throwing six innings, and allowing three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out eight.

Hancel Rincón

The Chiefs struck first when Brody Moore scored on a double steal attempt with Trey Paige that caused a throwing error by the opposing catcher.

Peoria broke the game open in the second on Chase Davis’ solo moonshot to right field, Won-Bin Cho’s RBI double, Alex Iadisernia’s RBI double, Sammy Hernandez’s two-run shot to left-center field, and Davis’ RBI single.

Sammy Hernandez

Sammy Hernandez hits a 2-run HR to keep the 3rd going!
PEO 6 | LC 0 pic.twitter.com/hteXAfIbQz

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) September 6, 2024

Lake County responded in the fourth with a two-RBI single and an RBI double.

The home team added one final insurance run in the fifth on Moore’s RBI groundout.

Chase Davis

Davis went 2-for-3 with a home run, a hit by pitch, two RBI, and a run scored. Cho hit 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Hernandez was 1-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and a run scored. The Chiefs totaled eight runs on 11 hits with eight walks and seven strikeouts.

Tyler Bradt threw two scoreless innings while striking out five. Osvaldo Berrios threw a scoreless inning while striking out two. Peoria allowed three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out 15.

Friday’s game: vs. Lake County, LHP Pete Hansen (5-7, 3.79) vs. Dylan DeLucia RHP (0-1, 2.53) 7:05 CT.

Palm Beach 4 at Jupiter 2

The Palm Beach Cardinals (43-18) defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads (29-32, MIA) 4-2 on Thursday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Consensus Cardinals system Pitcher of the Month Chen-Wei Lin threw five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three.

Chen-Wei Lin

The Hammerheads struck first in the fifth with an RBI double and an RBI single.

The Cardinals responded in the sixth with Jose Cordoba’s RBI single to cut the deficit to one.

Palm Beach took the lead in the eighth on J.J. Wetherholt’s two-run bomb to right field.

J.J. Wetherholt

The Man from Mars sends that ball into ORBIT!🪐

💥 109 MPH
📏381 FT pic.twitter.com/z8Lq4Pj8sk

— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) September 6, 2024

They added one more insurance run in the ninth on Lizandro Espinoza’s sacrifice fly to make the score 4-2.

Wetherholt went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Josh Kross hit 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, and a run scored. Cordoba was 1-for-4 with an RBI. The Cardinals totaled four runs on eight hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.

Nelfy Ynfante earned his second win with Palm Beach, pitching two scoreless innings, and yielding a hit and two walks. Michael Watson earned his first professional save, throwing two scoreless innings, and giving up two hits while striking out five. Palm Beach allowed two runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out eight.

Friday’s game: at Jupiter, TBD vs. TBD 5:30 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system had a 1-2 Sunday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Memphis SS Thomas Saggese, reached base all five times on two singles, a double, a home run, a walk and drove in two. Other standouts include Benito Garcia, Dakota Harris and Darlin Saladin.

Results of games played on Sunday, September 1.

Memphis 6 at Iowa 7

The Memphis Redbirds (26-31) lost 7-6 to the Iowa Cubs (26-31, CHC) on Sunday at Principal Park in Des Moines. Starter Lance Lynn threw 3 2/3 innings in his first rehab outing, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight.

The Redbirds struck in the first when the opposing pitcher balked, allowing Mike Antico to come home.

The Cubs responded against Lynn in the second with an RBI single, a two-RBI double, and two RBI singles.

Memphis put a second run on the board in the fourth on Thomas Saggese’s solo bomb to left field.

Thomas Saggese

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE!

20 @HueysRestaurant HOMERS ON THE SEASON pic.twitter.com/b1AQWMLd5Q

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 1, 2024

In the fifth, Chandler Redmond’s RBI double, Nolan Gorman’s sacrifice fly, and Saggese’s RBI double put the teams at five apiece.

The Redbirds regained the lead in the sixth with Nick Dunn’s solo moonshot to right field.

The home team rallied in the seventh with a two-RBI single to take the lead which held for the rest of the game.

Nick Raquet took his eighth loss this season, throwing three innings, and yielding two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out four. Connor Thomas pitched the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out three. Memphis allowed seven runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out 15.

Saggese was 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored. Gorman was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Dunn went 1-for-5 with a homer, an RBI, and a run scored. The Redbirds totaled six runs on 11 hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts.

The Memphis Redbirds only won two of their six-game series at the Iowa Cubs. The Redbirds come home to face the Omaha Storm Chasers (31-26, KC) on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s game: vs. Omaha, TBD vs. TBD 6:45 CT.

Springfield 5 at Wichita 2

The Springfield Cardinals (36-21) beat the Wichita Wind Surge (23-34, MIN) 5-2 on Sunday at Riverfront Stadium. In his second outing off the injured list, starter Trent Baker threw two scoreless innings, allowing two walks while striking out three.

The Cardinals put two runs on the board in the sixth with R.J. Yeager’s RBI groundout and Matt Lloyd’s RBI single. Springfield doubled their lead in the top of the eighth on Lloyd’s sacrifice fly and Leonardo Bernal’s RBI single.

