All posts by Marilyn Green

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 4, 2022

Photo: Paul DeJong (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-2 on Friday. The doubleheader in Palm Beach was postponed.  The Player of the Day is Memphis SS Paul DeJong, who was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the Memphis win over Charlotte. Other standouts include Tyler O’Neill, Ali Sanchez, Ben DeLuzio, and Francisco Hernandez for Peoria.

Results from games played Friday, June 3, 2022



Memphis 8 at Charlotte 2

The Redbirds defeated the Knights 8-2 in a Friday night contest in Charlotte. James Naile got the start for Memphis. The right-hander pitched four scoreless innings, allowed two hits and struck out three.

Blake Parker relieved Naile and surrendered two runs in two innings of relief. Zach McAlister threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his second win. Junior Fernandez tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings and got his third save.

The Redbirds got on the board first with one run in the second inning on a solo home run by Ali Sanchez. Memphis increased the lead to 3-0 on a two-run long ball from Paul DeJong.

Paul DeJong

Charlotte scored two runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 3-2. The Redbirds widened their tally with two runs in the sixth. Tyler O’Neill, rehabbing from a shoulder injury, singled to begin the inning. Alec Burleson ground into a force out, eliminating O’Neill. DeJong walked and a wild pitch advanced both runners. Burleson and DeJong scored on a single by Cory Spangenberg.

Memphis added one more run in the eighth on an RBI single by Sanchez, and two runs in the ninth on a two-run home run by Ben DeLuzio.

O’Neill went 3-for-5 in the game. DeJong was 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Sanchez was 2-for-3 with an RBI. DeLuzio drove in two.

On the base paths, DeLuzio stole his 14th base of the season. In the field, DeJong made a fielding error.

Memphis has a record of 30-22 and is in third place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Charlotte, TBD (MEM) vs. Brody Koerner RHP (0-4, 8.36) 6:04 CT.

Springfield 1, Arkansas 3

The Cardinals lost to the Travelers in a 3-1 game at Hammons Field on Friday night. Dalton Roach took the mound for Springfield. The right-hander pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on six hits, fanned nine and walked two. Roach took the loss, his third of the season.

Freddy Pacheco relieved Roach and surrendered one run in 2 1/3 innings pitched.

The game was scoreless on both sides until the sixth inning. Arkansas scored one run in the sixth and one run in the seventh to go up 2-0.

Springfield scored their lone run in the home half of the seventh. Justin Toerner was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Nick Dunn drew a walk. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Malcom Nunez hit a sac fly to plate Toerner.

The Travelers posted their final run in the ninth.

Masyn Winn went 2-for-4 in the contest. He was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. Springfield scored one run on three hits, all singles. They were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

Masyn Winn

Dylan Carlson, on a rehab assignment, hit second as the DH and went 0-for-3 with a punch out.

In the field, Jonah Davis had an outfield assist at second base.

Springfield is 20-29 and is in last place in the Texas League North, nine games back of first place Wichita.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Arkansas, Kyle Leahy RHP (3-4, 5.94) vs. Emerson Hancock RHP (0-1, 2.25) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 4 at Wisconsin 7

The Chiefs were overcome by the Timber Rattlers in a three-run loss on Friday night at Fox Cities Stadium. Starter Austin Love took the loss, his sixth of the season. The right-hander pitched only 2 2/3 innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked two.

Enmanuel Solano relieved Love and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Colin Schmid followed with two scoreless innings.

Peoria took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Mike Antico drew a walk to begin the inning. Antico advanced to second on a wild pitch, then stole third base. Tyler Reichenborn drove Antico in on a sac fly.

Wisconsin quickly answered with two runs in the home half of the first to take a 2-1 lead. The Timber Rattlers increased the lead with two runs in the second and three runs in the third.

Behind 7-1, the Chiefs scored in the fourth to cut the lead to 7-2. Francisco Hernandez led off with a double, then stole third base. Luis Rodriguez plated Hernandez on a ground out.

Peoria added two more runs in the sixth, on a solo home run by Hernandez and an RBI double by Antico. Neither team scored further.

Francisco Hernandez

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Tommy Jew was 2-for-4. Mack Chambers was also 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Antico stole his 25th base of the season. Todd Lott and Jew each stole two bases. Reichenborn stole his first base of the season, and Hernandez swiped his 10th.

In the field, Rodriguez made a throwing error.

Peoria has a record of 20-29 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 11 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  at Wisconsin, TBD (PEO) vs. Max Lazar RHP (1-0, 5.19) 6:40 CT.

 Palm Beach, Jupiter (game one, postponed)

The first game of the doubleheader between Palm Beach and Jupiter was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been scheduled.

 Palm Beach, Jupiter (game two, postponed)

The second game of the doubleheader between Palm Beach and Jupiter, which was the makeup of the rained out game from June 2, was postponed due to rain. This game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, June 4.

Saturday’s games:  vs. Jupiter, Inohan Paniagua RHP (1-3, 2.44) vs. Sandro Bargallo LHP (1-1, 2.97) 3:00 CT, vs. Jupiter, TBD vs TBD (game two)


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 9


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 3, 2022

Photo: Alec Burleson (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-2 on Thursday. One game of the Palm Beach doubleheader postponed. The Player of the Day is Memphis LF Alec Burleson, who was 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBI. Other contributors were Ben DeLuzio, Cory Spangenberg, and Evan Mendoza.

Results from games played June 2.



Memphis 9 at Charlotte 7 (10 innings)

The Redbirds defeated the Knights in an extra inning game in Charlotte on Thursday night. Aaron Brooks took the mound for Memphis. The right-hander pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, struck out three and walked two.

Tommy Parsons relieved Brooks and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Brandon Waddell hurled a scoreless eighth. Zach McAllister tossed a scoreless ninth to earn the win. Kyle Ryan surrendered one unearned run in the 10th and got the save, his first of the season.

Charlotte racked up four runs over three innings to take a 4-0 lead. The Redbirds put up a crooked number with five runs in the top of the fifth to go up 5-4. Kramer Robertson singled and Cory Spangenberg followed with a two-run home run to left center field. Ben DeLuzio doubled, and Conner Capel walked. Alec Burleson blasted a three-run long ball to right field.

Alec Burleson

In the home half of the fifth the Knights tied it 5-5, then followed with one run in the sixth to regain the lead at 6-5.

The Redbirds rallied in the ninth to tie the game 6-6. Capel singled, Paul DeJong walked, and Burleson plated Capel on a single.

The game went into the 10th with Ivan Herrera on second base. Luken Baker singled, advancing Herrera to third. Robertson drew a walk. Spangenberg hit into a double play, Herrera was thrown out at home, Baker to third, Robertson to second. Evan Mendoza doubled to plate Baker and Robertson. DeLuzio singled and Mendoza scored to give Memphis a 9-6 lead.

In the bottom of the 10th, Charlotte added one run to make it 9-7, but the Redbirds held on to win.

Burleson was 4-for-6 with four RBI. DeLuzio was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Spangenberg and Mendoza each drove in two.

Memphis has a record of 29-22 and sits in third place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Friday’s game:  at Charlotte, TBD (MEM) vs. Lance Lynn RHP (0-0, 0.00) 6:04 CT.

Springfield 5, Arkansas 16

The Cardinals were shellacked by the Travelers in a 16-5 rout at Hammons Field on Thursday night. Gordon Graceffo got the start and had a bad night. The righthander pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up six runs, four earned, on eight hits, struck out four and walked one. Graceffo took the loss, his first of the season.

Domingo Robles relieved Graceffo and surrendered four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Sean Kealey allowed one run in the sixth. Johan Quezada relinquished three runs in two innings pitched. Ryan Loutos gave up two runs in the ninth.

Arkansas posted two runs in the top of the first inning. Springfield scored one in the home half of the first on an RBI double by Jordan Walker.

The Travelers added three runs in the second to increase the lead to 5-1, then made it 6-1 in the third. The Cardinals cut the lead to 6-3 on solo home runs by Walker and Moises Gomez.

Arkansas widened their tally with four runs in the fourth. Springfield added a fourth run in the fifth on a second solo home run by Walker.

Jordan Walker

The Travelers put up one run in the top of the sixth. Springfield matched with one run in the home half of the sixth on a solo shot by Malcom Nunez.

Arkansas continue to pound Cardinal pitching in the seventh, scoring three runs to make it 14-5. Two more runs to make it 16-5 came home in the ninth.

Walker went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Gomez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Nick Dunn was 2-for-5.

In the field, Gomez made a throwing error. Nunez and Julio Rodriguez each had a fielding miscue.

Springfield is 20-28 and stands in last place in the Texas League North, nine games back of first place Wichita.

Friday’s game:  vs. Arkansas, Dalton Roach RHP (2-2, 5.25) vs. Stephen Kolek RHP (2-3, 4.10) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 4 at Wisconsin 0

The Chiefs blanked the Timber Rattlers on Thursday night at Fox Cities Stadium. Dionys Rodriguez started for Peoria. The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings with five hits allowed, one strike out and one walk. Rodriguez got the win, his first of the season.

Dionys Rodriguez

Levi Prater relieved Rodriguez and threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Andre Granillo earned his first save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The game was scoreless on both sides until the sixth inning. In that inning, Todd Lott doubled and advanced to third on a sac bunt by L.J. Jones. Aaron Antonini plated Lott on a sac fly. Peoria took a 1-0 lead.

In the eighth, Lott singled and Jones reached on an error. Jacob Buchberger singled and Lott scored to make it 2-0.

Mike Antico drew a walk to begin the ninth and stole second base. Antico went to third on a sac bunt by Tyler Reichenberg. Lott walked. Antico and Lott scored on a double by Jones.

Lott went 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Jones drove in two. Tommy Jew was 2-for-4. Antonini and Buchberger each had an RBI.

On the base paths, Jew stole his 11th base of the season. Antico swiped his 24th base of the season.

Peoria is 20-28 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 10 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Friday’s game:  at Wisconsin, TBD (PEO) vs. Antoine Kelly LHP (1-1, 3.27) 6:40 CT.

Palm Beach 4, Jupiter 5 (10 innings, completion of suspended game)

The Cardinals were topped by the Hammerheads in a one-run contest on Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium. Tink Hence got the start for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched three innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits, struck out four and walked one.

Chris Gerard relieved Hence and surrendered one unearned run in three innings. Gustavo J. Rodriguez allowed one run in three innings. Andrew Marrero relinquished one unearned run in the 10th and took the loss, his first of the season.

The Beach Birds took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run single by Matt Chamberlain. Jupiter scored one run in the third and one run in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. The Hammerheads added a run in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.

The Cardinals tied the game in the home half of the fifth. Brady Whalen singled, followed by a single from Chamberlain that advanced Whalen to third. Jhon Torres grounded out to plate Whalen.

The game remained tied until the ninth. Jupiter scored one in the top of the ninth. Palm Beach answered with the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. Osvaldo Tovalin and Whalen each drew a walk. Chamberlain sac bunted both runners to second and third. Tovalin scored on a wild pitch.

The Hammerheads pushed a run home in the 10th and Palm Beach failed to answer. Whalen was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Chamberlain was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Brady Whalen

On the base paths, Moquete and Chamberlain each stole their first base of the season. In the field, Jake Burns made a throwing error and had a passed ball.

Palm Beach is 18-29 on the season and is in last place in the FSL East, 13.5 games back of first place St. Lucie

Palm Beach, Jupiter (postponed)

The second game between Palm Beach and Jupiter was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as one game of a doubleheader on June 3.

Friday’s games:  vs. Jupiter, Bryan Pope RHP (0-0, 3.38) vs. TBD 3:00 CT (game one), vs. Jupiter, TBD vs. TBD (game two)


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Springfield Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 8


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – June 1, 2022

photo: Osvaldo Tovalin (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-3 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Palm Beach 3B Osvaldo Tovalin, was 3-for-4 with a double and RBI in the win over Jupiter. Other contributors for Palm Beach were Aaron McKeithan, Brady Whalen, and Sander Mora. Standouts for other clubs were Conner Capel and Paul DeJong for Memphis and Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, and Justin Toerner for Springfield.

Results from games played Tuesday, May 31.



Memphis 7 at Charlotte 14

Six of seven Memphis Redbirds pitchers deployed were pummeled by the Knights for a season-high 17 hits and 14 runs in a slugfest in Charlotte on Tuesday night.  Zack Thompson made the start for Memphis but the left hander did not make it out of the first inning. Thompson gave up six runs, three earned, on four hits, struck out one and walked two in 2/3 of an inning.

Zach McAlister relieved and surrendered two runs on 1 1/3 innings. Jake Woodford and Brandon Waddell each threw 1 2/3 innings and allowed one run each. Blake Parker relinquished three runs in 2/3 of an inning. Jake Walsh gave up one run in one inning pitched. In the eighth, Kyle Ryan was the only Redbirds pitcher to log a scoreless inning but by then, the damage had been inflicted.

Memphis was held scoreless until fifth inning when Evan Mendoza and Scott Hurst walked. Conner Capel plated Mendoza on a double. Paul DeJong drove in Hurst and Capel on a double. The lead for Charlotte was cut to 9-3.

The Redbirds made it 9-5 in the sixth on a two-run home run by Luken Baker. The Knights responded with one run in the home half of the sixth, then added four runs in the seventh to widen the lead to 14-5.

In the ninth, Capel and DeJong each hit solo home runs but the lead for Charlotte was far too large.

Conner Capel

Capel went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. DeJong was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Ali Sanchez was 3-for-5. Baker drove in two.

On the base paths, Kramer Robertson stole his 12th base of the season. In the field, DeJong and Baker made fielding errors. Sanchez picked a runner off first base.

Memphis has a record of 27-22 and sits in third place in the International League West, 6.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Charlotte, LHP Connor Thomas (2-2, 4.22) vs. TBA 5:35 CT.

Springfield 4, Arkansas 9

The Double-A Cardinals were defeated by the Travelers in a Wednesday night contest at Hammons Field. Edgar Escobar started for Springfield. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked two. Escobar took the loss, his second of the season.

Garrett Williams relieved and surrendered three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Michael Brettell allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Freddy Pacheco tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Arkansas scored a run in the first and second innings and added two in the fourth to make it 4-0. Memphis got on the board in the home half of the fourth when Nick Dunn singled and scored on a double by Nick Raposo.

Arkansas widened their lead to 7-1 in the sixth and to 8-1 in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half of the seventh the Cardinals rallied for three runs to cut the lead to 8-4. Masyn Winn hit a solo home run to left center field. Justin Toerner and Jordan Walker singled. Moises Gomez’ double plated Toerner and Walker came home on a Chandler Redmond ground out.

Masyn Winn

The Travelers added their ninth and final run in the eighth. Springfield failed to rally in the final innings.

Jordan Walker

Walker went 3-for-5 including a triple and scored a run. Toerner was 2-for-4 and Winn was 2-for-5 with a double and home run. Raposo was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Springfield is 19-27 on the season and is in last place in the Texas League North, 8.5 games back of first place Wichita.

Wednesday’s game:  vs Arkansas, Michael McGreevy RHP (0-1, 12.46) vs. TBA 6:35 CT.

Peoria 4 at Wisconsin 5

The Peoria Chiefs were edged by the Timber Rattlers in a one-run road contest on Tuesday night. Zane Mills took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits, struck out six and walked one. Mills took the loss, his second of the season.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson finished the game with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson

Peoria got on the board first with one run in the first inning. Mike Antico walked and stole second base. Tyler Reichenborn walked. Antico stole third base and scored on a sac fly by Todd Lott.

The Chiefs increased the lead to 2-0 in the second, but Wisconsin answered in the home half of the second to make it 2-1. The Timber Rattlers jumped ahead with a big four-run third inning.

Peoria brought it to 5-4 in the fourth on an RBI single by Francisco Hernandez and an RBI double by Antico. Neither team scored in the final 4 1/2 innings.

The Chiefs scored four runs on seven hits.  No Peoria hitter had multiples. Doubles by Antico and Aaron Antonini were the only extra base hits. Antico also had two of Peoria’s five walks.

Mike Antico

On the base paths, Antico stole three bases for a total of 23 steals on the season. That tops the Cardinals system and is tied for the most in the Midwest League. In the field, new shortstop Mack Chambers made two fielding errors.

Peoria is 18-28 and is in fifth place in the Midwest League, 11 games back of first place Cedar Rapids

Wednesday’s game:  at Wisconsin, LHP John Beller (2-0, 1.57) vs. Russell Smith LHP (1-3, 5.86) 12:10 CT.

Palm Beach 5, Jupiter 1

The Palm Beach Cardinals defeated the Hammerheads 5-1 on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium. Trent Baker started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up one unearned run on six hits, fanned eight and walked two to earn his third win of the season.

Trent Baker

Hayes Heinecke relieved and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Roy Garcia tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Beach Birds scored the first run of the game in the first inning. Darlin Moquete and Osvaldo Tovalin began with singles. Moquete advanced to third on a ground out by Brady Whalen and scored on a ground out by Jeremy Rivas.

The Cardinals went ahead 2-0 in the third on an RBI single by Whalen. Jupiter plated its only run in the sixth. In the seventh, RBI singles by Tovalin and Whalen made it 4-1.

Osvaldo Tovalin

Palm Beach added the final run in the eighth on a solo home run by Jhon Torres. Tovalin went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Aaron McKeithan was also 3-for-4. Whalen was 2-for-4 with two RBI, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, and Sander Mora was 2-for-4.

In the field, McKeithan and Mora committed throwing errors. Torres had a fielding miscue.

Palm Beach is 18-28 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 12 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Jupiter, Chris Gerard LHP (2-2, 4.38) vs. TBA 5:30 CT


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 8


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – May 23-29

photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Billy Hurst/USA TODAY Sports)

As injuries mount, the Cardinals continue to tread water. Paul Goldschmidt has been the team’s only consistent player. Three new Hall of Fame members were named. Our Blast from the Past recounts the game with the most baserunners stranded in Cardinals history.

Game recaps

Monday, May 23 – Cardinals 7, Blue Jays 3 (10 innings)

The Cardinals defeated the Blue Jays in the first of a two-game interleague set at Busch Stadium on Monday. Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on four hits, struck out five and walked two.

Andre Pallante relieved and got the final out of the seventh inning. Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan Helsley and Genesis Cabrera each tossed a scoreless inning. Cabrera received the win, his second of the season.

The Cardinals scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Nolan Arenado singled and crossed home on a double by Brendan Donovan.

Toronto tied the score in the sixth and added two in the seventh to lead 3-1. The Cardinals knotted it up in the home half of the seventh on a solo home run by Juan Yepez and an RBI single by Harrison Bader.

The game remained tied through nine innings. With ghost runner/pinch runner Lars Nootbaar on second base, Tommy Edman and pinch hitter Edmundo Sosa both walked. With the bases juiced, red-hot Paul Goldschmidt smoked a walk off grand slam to left field.

Paul Goldschmidt

Arenado went 3-for-4. Donovan was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

On the base paths, Arenado was caught stealing for the first time this season.

Tuesday, May 24 – Cardinals 1, Blue Jays 8

In the second game of the two-game series, the Cardinals were stomped by the Blue Jays by the score of 8-1. Starter Jordan Hicks came out of the game after only three innings due to a forearm issue that later put him on the injured list. The right hander gave up four runs on five hits, stuck out three and walked five. Hicks took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Nick Wittgren surrendered two runs in two innings of relief. Drew VerHagen similarly allowed two runs in two innings. Junior Fernandez tossed the final scoreless two innings.

St, Louis’ offense was held scoreless for the first six innings. Toronto racked up seven runs over that same six innings, then added their eighth run in the top of the seventh. In the home seventh, St. Louis finally put a run on the board, their only run of the game. Brendan Donovan drove Tommy Edman home on a single.

That one run came among six scattered hits. Paul Goldschmidt went 2-for-3. The extra base hits were the double by Edman and a double from Harrison Bader.

The Cardinal defense made two errors. Donovan dropped a foul ball and Nolan Gorman made a throwing error.

Wednesday, May 25 – Off day

Thursday, May 26 – Cardinals 3, Brewers 4

The Cardinals were edged by the rival Brewers in the first of a four-game series at Busch Stadium on Thursday. Adam Wainwright took the mound for the Redbirds. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up four runs, three earned, on 10 hits, struck out two and walked one. Wainwright took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Wainwright was relieved by Andre Pallante, who threw three scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Cardinals quickly answered in the home half to tie the game. Tommy Edman began with a double, followed by Paul Goldschmidt with a walk. Albert Pujols singled to score Edman. Juan Yepez drove in Goldschmidt on a sac fly.

In the second, Milwaukee added a run and made it 4-2 in the fourth. In the seventh, Goldschmidt thumped a solo home run to left field to bring the Cardinals within one. The Redbirds were unable to add on to that tally.

St. Louis’ offense scored three runs on seven hits. Edman was 3-for-5. Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

In the field, Edmundo Sosa made a throwing error.

Friday, May 27 – Cardinals 4, Brewers 2

The Cardinals defeated the Brewers in the second game of the series in St. Louis. Starter Dakota Hudson pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five hits allowed, three punchouts and four walks.

Drew VerHagen secured the final out of the fifth. Genesis Cabrera threw two scoreless innings. Kodi Whitley surrendered two runs in his 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Helsley cleaned up for Whitley in the ninth to earn his third save. VerHagen was awarded the win.