Wichita took those two runs back in the bottom of the eighth on a two-RBI single.

The visitors added one final insurance run in the ninth when Dakota Harris plated Jacob Buchberger on an RBI single.

Dakota Harris

After surrendering a pair of runs in the eighth, Dakota Harris comes through for Springfield with an RBI knock up the box. pic.twitter.com/UI5lXJBQ1c

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 1, 2024

Lloyd was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Yeager was 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Nathan Church went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. The Cardinals totaled five runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Benito Garcia

Benito Garcia earned his third win this season, throwing four scoreless innings, and allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three. Nathanael Heredia threw a scoreless inning. Matt Svanson pitched an inning, yielding two runs on four hits while striking out two. Jack Ralston earned his third save this season, giving up a hit while striking out two. Springfield allowed two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out 10.

The Springfield Cardinals split their series at the Wichita Wind Surge, winning three games apiece. The Cardinals come home to face the NW Arkansas Naturals (27-29, KC) in their last regular season series before the postseason.

Tuesday’s game: at NW Arkansas, TBD vs. William Fleming (4-4, 7.00) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 2 at Beloit 6

The Peoria Chiefs (31-29) were defeated by the Beloit Sky Carp (28-32, MIA) 6-2 on Sunday at ABC Supply Stadium. Starter Darlin Saladin threw 5 2/3 innings, taking his third loss this season, and allowing three runs on four hits while walking one and striking out nine.

Darlin Saladin

The Sky Carp struck first in the second with an RBI single.

The Chiefs tied the game in the third with Tre Richardson’s RBI fielder’s choice.

Beloit regained the lead in the sixth on two RBI doubles and an RBI single.

The home team added two insurance runs in the eighth with a bases-loaded walk and a groundout into a double play that plated another run.

Peoria could only put one run on the board in the ninth with Chase Davis’ RBI single.

Davis went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Alex Iadisernia hit 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored. Won-Bin Cho was 2-for-4. The Chiefs totaled two runs on seven hits with five walks and 13 strikeouts.

Tanner Jacobson threw 1 1/3 innings, yielding one run on two hits while striking out three. In one inning, Hunter Hayes gave up two runs, none earned, on three hits while walking one and striking out one. Peoria allowed six runs, four earned, on nine hits while walking two and striking out 13.

The Peoria Chiefs split their series at the Beloit Sky Carp. The Chiefs come home to face the Lake County Captains (32-26, CLE) on Tuesday. The Chiefs are in third place in the Midwest League West and are three games back of a postseason berth with one week remaining, making each game count more than the last.

Tuesday’s game: at Lake County, TBD vs. TBD 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach – canceled

The Palm Beach Cardinals’ (41-17) home game against the Daytona Tortugas (30-27, CIN) at Roger Dean Stadium was canceled and will not be made up.

The Cardinals won four of six games against the Daytona Tortugas. Two-time division champion Palm Beach will start their last series of the regular season on Tuesday at the Jupiter Hammerheads (28-30, MIA).

Tuesday’s game: at Jupiter, TBD vs. TBD 5:30 CT.

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Cardinals Minor League Notebook – September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024 Ben Kinealy

photo: Chance Sisco (USA TODAY Sports)

On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-1. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, C Chance Sisco singled, homered and plated five for Memphis. Other standouts include Alfonso Rivas, Ixan Henderson, Sammy Hernandez, Tre Richardson, Leonel Sequera and Jose Suarez.

Results for games played on Saturday, August 31.

Memphis 10 at Iowa 8

The Memphis Redbirds (26-30) completed a late comeback to beat the Iowa Cubs (25-31, CHC) 10-8 on Sunday at Principal Park. Gordon Graceffo had a rough three inning start, allowing six runs on six hits while walking three and striking out four.

The Redbirds began with a bang when Alfonso Rivas III hit a two-out grand slam to right field in the first.

Alfonso Rivas

ALFONSO RIVAS GRAND SLAM

A @HueysRestaurant HOME RUN AGAINST HIS FORMER TEAM pic.twitter.com/Kv1ufzPG9v

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 31, 2024

The Cubs responded in the second with a solo shot, an RBI double, an RBI groundout, and another RBI double. Iowa took the lead in the third with a two-RBI double. Ryan Shreve took the mound in the fourth and gave up a two-run homer to the third batter he saw, putting the Cubs up 8-4.

Mike Antico’s solo dinger to right field brought the game to within three.

ANTICO!@HueysRestaurant HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/gG1k2Adj5f

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 1, 2024

Memphis brought the score to within one in the sixth on newcomer Chance Sisco’s two-RBI single.

Chance Sisco

Welcome to Memphis, Chance Sisco! pic.twitter.com/1sSizKDHYK

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 1, 2024

The visitors took the lead in the eighth on Sisco’s three-run longball to center field.

CHANCE SISCO WITH SOME MAGIC

A @HueysRestaurant IN HIS FIRST GAME AS A REDBIRD pic.twitter.com/3PaY16mVbY

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 1, 2024

Sisco hit 2-for-4 with a home run, five RBI, and a run scored. Rivas III was 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, four RBI, and two runs scored. Antico went 1-for-5 with a home run. The Redbirds totaled 10 runs on seven hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts.