Ryan Helsley

The Cardinals got on the board with a 2-0 lead in the third. Harrison Bader singled and scored on a two-run long ball from Paul Goldschmidt.

The 2-0 lead held until the seventh when the Redbirds plated two more runs to go up 4-0 over the rival Brewers. Juan Yepez singled and scored on a triple by Edmundo Sosa. Sosa scored on a fielder’s choice from Lars Nootbaar.

The Brewers scored their only two runs off Whitley in the ninth. Helsley replaced Whitley and prevented further damage giving the Cardinals the win in this second game.

On the base paths, Bader stole two bags, bringing his NL leading total to 13.

Saturday, May 28 – Cardinals 8, Brewers 3

The Cardinals took the third game of the series from the Brewers by the score of 8-3 on Saturday. Rookie Matthew Liberatore made his second start and pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two runs, struck out six and walked three to earn his first major league win.

Matthew Liberatore

Jake Woodford surrendered one run in three innings of relief. T.J. McFarland allowed two runs in the ninth.

The Cardinals got on the board first with one run in the first inning on a solo home run by Nolan Gorman, his first major league long ball.

St. Louis added to the lead with four runs in the third inning. Harrison Bader singled and Tommy Edman followed with a single. Gorman singled to plate Bader. Paul Goldschmidt then blasted a three-run home run to right center field.

The lead increased to 8-0 in the fourth. Corey Dickerson drew a walk. Edman reached on a fielding error. Gorman doubled to plate Dickerson and Edman. Gorman then scored on a single by Goldschmidt.

The Brewers finally got on the board with one run in the sixth. Milwaukee added two more in the ninth to bring the final score to 8-3.

Nolan Gorman

Gorman had his best day at the plate so far in his young major league career. The rookie went 4-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Goldschmidt was 3-for-4 with four RBI.

On the base paths, Brendan Donovan was caught stealing for the first time this season. In the field, Gorman made two fielding errors and Nolan Arenado made a throwing error.

Sunday, May 29 – Cardinals 0, Brewers 8

The Cardinals were blanked 8-0 by the Brewers in the final game of the split series. The sluggish Cardinals offense continued to be unable to figure out Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes.

St. Louis’ starter Miles Mikolas, a normally reliable starter, was off his game in this contest. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on nine hits, struck out six and walked one. Mikolas took the loss, his third of the season.

T.J. McFarland relieved and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Nick Wittgren surrendered two runs in the final 1 2/3 innings.

The Brewers put one run on the board off Mikolas in the second inning. Milwaukee increased the lead to 4-0 on the first of two home runs allowed by Mikolas, this one a three-run shot. The second home run off the right hander, a solo shot, was hit in the sixth, followed by another run on an RBI single.

The Brewers added the final two runs in the eighth. The Cardinals were held to four hits and had no one on the bases until a walk by Gorman in the fourth. Juan Yepez doubled in the fourth, but Gorman was unable to score. That was the only runner in scoring position the Cardinals had in the game.

Yepez’ double was the only extra base hit. In the field, Brendan Donovan had an outfield assist at home plate.

Cardinals announce three new Hall of Famers

On Friday, the Cardinals announced that Matt Holliday, Julián Javier and Charles Comiskey will be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 27.

Details here:

2022 Cardinals Hall of Fame Induction Class of Three Announced

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 30 18 0.625
St. Louis 26 21 0.553 3.5
Chicago 19 27 0.413 10
Pittsburgh 19 27 0.413 10
Cincinnati 16 31 0.340 13.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals finished the final full week of May with a record of 3-3. The team split two with Toronto and split four with the Brewers. The Cardinals failed to gain any ground on the first place Brewers and remain 3.5 games back.

Both pitching and offense failed the Cardinals at times this past week. The Cardinals’ best starter up to this point did not perform well against the Brewers on Sunday. The second-best starter, Adam Wainwright, also had a poor outing. Jordan Hicks and Steven Matz are on the IL. Dakota Hudson was the only one of the original starters who kept the Cardinals in the game with 4+ scoreless innings, but his continuous inability to go deeper hurts the team by putting stress on the bullpen, which doesn’t need it.

Recent call up Matthew Liberatore had a good start on Saturday though he only went five innings. The bullpen has been taxed and has required multiple trips up and down on the Memphis shuttle to compensate. Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera, Andre Pallante, and brief call up Junior Fernandez had good outings. The rest of the bullpen has not been particularly impressive. Kodi Whitley was sent down for poor performance and was called back up, only to perform poorly again.

The offense has consisted of Paul Goldschmidt. The likely May National League Player of the Month has kept the Cardinals from completely falling apart offensively. The first baseman is carrying an active 20-game hitting streak and 34-game on-base streak into the San Diego series.

Goldschmidt is the only Cardinal with an OPS of over .800 during the week. The next closest to his 1.379 OPS is rookie Nolan Gorman (.744). The next closest veteran player is Harrison Bader (.684) with Edmundo Sosa close behind with .679. Every other player on the roster is below .600.

The Cardinals “elite’ defense showed cracks with six errors during the week. The only aspect of the team that continues to work is the base running. Bader leads the NL with 13 stolen bases and Tommy Edman has 10.

To be fair, the team is missing several key players due to injury. The outfield defense is diminished with the loss of both Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson. Bader is good, but not good enough to man the outfield by himself. Rookie Gorman has been okay at 2B but with Edman at short the infield defense is less than what it was. One could say Gorman has made up for it with his bat, but not enough to make a difference in the total outcome during the week. It is just one week though, so no judgment can be made about the long term effect.

The team cannot continue with one player trying to hold the offense together. The pitching and defense must improve as well.

The Cardinals play the slightly scuffling though still good Padres in a three game series to begin the week. San Diego has had Manny Machado on the bench for the last several games; but he should return for the Cardinals series. They end the week with the first series of the season with the Cubs at Wrigley. The Padres will be tough with Machado back. The Cubs are not good, but that means nothing when playing in Wrigley and with the Cardinals in the current state they are in.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 5/23 The Cardinals recalled OF Lars Nootbaar from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals optioned RHP Angel Rondon to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals recalled C Ivan Herrera from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals recalled RHP Junior Fernandez from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals placed C Yadier Molina on the bereavement list.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals placed LHP Steven Matz on the 15 day injured list. Left shoulder impingement.
  • 5/23 The Cardinals placed RF Dylan Carlson on the 10 day injured list. Left hamstring strain.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals recalled RHP Kodi Whitley from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals optioned RHP Junior Fernandez to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals recalled RHP Jake Woodford from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals optioned C Ivan Herrera to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals released RHP T.J. Zeuch.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals placed RHP Jordan Hicks on the 15 day injured list retroactive to May 25, 2022. Right forearm flexor.
  • 5/26 The Cardinals activated C Yadier Molina from the bereavement list. He was away tending to an injured son in Puerto Rico.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room for the addition of Nolan Gorman to the big league roster. Flaherty has faced live hitters several times and a rehab assignment is expected be announced in the coming days.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. The right hander received a second opinion, and it was determined that Reyes will likely need surgery. Whether the injury is season ending is yet to be determined.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The outfielder had been struggling at the plate with a .195 average in 32 games. An MRI showed no significant damage but there was fluid around the rotator cuff. O’Neill received a cortisone shot. As of May 28 the outfielder returned to some light throwing and is expected to be sent on a rehab assignment soon.
  • RF Dylan Carlson (left hamstring tightness) was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 23, retroactive to May 22. An MRI was taken, and the outfielder was diagnosed with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 hamstring strain. The Cardinals are hopeful that Carlson will not be out for an extended period of time.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) left his last start on May 22 with stiffness in his pitching arm. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 23. An MRI showed nothing concerning and no decision has been made public on treatment plans. The team is hopeful the pitcher will return before the All-Star break.
  • RHP Jordan Hicks (right forearm flexor) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 26, retroactive to May 25. Hicks suffered lingering pain after pitching but there isn’t a large level of concern at this time. Hicks will likely get some innings pitching in the minor leagues before being returned to the big league roster. Whether he will return as a starter has not been determined. The healing of the other two injured starters and the development of Liberatore may be factors.

Looking Ahead

The four game series with the Brewers ended on Sunday. The homestand will continue on Monday with three against the Padres. The probable pitchers for this series are Packy Naughton (to be promoted from Memphis), Adam Wainwright and Dakota Hudson.

Following the homestand, the Cardinals travel to Wrigley Field to play the Cubs for the first series of the season. After the four games end on Sunday, June 5, the Cardinals travel to Florida to play the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game interleague set.

After the team leaves Florida, they return to St. Louis for a six game homestand. The first three will be against the Reds. Following that will be three against the Pirates.

Another road trip begins on June 17 with a three-game series in Boston followed by a four games in Milwaukee.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week’s Blast continues the theme of chronicling an unusual or interesting game in Cardinals franchise history. This particular game is ignominious for not a good reason. In a complete game shutout of the Cardinals by the Phillies in 1994, the Cardinals set a major league record for the most runners left on base in a nine inning shutout. This record has yet to be broken but has been tied once since.

On May 24, 1994, the Cardinals played the Phillies in a Tuesday night game at Busch Stadium. The game featured nine St. Louis hits and concluded with the Cardinals stranding a record 16 runners with no runs scored.

The starting lineup for manager Joe Torre was as follows: CF Ray Lankford, SS Ozzie Smith, 1B Gregg Jeffries, 3B Todd Zeile, LF Bernard Gilkey, RF Brian Jordan, C Tom Pagnozzi, 2B Luis Alicea, and P Vincente Palacios.

The starting lineup for the Phillies was: CF Lenny Dykstra, 2B Mickey Morandini, SS Mariano Duncan, C Darren Daulton, RF Jim Eisenreich, 1B Ricky Jordan, LF Milt Thompson, 3B Tom Quinlan, and P David West.

In the top of the first, Palacios gave up a lead off walk, but retired the next three batters. The Cardinals came to the plate in the home half of the first and went 1-2-3.

Palacios surrendered two hits in the second but no runs. In the bottom of the second, two runners were left on base by the Cardinals. Zeile led off with a double. Gilkey and Jordan were retired. Pagnozzi drew a walk but was left on base along with Zeile Alicea ground out to second base.

Palacios retired all three Phillies in the top of the third. Palacios struck out as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the third. Lankford flew out and Smith singled. Jeffries stranded Smith on a ground out to short. Three batters stranded so far at the end of three.

In the fourth, the Phillies didn’t score but left one man on base. The Cardinals left three more runners stranded in the bottom frame. Zeile flew out, Gilkey and Jordan each drew a walk. Pagnozzi grounded out to short, advancing the runners. Alicea was intentionally walked, and all three runners were left stranded when Palacios popped out to RF in foul territory.

The Phillies singled twice in fifth but left the two hitters stranded. The Cardinals did the same in the bottom half with Smith getting on base with a walk and Jeffries with a single. Zeile walked but Gilkey grounded into a double play.

The game continued in this vein with no runs scoring for either side. In the sixth the Phillies stranded one and the Cardinals left three on base. Jordan and Pagnozzi singled and pinch hitter Gerald Perry drew a walk. Lankford struck out and Smith grounded out to short. The Cardinals have now racked up 11 stranded runners.

Rene Arocha relieved Palacios in the seventh and retired all three Phillies. Zeile doubled and Jordan walked. Pagnozzi grounded out to short to strand the two runners for 13 runners left on base.

Arocha went 1-2-3 against the Phillies in the eighth. Lankford singled in the home half of the eighth, but Smith grounded out to first base to end the inning and strand Lankford as the 14th LOB for the Cardinals.

The Phillies finally scored in the ninth, four runs off Cardinals reliever Mike Perez. The Cardinals ended the game in the ninth with back to back singles from Jeffries and Zeile, then a ground out by Gilkey, a punch out of Jordan, and a fly out to center field by Pagnozzi. Grand total LOB: 16; Runs scored: none.

The new record was tied four years later on May 7, 1998, when the Mariners were shut out by the Blue Jays 6-0.

For some context, the most runners ever left on base in a game of any length was 27 by the Braves in a 20 inning 5-4 loss to the Phillies on May 4, 1973.

The most runners left on base in a nine-inning game is 20 by the Yankees, in a 13-7 loss to the Red Sox on September 21, 1956.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Make Saturday Roster Change at Peoria

Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 28, 2022

photo: Scott Hurst (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-2 on Friday with Springfield splitting two and Palm Beach postponed. The Cardinal Nation’s Players of the Day are CF Scott Hurst, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI and DH Ben DeLuzio, who hit a grand slam in Memphis’ win over Iowa.

Results from games played Friday, May 27.



Memphis 7, Iowa 0

The Memphis Redbirds blanked the Iowa Cubs 7-0 at AutoZone Park on Friday night. Aaron Brooks made his best start of the season to date for Memphis. The right hander retired his first 11 batters on the way to five scoreless innings. Brooks allowed just two hits and struck out four to earn his first win.

Aaron Brooks

Tommy Parsons relieved and threw a scoreless sixth. James Naile followed with two scoreless innings. Junior Fernandez tossed a scoreless ninth.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning. With two outs, Luken Baker drew a walk, Scott Hurst singled, and Evan Mendoza walked to load the bases. Ben Deluzio then blasted a grand slam to left center field. It was the designated hitter’s second grand slam of the series and seventh long ball in 2022.

Ben DeLuzio

The Redbirds increased their lead to 7-0 in the fifth. Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera began with walks. Hurst followed with a triple that scored both. Mendoza, DeLuzio and Kramer Robertson walked. Hurst scored.

Scott Hurst

Hurst went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. DeLuzio drove in four.

On the base paths, Robertson stole his eighth base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 25-21 on the season and stands in fourth place in the International League West, 5.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Iowa, RHP Johan Oviedo (4-2, 5.24) vs. Matt Swarmer RHP (3-1, 2.08) 6:35 CT.


Springfield 3 at Tulsa 2 (seven innings, Game 1)

The Springfield Cardinals topped the Drillers by a 3-2 score in the first game of a twin bill in Tulsa behind a complete game pitched and just enough offense. Gordan Graceffo, in his first Double-A start, pitched all seven innings, gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four. Graceffo received the win.

Gordon Graceffo

Springfield got on the board first in the second inning on a solo home run by Nick Dunn. The score held at 1-0 until the final inning. In the top of the seventh, Moises Gomez drew a walk and stole second base. Chandler Redmond followed with a two-run home run to right center field.

In the home half of the seventh, Tulsa put up two runs to cut the lead to 3-2 but Graceffo held them from scoring further.

The Cardinals offense scored its three runs on just three hits. In addition to the long balls from Dunn and Redmond, Justin Toerner singled.

On the base paths, Gomez stole his third base of the season.

Springfield 0 at Tulsa 2 (seven innings, Game 2)

The Cardinals were blanked by the Drillers in the second game of the Friday twin bill in Tulsa. Domingo Robles started for Springfield. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on two hits, struck out two and walked one. Robles took the loss.

Domingo Robles

Ryan Loutos tossed a scoreless sixth.

The Drillers scored one run in the first inning and one in the second. The Springfield offense was again held to three hits, but this time none left the park and they weren’t strung together. They were a double by Jordan Walker and singles by Nick Dunn and Matt Koperniak. The team was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Robles made a fielding error and picked a runner off first base.

Springfield is 18-25 on the season and is in last place in the Texas League North, 8.5 games back of first place Tulsa.

Saturday’s game:  at Tulsa, RHP Dalton Roach (2-2, 5.79) vs. Bobby Miller RHP (1-1, 4.97) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 2, Lake County 3

The Peoria Chiefs were edged by the Lake County Captains in a one run loss on Friday at Dozer Park. Dionys Rodriguez took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up one unearned run on two hits and walked two.

Levi Prater

Levi Prater threw three scoreless innings of relief on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. Enmanuel Solano surrendered two runs in the ninth. Rodriguez took the hard-luck loss, his fifth of the season.

Lake County got on the board first with one run in the second inning. The game remained at 1-0 until the ninth, when the Captains extended their lead to 3-0.

The Chiefs rallied in the home half of the ninth to put up two runs but fell just short in the end. Todd Lott singled and scored on a triple by Jacob Buchberger. Aaron Antonini grounded out to second to plate Buchberger.

Peoria scored two runs on seven hits. Thomas Francisco went 2-for-4. Buchberger’s triple was the only extra base hit.

In the field, Rodriguez, Mack Chambers, and Buchberger each made throwing errors.

Peoria has lost all four in the current series. Overall, the Chiefs are 17-26 and are in fourth place in the Midwest League West, 12 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Lake County, RHP Austin Love (2-4, 6.75) vs. Doug Nikhazy LHP (0-2, 5.06) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach at Daytona (postponed)

Friday’s Palm Beach at Daytona contest was postponed due to weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.

Saturday’s games:  at Daytona, Inohan Paniagua RHP (1-3, 2.06) vs. Chase Petty RHP (0-2, 4.05) 4:05 CT (Game 1), RHP Bryan Pope (0-0, 0.79) vs. Reynardo Cruz RHP (0-1, 5.40) (Game 2).


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 8


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 26, 2022

photo: Delvin Perez (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-2 on Wednesday, with Memphis suspended by weather. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, RF Delvin Perez, drove in the deciding runs on a two-run double in Springfield’s comeback win. Other standouts: Francisco Hernandez, Tink Hence and Jeremy Rivas.

Results from games played Wednesday, May 25.

Memphis vs. Iowa (suspended)

The game between Memphis and Iowa that began on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park was suspended due to rain. The game was tied 4-4 with two runners on for the Cubs and one out in the top of the eighth when the rain stopped play. The game was suspended shortly after.

The game will be resumed on Thursday, May 26. Both games will be nine innings.

Thursday’s games:  vs Iowa, TBD vs TBD (suspended game), LHP Connor Thomas (2-2, 3.65) vs. Cam Sanders RHP (0-1, 2.79) 7:05 CT.

Springfield 7 at Tulsa 4

The Springfield Cardinals were the victors over the Drillers in a 7-4 game in Tulsa on Wednesday night. Edgar Escobar started for Springfield. The right hander pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on three hits, struck out two and walked five.

Michael Brettell surrendered one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Johan Quezada and Freddy Pacheco each tossed a scoreless inning. Brettell received the win, his third of the season. Pacheco earned his seventh save.

Tulsa took a 1-0 lead in the fourth and increased the lead to 4-0 in the fifth. The Cardinals surged in the sixth and jumped ahead with a six-run rally for a 7-4 Springfield lead. The inning began with Jordan Walker and Moises Gomez drawing walks. Pedro Pages grounded into a force out that eliminated Gomez. Justin Toerner singled to plate Walker.

Delvin Perez

Malcom Nunez walked. Nick Dunn walked, and Pages scored. Delvin Perez doubled to score Toerner and Nunez. Masyn Winn posted his first Double-A RBI with a sac fly to drive in Dunn. Perez then stole third base and scored on a wild pitch. Springfield led 6-4.

The Cardinals added a final run in the seventh. Walker walked, Gomez singled, and Pages plated Walker on a sac fly. The Springfield bullpen did its job and held Tulsa to the four runs.

Gomez went 2-for-4. Perez had two RBI. Winn, Pages, Toerner, and Dunn each drove in a run.

On the base paths, Perez stole his 10th base of the season.

Springfield is 17-23 and remains in last place in the Texas League North, 7.5 games back of first place Tulsa.

Thursday’s game:  at Tulsa, Michael McGreevy RHP (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Clayton Beeter (0-2, 5.73) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 1, Lake County 5 (eight innings)

The Peoria Chiefs lost to the Lake County Captains in a rain-shortened eight inning contest at Dozer Park on Wednesday night. Zane Mills took the mound first for Peoria. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up four runs on seven hits and walked two in his first start since being promoted to Peoria. Mills took the loss.

Michael YaSenka surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Nathanael Heredia secured the first out of the eighth before the rain stopped the game.

Lake County scored first to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The Chiefs tied it up in the third on a solo home run by Francisco Hernandez.

Francisco Hernandez

The Captains scored in the fourth to regain the lead, 2-1. Lake County added two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth to increase the edge to 5-1.

Peoria was held to one run on two hits. Aaron Antonini doubled in addition to the long ball by Hernandez.

Mike Antico stole his 19th base of the season. Antico was also caught stealing, as was Mack Chambers.

Antico also made a fielding error.

Peoria has a record of 17-24 and is in fourth place in the Midwest League West, 10 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Lake County, LHP John Beller (2-0, 1.83) vs. Mason Hickman RHP (0-3, 6.75) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 3 at Daytona 5

The Palm Beach Cardinals fell to the Tortugas in a 5-3 contest in Daytona on Wednesday night. Tink Hence started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched three scoreless innings, allowed one hit, struck out five and walked two.

Tink Hence

Gustavo Rodriguez relieved and surrendered two runs in 2 2/3 innings. Alex Cornwell allowed three runs in the final 2 1/3 innings. Cornwell took the loss, his first of the season.

The game was scoreless until fourth inning when Daytona put up two runs. The Beach Birds tied it up in the fifth. Jeremy Rivas led off with a double and Matt Chamberlain walked. Rivas advanced to third on a fly out and came home on a passed ball. Chamberlain scored on a ground out by Luis Rodriguez.

The Tortugas broke the tie with a three-run eighth. The Cardinals attempted a rally in the ninth but could only plate one run, on an RBI single by Rivas.