Shreve pitched 2 2/3 innings, yielding two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three. Andre Granillo threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, earning his third win while walking one and striking out two. Chris Roycroft received his third save this season, giving up two hits while striking out one in two innings pitched. Memphis allowed eight runs on 11 hits while walking six and striking out 11.

Sunday’s game: at Iowa, RHP Lance Lynn (St. Louis rehab) vs. Riley Thompson RHP (5-4, 6.51) 1:08 CT.

Springfield 1 at Wichita 6

The Springfield Cardinals (35-21) had no answers offensively during their 6-1 loss to the Wichita Wind Surge (23-33, MIN) on Saturday at Riverfront Stadium. Starter Max Rajcic took his 10^th loss this season, throwing 4 2/3 innings, and allowing five runs, two earned, on seven hits while walking one and striking out nine.

For the third time this season Max Rajcic matches a career-high with nine strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/guF2ib3H14

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 1, 2024

The Wind Surge struck first in the first with an RBI single and extended their lead to 6-0 in the fifth with a two-RBI single. After Rajcic allowed another batter to reach safely, Zane Mills took the mound and gave up a three-run homer.

The Cardinals put a run on the board in the eighth on Nathan Church’s RBI groundout.

Jeremy Rivas went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Leonardo Bernal went 2-for-4. Rehabber Michael Siani was hitless with two walks and a strikeout. The Cardinals totaled one run on three hits with four walks and nine strikeouts.

#9 Cardinals prospect Leonardo Bernal tallies his first Double-A hit with a single to center. pic.twitter.com/uTls2aKEZz

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 1, 2024

Mills pitched 2 1/3 innings, yielding one run, none earned, on five hits while striking out three. Leonardo Taveras threw a scoreless inning, retiring three straight on three strikeouts. Springfield allowed six runs, two earned, on 12 hits while walking one and striking out 15.

Sunday’s game: at Wichita, RHP Trent Baker (3-6, 5.53) vs. TBD 1:05 CT.

Peoria 8 at Beloit 4

The Peoria Chiefs (31-28) defeated the Beloit Sky Carp (27-32, MIA) 8-4 on Saturday at ABC Supply Stadium. Starter Ixan Henderson earned his second win this season, throwing five innings, and allowing one run, none earned, on four hits while walking four and striking out four.

Ixan Henderson

The Chiefs took an early lead on Tre Richardson’s RBI triple in the first. They extended their lead to 5-0 in the fourth on Won-Bin Cho’s RBI single, Trey Paige’s RBI groundout, and Sammy Hernandez’s two-run moonshot to left field.

Sammy Hernandez

Peoria added another one in the top of the fifth with Richardson’s RBI single.

Tre Richardson

Beloit tallied single runs in the bottom of the fifth and seventh on RBI singles.

The visiting Chiefs added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth on Trey Paige’s RBI single and Hernandez’s RBI sacrifice bunt.

The Sky Carp put two more on the board in the bottom of the eighth with a two-RBI single.

Roy Garcia yielded a run on three hits while walking one and striking out five in two innings pitched. Tyler Bradt pitched two innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out two. Peoria allowed four runs, three earned, on 11 hits while walking five and striking out 11.

Richardson went 2-for-3 with a triple, two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored. Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored. Darlin Moquete was 2-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and two runs scored. The Chiefs totaled eight runs on 10 hits with three walks and 13 strikeouts.

Sunday’s game: at Beloit, RHP Darlin Saladin (5-2, 3.68) vs. Ike Buxton RHP (2-7, 5.22) 1:05 CT.

Palm Beach 12, Daytona 1

The Palm Beach Cardinals (41-17) crushed the Daytona Tortugas (30-27, CIN) 12-1 on Saturday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Starter Leonel Sequera earned his first Class-A win, allowing one run on four hits while walking two and striking out five over six innings.

Leonel Sequera

The Tortugas struck first in the third with an RBI fielder’s choice.

The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth with Ross Friedrick’s sacrifice fly.

Palm Beach took the lead in the fifth with Jose Cordoba’s two-RBI double, Jose Suarez’s two-RBI single, Jon Jon Gazdar’s RBI double, and Anyelo Encarnacion’s two-run bomb to left-center field.

Anyelo Encarnacion

AND ANYELO HOMERS! 🥳

💥109.4 MPH
📏398 FT pic.twitter.com/SpqrUoymRK

— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) September 1, 2024

Palm Beach added two more in both the sixth and seventh with Suarez’s two-RBI double and Lizandro Espinoza’s two-RBI double.

Gazdar went 3-for-5 with a triple, two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Suarez was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, four RBI, and a run scored. Encarnacion hit 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. The Cardinals totaled 12 runs on 11 hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts.

Michael Watson threw two scoreless innings, giving up a hit while striking out five. Randel Clemente pitched a scoreless inning, yielding a hit while striking out one. Palm Beach allowed one run on six hits while walking two and striking out 11.

Sunday’s game: vs. Daytona, TBD vs. TBD 10:00 CT.

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First-hand news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals™ and minor league system for over 25 years