Jeremy Rivas

Rivas was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Three other hits belonged to Jake Burns, Osvaldo Tovalin, and Brady Whalen. The offense was 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

In the field, Hence picked a runner off first base. Burns had a passed ball.

Palm Beach is 14-27 on the season and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 13 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  at Daytona, Chris Gerard LHP (1-2, 4.58) vs. Jose Franco RHP (1-1, 4.30) 6:05 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Revamp Minor League Rosters


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 25, 2022

photo: Paul DeJong (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-2 on Tuesday as Springfield was rained out. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, shortstop Paul DeJong, went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Memphis’ win. Other standouts include Ben DeLuzio, Kramer Robertson, Wilfredo Pereira, Jeremy Rivas and Trent Baker.

Results from games played Tuesday, May 24.



Memphis 9, Iowa 4

The Memphis Redbirds defeated the Iowa Cubs in a 9-4 contest at AutoZone Park on Tuesday. Jake Woodford got the start for Memphis. The right hander pitched three innings, gave up three runs, one earned, on three hits, struck out three and walked one.

Packy Naughton relieved and threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season. Brandon Waddell hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Zach McAllister tossed a scoreless eighth. Kodi Whitley surrendered one run in the ninth.

Iowa scored three runs in the top of the first to take a 3-0 lead. Memphis put up one run in the home half of the first. Paul DeJong doubled to left and later scored on a single by Conner Capel.

Paul DeJong

The Redbirds tied the game in the bottom of third on a two-run home run by DeJong. Memphis took the lead in the fourth with a four-run burst. Luken Baker singled, Ali Sanchez and Evan Mendoza walked to load the bases. Ben DeLuzio blasted a grand slam to left to increase the Memphis lead to 7-3.

Ben DeLuzio

In the sixth, Mendoza and Kramer Robertson walked. The runners advanced on a balk, before DeJong drove in both on a line drive single to center.

DeJong went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. DeLuzio also plated four. Robertson reached base four times, including three walks, and scored a pair of runs.

On the base paths, Robertson stole his seventh base of the season. In the field, Mendoza made a fielding error.

Memphis has a record of 23-20 and sits in fourth place in the International League West, seven games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Iowa, LHP Zack Thompson (2-1, 4.42) vs. Caleb Kilian RHP (2-0, 1.31) 11:05 am CT.

Springfield at Tulsa (postponed)

Tuesday’s game between the Cardinals and the Drillers was postponed due to rain in the Tulsa area. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, May 27.

Wednesday’s game:  at Tulsa, RHP Edgar Escobar (2-1, 5.47) vs. TBA 7:05 CT

Peoria 4, Lake County 6 (11 innings)

The Peoria Chiefs were defeated in extra innings by the Lake County Captains at Dozer Park on Tuesday night. It was an odd night in that Chiefs pitching retired a team-record 28 consecutive batters but gave up runs on each end to take the loss.

Logan Gragg took the mound to start for Peoria. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up four runs on four hits and struck out three.

Wilfredo Pereira

Wilfredo Pereira threw four perfect innings of relief with three strikeouts. Gianluca Dalatri surrendered two unearned runs in the 11th and took the loss, his first of the season.

Lake County took the early lead with a four-run first inning. The Chiefs put up one run in the second. Jacob Buchberger led off with a single. Carlos Soto doubled and Noah Mendlinger plated Buchberger on a single.

In the sixth, Peoria cut the Captains’ lead to 4-3. Mike Antico began with a double. Mack Chambers singled. Antico scored on a passed ball. Chambers scored on back to back ground outs.

The Chiefs tied the game in the ninth on a bases loaded walk by Mendlinger. In extra innings, neither team scored in the 10th but in the 11th, Lake County scored twice. Peoria was unable to answer.

Antico went 3-for-5. Buchberger was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Soto was 2-for-4. Mendlinger had two RBI.

In the field, Mendlinger made a throwing error. Gragg made an error on a pickoff.

Peoria is 17-23 and stands in fifth place in the Midwest League West, 10 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Lake County, RHP Zane Mills (Peoria debut) vs. RHP Aaron Davenport 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 4 at Daytona 5

The Palm Beach Cardinals were topped by the Daytona Tortugas in a one-run road game on Tuesday night. Starter Trent Baker pitched six innings, gave up two runs, none earned, on two hits, struck out five and walked five.

http://theardinalnation.com/player/trent-baker/

Hayes Heinecke threw the final two innings and surrendered three runs. Heinecke took the loss and was tagged with a blown save.

After two scoreless innings, the Beach Birds took a one-run lead in the third. Osvaldo reached base on a dropped third strike, advanced to second on a single by Brady Whalen and scored on a single by Jeremy Rivas.

Palm Beach increased the lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a solo home run by Darlin Moquete and a sac fly by Tyler Reichenborn.

In the fifth, Daytona plated two runs to cut the lead to 3-2. The Tortugas took a 4-3 lead in the seventh.

The Cardinals tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Rivas. Daytona walked it off with a run in the home half of the ninth to take the 5-4 win.

Jeremy Rivas

Rivas went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Moquete was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

On the base paths, Rivas was caught stealing for the second time this season. In the field, Baker made a throwing error.

Palm Beach is 14-26 on the season and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 12 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  at Daytona, Tink Hence RHP (0-1, 3.00) vs. Javi Rivera RHP (1-2, 3.33) 6:05 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Revamp Minor League Rosters


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – May 16-22

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

After a rough set in New York, the St. Louis Cardinals predictably fared better in Pittsburgh to salvage a 4-3 week. Rookie Nolan Gorman has been a productive addition. Our Blast From the Past recounts the biggest blowout win in Cardinals history.



Game recaps

Monday, May 16 – Cardinals at Mets (postponed)

The first game of the St. Louis Cardinals’ four-game series at the New York Mets was postponed due to rain in the forecast. It was made up in a doubleheader on Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 17 – Cardinals 1 at Mets 3 (Game 1)

The Cardinals lost to the Mets in the first game of the series, Game 1 of a doubleheader. Miles Mikolas made the start for St. Louis. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits, fanned five and walked one. Mikolas took the loss, his second of the season.

The 27th man for the day, Packy Naughton, threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Nick Wittgren got the final out of the eighth.

The Mets took an early 1-0 lead in the second, then added two in the third.. That score held until the eighth inning when the Cardinals scored their only run on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt.

The offense was held to one run on six hits. Dylan Carlson went 2-for-4 with a double and a single. Tommy Edman, Tyler O’Neill and Brendan Donovan contributed singles.

Donovan made a fielding error.

Tuesday, May 17 – Cardinals 4 at Mets 3 (Game 2)

The Cardinals were the victors over the Mets in the second game of the twin bill. Steven Matz took the mound for St. Louis. The left hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on three hits and fanned seven.

Andre Pallante took over in the sixth but could only get one out before walking the bases loaded. Genesis Cabrera was able to get the final two outs without damage and returned to throw a scoreless seventh. Ryan Helsley surrendered one unearned run in the eighth. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless ninth. Helsley got the win but was also tagged for a blown save. Gallegos earned his seventh save.

The Mets got on the board first with one run in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it up 1-1 in the fourth. Brendan Donovan led off with a single, then scored on a double by Paul Goldschmidt.

The Mets answered in the home half of the fourth with one run to retake the lead. St. Louis put up two runs in the fifth. Andrew Knizner singled and scored on a Tommy Edman triple. Edman scored on a double by Goldschmidt.

Paul Goldschmidt

The Mets knotted the game up at 3-3 in the eighth. In the ninth, Brendan Donovan walked, stole second base, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Tyler O’Neill drove Donovan in on a single to put the Cardinals up 4-3. Gallegos held off the Mets in the bottom of the ninth.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Knizner was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Harrison Bader and Edman each stole their ninth base of the season. Donovan swiped his first bag of the season. In the field, Knizner had a passed ball.

Wednesday, May 18 – Cardinals 4 at Mets 11

The Cardinals were shellacked by the Mets in the third game of the series at Citi Field on Wednesday. Jordan Hicks started for St. Louis and lasted four innings. The right hander gave up two runs on three hits, struck out five and walked three.

Jake Walsh relieved in the fifth but surrendered four runs without recording an out. Nick Wittgren replaced Walsh and threw a scoreless inning. Drew VerHagen hurled two scoreless innings. T.J. McFarland coughed up five runs in the eighth to turn it into a blowout. Walsh took the loss.

The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it in the second on a two-run single by Albert Pujols.

After the Mets put up four runs on Walsh, the Redbirds made it 6-4 on a two-run long ball from Nolan Arenado in the eighth. The Mets then hammered McFarland for five runs in the home eighth to blow the game open.

Arenado was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Dylan Carlson went 3-for-4 and Pujols was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

On the base paths, Pujols stole his first base of the season. Edmundo Sosa was caught stealing for the first time this season.

Thursday, May 19 – Cardinals 6 at Mets 7 (10 innings)

The Cardinals were edged by the Mets in final game of the four-game set. The two teams went back and forth but the Mets prevailed in 10th inning walkoff

Starter Dakota Hudson pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on five hits, struck out two and walked two. Nick Wittgren surrendered one run in relief in the fifth. Andre Pallante followed with two scoreless innings. Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley each threw a scoreless inning. Giovanny Gallegos surrendered two runs, one earned, in the 10th to take the loss, his second. He was also charged with the blown save.

The Mets scored first and took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Juan Yepez hit a solo home run in the second inning, and Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in the third to tie.

The Cardinals went up 3-2 in the fifth on doubles by Tommy Edman and Goldschmidt. The Mets jumped ahead 5-3 in the fifth.

St. Louis got one run back in the seventh. Edman walked and later scored on a sac fly double play by Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt tied it at 5-5 on an RBI single in the ninth.

The game went into the 10th and the Cardinals went up 6-5. Juan Yepez made the final out in the ninth and was pinch run for by Corey Dickerson as the ghost runner in the 10th. Dylan Carlson singled and Pujols hit into a double play that scored Dickerson.

In the home half of the 10th, with the ghost runner on second for the Mets, Gallegos gave up a two-run walk off home run to Pete Alonso on the second pitch he threw.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with four RBI. Harrison Bader was 3-for-5 and Yepez was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Brendan Donovan was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Bader stole his 10th and 11th bases of the season, tops in the NL.

Friday, May 20 – Cardinals 5 at Pirates 3

The Cardinals beat the Pirates on Friday night at PNC Park in the first of a three-game weekend series. Adam Wainwright started for St. Louis. The veteran right hander pitched seven innings and gave up one run on four hits, struck out three and walked three to earn his fifth win of the season.

Adam Wainwright

In the eighth, Genesis Cabrera got one out but surrendered two runs, one earned. Giovanny Gallegos took it from there to earn a five-out save, his eighth.

St Louis took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Tommy Edman singled, Paul Goldschmidt singled, and Edman scored on a fly out double play by Nolan Arenado.

In the sixth, the Cardinals increased the lead to 5-0. Arenado drew a walk and Juan Yepez singled. Nolan Gorman walked to load the bases. Dylan Carlson singled to plate Arenado. Yadier Molina singled and both Yepez and Gorman scored. Harrison Bader singled and drove in Carlson.

The Pirates offense finally got into the game in the seventh and eighth. A solo home run in the seventh made it 5-1. Pittsburgh posted two more in the eighth to bring it to 5-3. Gallegos held the Pirates from there.

Molina went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Carlson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Edman was 2-for-5. Bader drove in one run.

In the field, Arenado made a throwing error.

Saturday, May 21 – Cardinals 5 at Pirates 4

The Cardinals held off the Pirates for a one-run win on Saturday in the second game of the series. The Cardinals called up pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore to take the start. In his major league debut the left hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked two.

Drew VerHagen relieved and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, his first of the season. Andre Pallante and Ryan Helsley each tossed a scoreless inning. Helsley earned his second save.

The Cardinals put up four runs in the second inning. Juan Yepez walked, Dylan Carlson singled, and Yadier Molina reached on a fielder’s choice with a fielding error, which scored Yepez. Edmundo Sosa singled to plate Carlson. Paul Goldschmidt drove in Molina and Sosa on a double.

Paul Goldschmidt

The Pirates answered with two runs in the home second. In the fourth, the Cardinals increased the lead to 5-2 on an RBI single by Tommy Edman.

Pittsburgh added two runs in the in the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4. Both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Goldschmidt went 4-for-5 with two RBI. Edman and Sosa each plated a run.

Sunday, May 22 – Cardinals 18 at Pirates 4

For the second Sunday in a row, the Cardinals blew out their opponent and a position player pitched the ninth. The Cardinals rocked the Pirates for 18 runs in a game that was a shutout until the final inning.

The Cardinals opened with a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tommy Edman singled and scored on a Nolan Gorman double. St. Louis went to town offensively in the second with six runs on the board. Edmundo Sosa singled and Corey Dickerson walked. Harrison Bader plated Sosa on a single. Edman doubled to score Dickerson and Bader. Gorman singled and Nolan Arenado drove in Edman on a sac fly. Juan Yepez drew a walk. Brendan Donovan double to drive in Gorman and Yepez. The Cardinals went up 7-0.

In the fourth, St. Louis increased the lead to 11-0. Arenado singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Juan Yepez. Brendan Donovan singled and Sosa walked. With the bases juiced, Dickerson doubled to plate Yepez and Donovan. Sosa scored on a single by Andrew Knizner.

Albert Pujols hit his 682nd home career home run in the fifth to make it 12-0. An RBI double by Sosa increased it to 13-0.

In the ninth, the Pirates brought in a position player, Josh VanMeter, to pitch. Knizner singled. After an 8 minute rain delay, Harrison Bader thumped a two-run home run to left field to widen the blowout to 15-0. Edman doubled, Gorman walked, and Pujols hit his 683rd home run, a three-run shot for an 18-0 edge by St. Louis.

In the home half of the ninth, the Cardinals sent Yadier Molina to the mound. Molina gave up a solo home run, one run on a double, single and RBI ground out. With two outs, Molina surrendered a two-run home run, then got the final out on fly out to center.

Albert Pujols

Edman went 3-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored. Gorman was 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Pujols homered twice with four RBI and two runs scored. Donovan was 3-for-6 with two RBI. Sosa was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Knizner was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Bader was 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

On the base paths, Edman stole his 10th base of the season. In the field, Edman made a throwing error.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 26 15 0.634
St. Louis 23 18 0.561 3
Chicago 16 24 0.400 9.5
Pittsburgh 16 24 0.400 9.5
Cincinnati 12 28 0.300 13.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals lost 3 of 4 to the Mets to begin the period and ended with a series sweep of the Pirates, for a 4-3 record.

The three losses to the Mets were due to inconsistent offense and pitching failures. The offense couldn’t figure out Mets pitcher Trevor Williams in the first game of the doubleheader. They faced ace Max Scherzer on Wednesday and scored more runs againt him than Williams (2 vs 0) but lost big due to a mound failure. The offense did better against Chris Bassitt but a poor outing by Gallegos at the end doomed the Cardinals on Thursday. The only win for St. Louis in New York was a one-run decision in the second game of the Tuesday doubleheader.

The team bounced back against a weaker opponent in the Pirates with way more offense and less pitching issues. The blowout on Sunday inflated the Cardinals run differential and saved what began as a very poor week of offense and pitching.

Nolan Gorman

Paul Goldschmidt continues to be hot at the plate and ended the week with an OPS of 1.372.  The Cardinals called up Nolan Gorman for the Pirates series and he did not disappoint, either at the plate or in the field. In three games Gorman has an OPS of 1.283 and made some very good plays at second. Tommy Edman moved to shortstop to accommodate Gorman and was another top performer with an OPS of .923. Rounding out the top performers are Dylan Carlson (.895) and Brendan Donovan (.881).

Nolan Arenado has been in a deep slump, ending the week with an OPS of only .435. Yadier Molina entertained us all with a pitching appearance in the ninth inning of the Sunday blowout, but at the plate he has been a disappointment, with an OPS of just .352.

Injuries have also plagued the team. Tyler O’Neill is on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, and Carlson is set to have an MRI for a hamstring issue. The outfield has been hit the worst, with O’Neill out, Carlson maybe out, and Harrison Bader missing most of one game with a medication reaction. Bader came back but the issue caused Edman to have to play a few innings in center, which led to an inside the park home run that might not have occurred had O’Neill and Bader been there. To make matters worse, starter Steven Matz has a shoulder problem that caused him to exit Sunday’s game after throwing only four pitches.

Three members of the starting rotation, Mikolas, Wainwright and Hudson, continue to pitch. Hicks’ continuation in the rotation is a question and Matthew Liberatore is a new option. Now Matz appears to be injured.

The bullpen is in flux. Whitley, Woodford, and Walsh have been sent down to the minors. Angel Rondon was recalled and relieved Matz after his injury. Liberatore was sent back down after his start, but this was before Matz left the game on Sunday. The bright spot in the pen has been Ryan Helsley. He has pitched better than Gallegos, who has scuffled recently. Other members of the bullpen have been hit or miss.

Ryan Helsley

What could have been a dicey week of baseball was saved by the Pirates being the Pirates, which is not a good team. The Cardinals have managed to keep themselves within three games of the Brewers in the NL Central. How long that will last will depend on St. Louis getting their offense and pitching on track.

This coming week St. Louis plays two games against Toronto, then the Brewers for a four-game series. This week will be crucial for the Cardinals’ hopes to keep up with or pass the Brewers in the division.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 5/17 The Cardinals recalled LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/18 The Cardinals optioned LHP Packy Naughton to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/20 The Cardinals selected the contract of 2B Nolan Gorman from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/20 The Cardinals transferred RHP Jack Flaherty from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
  • 5/20 The Cardinals placed LF Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day injured list. Right shoulder impingement.
  • 5/21 The Cardinals selected the contract of LHP Matthew Liberatore from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/21 The Cardinals optioned RHP Jake Walsh to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/21 The Cardinals designated RHP T.J. Zeuch for assignment.
  • 5/22 The Cardinals optioned LHP Matthew Liberatore to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/22 The Cardinals recalled RHP Angel Rondon from the Memphis Redbirds.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room for the addition of Nolan Gorman to the big league roster. Flaherty continues to throw bullpen sessions and will throw a few more before facing live hitters. If all goes well with the live hitters, the right hander will progress to a rehab assignment. Flaherty’s return is expected some time in early June.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60 day IL. Reyes suffered shoulder soreness after throwing and has been shut down. The right hander had an MRI and is seeking a second opinion. The team awaits the results of the second opinion before deciding on a next move.
  • LF Tyler O’Neill (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The outfielder had been struggling at the plate with a .195 average in 32 games. The projected return is early June.
  • RF Dylan Carlson (left hamstring tightness) was removed from Saturday’s game against the Pirates. The outfielder is reportedly scheduled for an MRI. At this time he is considered day to day.
  • CF Harrison Bader was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup. The outfielder reportedly suffered a reaction to an anti-inflammatory he had taken for a sore heel. Bader made a two inning appearance in CF later in the game as a defensive replacement but did not take an at bat. He returned to the starting lineup for Sunday’s game.
  • LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder stiffness) was removed from Sunday’s game after throwing four pitches. Matz had reported some tightness in his shoulder prior to the game and showed discomfort while pitching to the first hitter. The left hander was removed from the game and replaced by newly recalled Angel Rondon. A Monday MRI is ahead.

Looking Ahead

Following the series in Pittsburgh, the team returns to St. Louis for two against the Toronto Blue Jays. Miles Mikolas gets the start on Monday. No pitcher has been announced for Tuesday.

After an off day, the homestand continues with a four-game series with the Brewers. The homestand ends with three against the Padres.

Following the homestand, the Cardinals travel to Wrigley Field to play the Cubs for the first time this season. After the four-game set ends on Sunday, June 5, the Cardinals travel to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a three game interleague series.

After the team leaves Florida they return to St. Louis for a six game homestand. The first three will be against the Reds.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast From the Past

The Cardinals slugged their way to two blowout wins in a week, both on Sunday games and both with position players pitching in the ninth inning. In honor of the dual blowouts, this week’s Blast remembers the Cardinals biggest blowout win in franchise history, which occurred almost a century ago.

On July 6, 1929, the Cardinals played the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. St. Louis lost the first game of the twin bill 10-6. The second game was a 28-6 blowout of the Phillies. This game remains the biggest victory margin for the Cardinals in franchise history.

Billy Southworth

At this time, St. Louis was led by player-manager Billy Southworth. Southworth replaced Bill McKechnie, who left the Cardinals after the team lost the 1928 World Series to the Yankees. Southworth’s 1929 Cardinals won only 43 of their first 88 games, and two weeks after this doubleheader was played, Southworth was sent back to the team he managed the previous season, the Rochester Red Wings, and the Cardinals rehired McKechnie.

The Cardinals starting lineup for this second game was as follows:  CF Taylor Douthit, 2B Carey Selph, 3B Andy High, 1B Jim Bottomley, LF Chick Hafey, RF Wattle Holm, C Jimmie Wilson, SS Charlie Gelbert and P Fred Frankhouse.

The starting lineup for the Phillies was: CF Denny Sothern, LF Lefty O’Doul, RF Chuck Klein, 3B Pinky Whitney, 2B Fresco Thompson, SS Tommy Stevenow, C Spud Davis and P Claude Willoughby.

St. Louis starter Frankhouse pitched the entire game. The Phillies started with Willoughby but used three additional pitchers, Elmer Miller, Luther Roy, and June Greene. Willoughby and Miller both pitched in the first inning but recorded no outs. Roy and Greene tossed 4 1/3 and 4 2/3 innings, respectively.

The Cardinals offense pounded Willoughby, Miller, and Roy for 10 runs in the top of the first inning. The Cardinals sent all nine players to the plate and the top five hitters returned before the inning ended.

Jim Bottomley

Douthit and Selph walked. High, Bottomley, and Hafey each singled to the outfield. Douthit, Selph and High scored. Holm walked and Willoughby was out of the game. Miller entered in relief.

Miller walked Wilson and Gelbert, Bottomley and Hafey scored. Miller came out and Roy was brought in.

Frankhouse and Douthit singled, Holm and Gelbert scored. Selph made the first out on a sac bunt. High made the second out on a fielder’s choice. Bottomley singled to plate Frankhouse and High. Hafey made the third out on a ground out to third. When the inning ended, the Cardinals led 10-0.

The Phillies scored two runs on Frankhouse in the home half of the first on a single to Sothern, two walks to O’Doul and Whitney, and a two run single to Thompson.

The Cardinals and Phillies each scored one run in the second inning. In the fourth, the Cardinals scored two and the Phillies plated one.

In the fifth, the Cardinals busted out for 10 more runs. Roy was still on the mound for Philadelphia. The Phillies pitcher walked Bottomley, gave up a double to Hafey and got the first out on a sac fly by Holm that scored Bottomley. Roy then allowed a single to Wilson that scored Hafey and then a double to Gelbert. Roy was done and Greene came in to relieve.

Greene’s line began like this: Single to Frankhouse, Wilson and Gelbert scored. Single to Douthit, walk to Eddie Delker (pinch ran for Selph in the fourth). Hit by pitch of High, Frankhouse scored. Grand slam by Bottomley. Hafey doubled; Holm singled. Wilson made the second out on a ground out that scored Hafey. Gelbert made the final out on a ground out to short. The inning ended with 10 runs scored and the Cardinals leading 23-4.

Chick Hafey

Neither team scored for the next 1 1/2 innings. Greene gave up five runs in the eighth on an RBI single by High and a second grand slam, this one off the bat of Hafey.

Frankhouse gave up two more runs, one on a sac fly by O’Doul in the bottom of the eighth and the final one on an RBI double in the ninth by Thevenow. Final score: 28-6.

The Cardinals played the Phillies in two more games in that series. One was a 6-5 loss and the final one was a 7-4 win for St. Louis. The Cardinals finished that season in fourth place in the NL with a record of 78-74-2.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals 2022 Dominican Summer League Schedule Released

Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 21, 2022

photo: Gordon Graceffo (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-1 on Friday, with Palm Beach postponed. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Peoria pitcher Gordon Graceffo, who pitched a six-inning scoreless gem, with five punchouts and one walk. Other standouts include Connor Thomas, Todd Lott and Masyn Winn.

Results from games played Friday, May 20.



Memphis 2 at Gwinnett 3

The Memphis Redbirds were topped by the Gwinnett Stripers in a 3-2 contest at Coolray Field on Friday. Connor Thomas took the mound for Memphis. The left hander pitched six innings, gave up one run on six hits, and fanned five.

Connor Thomas

Kyle Ryan relieved and threw a scoreless seventh. Junior Fernandez surrendered two runs, one earned, in the eighth and took the loss. He was also tagged with a blown save.

The game was scoreless for the first 3 ½ innings until Gwinnett put up the first run of the game. Memphis quickly tied it a 1-1 in the fifth. Ben DeLuzio doubled, stole third and scored on a throwing error.

The Redbirds took the lead 2-1 in the sixth on an RBI single by Ali Sanchez. In the eighth, the Stripers scored two runs to retake the lead 3-2. Memphis was unable to respond.

Alec Burleson went 3-for-4. The offense scored two runs on eight hits and was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

On the base paths, DeLuzio stole his sixth base of the season. Evan Mendoza swiped two bases.

In the field, DeLuzio made a fielding error.

Memphis has a record of 21-19 on the season and is in sixth place in the International League West, six games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Gwinnett, Aaron Brooks RHP (0-1, 4.91) vs. Touki Touissant RHP (1-1, 5.16) 5:05 CT.

Springfield 5 at Wichita 3

The Springfield Cardinals beat the first place Wind Surge in a 5-3 contest in Wichita on Friday night. Tyler Pike started for Springfield. The left hander pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up one run on three hits, struck out five and issued one free pass.

Michael Brettell surrendered two runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Brettell got the win, his second. Grant Black earned his first save with two scoreless innings pitched.

Wichita put the first run of the game on the board in the second inning. Springfield answered in the third on a two-run long ball by Matt Koperniak.

The scored remained 2-1 until seventh inning, when the Wind Surge went ahead 3-2. The Cardinals responded by scoring three runs in the eight to regain the lead. Jonah Davis drew a walk. Jordan Walker doubled to left to plate Davis. Todd Lott then thumped a two-run home run to right field to give Springfield a 5-3 lead that they would not relinquish.

Todd Lott

The Cardinals scored five runs on six hits. Koperniak drove in two. Lott also plated two runs. Walker had one RBI.

In the field, Irving Lopez made a throwing error.

Springfield is 15-22 on the year and stands in last place in the Texas League North, eight games back of first place Wichita.

Saturday’s game:  at Wichita, Kyle Leahy RHP (1-4, 6.56) vs. Chris Vallimont RHP (0-2, 9.95) 6:05 CT.

Peoria 5 at Beloit 2

The Peoria Chiefs defeated the Sky Carp on Wednesday night at Beloit’s ABC Supply Stadium. Gordon Graceffo got the start for Peoria. The right hander pitched six scoreless innings, allowed five runs, struck out five and walked one to earn his third win of the season.

Gordon Graceffo

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson surrendered two runs in the seventh. Leonardo Taveras tossed the final two scoreless innings and earned his first save of the season.

The Chiefs put up four runs out of the gate in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Masyn Winn singled on a line drive to left field. Mike Antico drew a walk. Winn then stole third base. Aaron Antonini walked to load the bases. Jacob Buchberger grounded into a force out and Winn scored. Antonini was out at second. Matt Chamberlain singled to right and Antico scored. Francisco Hernandez followed with a double to center, plating Buchberger and Chamberlain.

The score held at 4-0 until the sixth inning when Peoria added a fifth run to make it 5-0. Carlos Soto doubled and Thomas Francisco doubled to score Soto.

Beloit rallied with two runs in seventh but those were the only runs scored for either team in the final innings.

Masyn Winn

The Chiefs offense was led by Winn who had a 3-for-5 night with a run scored. Chamberlain went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hernandez drove in two.

On the base paths, Winn stole two bases to increase his tally to 15 on the season. Antico purloined his 18th base.

In the field, Winn made a throwing error.

Peoria is 16-21 on the season and sits in fourth place in the Midwest League West, nine games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  at Beloit, Dionys Rodriguez RHP (0-3, 4.06) vs. LHP Zach King 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach vs. Bradenton (postponed)

The game between Palm Beach and Bradenton on Friday was postponed due to rain. The game will made up on Saturday, May 21 as the first game of a doubleheader.

Saturday’s games:  vs. Bradenton, LHP Chris Gerard (1-2, 3.94) and RHP Inohan Paniagua (1-3, 2.09) vs. TBA 3:00 CT (Game 1 with Game 2 to follow)


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 7


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 19, 2022

photo: Matt Koperniak (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 1-3 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is LF Matt Koperniak, who went 4-for-5 with a steal and run scored in Springfield’s extra inning loss. Other standouts include Alec Burleson, L.J. Jones, Edwin Nunez and Wade Stauss.

Results from games played Wednesday, May 18.



Memphis 3 at Gwinnett 4

The Memphis Redbirds were edged by the Gwinnett Stripers in a one run game on Wednesday night. Recently sent down by St. Louis, Jake Woodford took the mound for Memphis. The right hander pitched three innings, gave up two runs on four hits and walked two.

Angel Rondon relieved and surrendered one run in two innings pitched. James Naile threw the sixth and seventh innings and allowed one run. Zach McAllister tossed a scoreless eighth. Naile took the loss, his second of the season.

Gwinnett took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, then increased the lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Memphis finally answered with a three-run home run by Alec Burleson in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3.

Alec Burleson

The Stripers regained the lead with one run in the seventh. The Redbirds were unable to respond.

Nolan Gorman went 3-for-4, all singles. Burleson was 2-for-4 with three RBI. The offense scored three runs on six hits, struck out 12 times and was 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

On the base paths, Burleson stole his second base of the season. In the field, Scott Hurst had an outfield assist at third base.

Memphis has a record of 21-17 and is in third place in the International League West, five games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  at Gwinnett, Zack Thompson LHP (2-0, 3.86) vs. Huascar Ynoa RHP (1-2, 6.41) 6:05 CT.

Springfield 6 at Wichita 7 (11 innings)

The Double-A Cardinals suffered a heartbreaking walk off loss to the Wind Surge in an extra innings road contest on Wednesday night. Edgar Escobar started for Springfield. The right hander pitched four innings, gave up two runs on six hits and fanned five.

Tyler Pike surrendered two runs in the fifth. Grant Black added two scoreless innings. Kevin Marnon hurled a scoreless eighth. Johan Quezada allowed two run in his two innings pitched. Freddy Pacheco gave up the walk off home run in the 11th and took the loss, his third of the season. Pacheco was also tagged with a blown save.

Wichita got on the board first with two runs in the first inning. The Cardinals tied it up 2-2 in the third on a long ball by Jordan Walker.

The Wind Surge regained the lead with two scores in the fifth. Wichita held a 4-2 lead until the ninth when Springfield knotted it up despite not getting a hit. Delvin Perez led off with a walk, and Jonah Davis reached on an error. Jordan Walker drew a walk to load the bases. Moises Gomez was hit by a pitch and Perez scored. Davis came home on a bases loaded walk.

Neither team scored in the 10th. In the top of the 11th, Irving Lopez, who started the inning on second base, came home on a double play ball from Walker. Gomez then hit a solo home run to put the Cardinals up 6-4. It was his 17th of the season.

In the home half of the 11th, Pacheco could not protect the two-run lead. Via a walk and a three-run home run, Wichita walked it off 7-6.

Leadoff man and left fielder Matt Koperniak went 4-for-5 with a run scored and his sixth stolen base of the season. Nick Dunn was 2-for-5. Walker and Gomez each drove in two. The Cards fanned 14 times, went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.

Matt Koperniak

Springfield is 14-21 and is in last place in the Texas League North, eight games back of first place Wichita.

Thursday’s game:  at Wichita, Connor Lunn RHP (2-3, 4.70) vs. Simeon Woods Richardson RHP (2-1, 2.20) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 1 at Beloit 4

The Peoria Chiefs could only scratch one run out of six hits in a loss to the Sky Carp in Beloit. Starter Logan Gragg pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on five hits and struck out three. Gragg took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Nathanael Heredia surrendered two runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Wilfredo Pereira tossed a scoreless eighth.

The Chiefs scored their only run in the fourth inning. Mike Antico began with a triple. Thomas Francisco was hit by a pitch. L.J. Jones singled to plate Antico.

In the sixth, Beloit posted three runs to take the lead. The Sky Carp added a fourth run in the seventh.

Jones went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Tommy Jew and Masyn Winn doubled.

LJ Jones IV

On the base paths, Jew stole his 10th base of the season. In the field, Winn made a throwing error. Matt Chamberlain had an outfield assist at third base, and Jew had an outfield assist at home.

Peoria is 14-21 on the season and stands in fourth place in the Midwest League West, 10 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  at Beloit, Michael McGreevy RHP (2-1, 2.52) vs. LHP Dax Fulton 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 4, Bradenton 2

The Palm Beach Cardinals defeated the Bradenton Marauders in a 4-2 contest In Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday night. Zane Mills started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up two runs on eight hits, struck out six and walked two.

Edwin Nuñez

Edwin Nunez threw two scoreless innings to earn his first win. The righty struck out four, yielded no hits and walked just one. Bryan Pope tossed two scoreless innings and was awarded his first save.

The Beach Birds scored first. In the second inning, Jeremy Rivas reached on a fielding error. Aaron McKeithan singled, and the runners advanced on a sac bunt by Wade Stauss. Ramon Mendoza grounded out to third and Rivas scored.

Bradenton plated a run in the fourth to tie the game and took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. The Cardinals answered in the sixth with two to take a 3-2 lead. Osvaldo Tovalin led off with a single. Rivas followed with a walk. McKeithan singled to load the bases. Stauss drove in two on a double.

Wade Stauss

Palm Beach added a fourth run in the eighth. Brady Whalen singled and stole second base. Whalen scored on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt.

The Cardinals scored four runs on seven hits. McKeithan went 2-for-4. Stauss drove in two.

On the base paths, Rivas stole his fifth base of the season. Whalen swiped his second base. In the field, Mendoza made a fielding error.

Palm Beach is 13-22 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 11.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Bradenton, Carlos Guarate RHP (0-3, 5.40) vs. TBA 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Make Seven Wednesday Minors Moves


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 18, 2022

photo: Trent Baker (Palm Beach Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-1 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Palm Beach starter Trent Baker, who tossed seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 shutout over Bradenton. Other mound standouts include Johan Oviedo and Austin Love.

Results from games played Tuesday, May 17.



Memphis 8 at Gwinnett 2

The Memphis Redbirds won their sixth straight by defeating the Gwinnett Stripers in an 8-2 contest at Coolray Field on Tuesday night. Johan Oviedo started for Memphis. The right hander pitched seven innings and gave up one run on four hits, fanned six and walked three to earn his third win of the season.

Johan Oviedo

Junior Fernandez threw a scoreless eighth. Brandon Waddell surrendered one run in the ninth.

The Redbirds scored their first run in the first inning. Kramer Robertson walked, and Nolan Gorman doubled. Robertson scored on a sac fly by Paul DeJong.

Memphis added three runs in the second on an RBI double by Ivan Herrera, a ground out off the bat of Ben DeLuzio, and a throwing error.  In the third, Herrera drove in his second run on a double.

Back-to-back home runs by Robertson and Gorman in the fourth increased the lead to 7-0. In the seventh, Gwinnett scored one run to end the shutout.

Nolan Gorman

Alec Burleson drove in the eighth run in the top of the ninth. The Stripers answered in the home half with one additional run for the final score of 8-2.

Gorman went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. The home run was his 15th of the season. Conner Capel was also 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Burleson was 2-for-5 with an RBI and Herrera was 2-for-3 with two RBI and was charged with a passed ball.

Memphis has a record of 21-16 and is in third place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Gwinnett, Matthew Liberatore LHP (3-3, 3.83) vs. TBD 6:05 CT.

Springfield 9 at Wichita 11

The Springfield Cardinals were the victims of a bullpen meltdown that put them in the loss column in this 11-9 slugfest in Wichita on Tuesday. Starter Domingo Robles went 4 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on eight hits, struck out two and walked two to get a no decision.

In the fifth with Springfield holding a 5-1 lead, Michael Brettell relieved with one out and the bases loaded and gave up a game-tying grand slam. He then surrendered four runs of his own in the seventh with the help of Sean Kealey, who took over in the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs. Kealey was responsible for the final two runs of the six-run seventh inning. Ryan Loutos tossed the final 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Kealey took the loss and was charged with a blown save.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on long ball by Nick Dunn. The lead increased to 4-0 in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run by Delvin Perez.

The Wind Surge posted their first run in the home half of the fourth. Springfield came back in the top of the fifth to add more run to their tally to make it 5-1 on a solo home run by Moises Gomez, his MiLB-leading 16th.

Moisés Gómez

After Wichita tied the game on the grand slam in the fifth, the Cardinals answered with three runs in the sixth to make it 8-5. Irving Lopez began the inning with a walk. Jordan Walker walked, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Gomez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Pedro Pages cleared the bases on a double to left field.

In the seventh inning, the Cardinals bullpen gave up the lead as Wichita scored six. A brief rally began in the ninth but fell short. Nick Dunn singled and scored on an Irving Lopez double with two outs. A fly out by Matt Koperniak ended the rally.

Pedro Pages

Lopez went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Pages was 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Dunn was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

In the field, Walker and Gomez each made a throwing error. Perez had an outfield assist at third base.

Springfield is 14-20 and is in last place in the Texas League North, seven games back of first place Wichita.

Wednesday’s game:  at Wichita, Edgar Escobar RHP (2-1, 5.64) vs. Louie Varland RHP (4-1, 3.69) 7:05 CT.

Peoria 5 at Beloit 2

The Peoria Chiefs blew past the Sky Carp with a three-run victory on Tuesday night at ABC Supply Stadium in Beloit. Austin Love took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked two. Love took the win, his fourth of the season.

Austin Love

Leonardo Taveras threw two scoreless innings. In his 2022 Peoria debut, Gianluca Dalatri tossed a scoreless ninth for the save.

Beloit got on the board first with one run in the first inning. The 1-0 lead remained until the fifth when the Chiefs put three runs on the board. Carlos Soto drew a walk. Noah Mendlinger was hit by a pitch and Masyn Winn walked. Mike Antico plated Soto and Mendlinger on a single. Aaron Antonini singled to score Winn.

The Sky Carp scored their second run in the sixth. Peoria increased its lead to 5-2 in the eighth on a two run double by Thomas Francisco.

Going 2-for-3, Mack Chambers was the only Chief with multiple hits. Antico and Francisco each had two RBI.

On the base paths, Winn stole his 13th base of the season. Antico swiped his 17th base. Chambers was picked off second base.

In the field, Antico had an outfield assist at third base.

Peoria is 14-20 and sits in fourth place in the Midwest League West, 10 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  at Beloit, RH Logan Gragg (1-3, 5.60) vs. Pat Monteverde, 6:35 CT

Palm Beach 4, Bradenton 0

The Palm Beach Cardinals blanked the Bradenton Marauders on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Stadium, breaking their six-game losing skid. Trent Baker was on the bump for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed four hits, struck out six and walked two to earn his second win of the season.

Trent Baker

Jose Moreno tossed the final two scoreless innings. The right hander was awarded his first save of the season.

The Beach Birds scored the first run on a solo home run by Brady Whalen in the second inning. Osvaldo Tovalin drove in the second run on a double in the third.

The lead remained 2-0 until the eighth. Whalen and Jeremy Rivas walked. Aaron McKeithan moved the runners up on a single. Whalen scored on a ground out by Luis Rodriguez. A wild pitch sent Rivas home and the Beach Birds led 4-0, a score that held in the ninth.

On the base paths, Whalen stole his first base of the season. Tyler Reichenborn was caught stealing for the fourth time and had an outfield assist at third base.

Palm Beach has a record of 12-22 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 12 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Bradenton, Zane Mills RHP (1-2, 3.47) vs. Valentin Linarez RHP (0-3, 8.44) 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Farm System – 2022 Six-Week Exam


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – May 9-15

photo: Brendan Donovan (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The second-place St. Louis Cardinals went 3-3 on the week, splitting two home series. Rookie Brendan Donovan has sparked the offense with dependable veteran Miles Mikolas leading the rotation. Our history feature recounts the 2003 “Typhoon Game” at Wrigley Field.



Game recaps

Monday, May 9 – Off day

Tuesday, May 10 – Cardinals 3, Orioles 5

The St. Louis Cardinals met the Baltimore Orioles in an interleague series at Busch Stadium. St. Louis lost to Baltimore in the first game of the three game series on Tuesday.

Packy Naughton started for the Cardinals in place of Adam Wainwright who remained on the Covid-IL. The left hander pitched 3 1/3 innings, gave up three runs on five hits, and struck out two. Kodi Whitley relieved and surrendered one run in 1 1/3 innings. Nick Wittgren allowed one run in his 1 1/3 innings before Andre Pallante threw a scoreless seventh. T.J. McFarland tossed the final two scoreless innings. Naughton took the loss, his first of the season.

The Orioles got on the board first with two runs in the third inning. They widened their tally with one run in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take the 5-0 lead. St. Louis finally scored in the home half of the sixth. Yadier Molina doubled to lead off. Harrison Bader followed with an inside the park home run to cut the Orioles lead to 5-2. Bader’s inside the park home run was the first by a Cardinal since Fernando Vina in San Francisco on May 9, 2000. It was the first by a Cardinal at Busch Stadium since 1985.

Harrison Bader

The score remained 5-2 until the ninth, when Brendan Donovan hit a solo home run.

St. Louis’ offense scored three runs on seven hits. No Cardinal had multiple hits. Bader drove in two.

Wednesday, May 11 – Cardinals 10, Orioles 1

The Cardinals regrouped to pummel the Orioles in a 10-1 contest Wednesday. Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched seven innings and gave up one run on four hits, struck out three and walked one to earn the win.

Miles Mikolas

Jake Walsh tossed the final two scoreless innings.

In the second inning, the Cardinals took a 3-0 lead on a solo home run by Juan Yepez and a two-run double by Brendan Donovan.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 7-0 with a four-run fourth inning. Harrison Bader singled. Donovan drew a walk. Tommy Edman singled to plate Bader. Paul Goldschmidt followed with double that scored Donovan and Edman. Goldschmidt crossed the plate vi a Nolan Arenado double.

The Orioles posted their only run in the fifth. St. Louis widened their tally to 8-1 in the sixth on a Goldschmidt RBI single.

The Cardinals scored two more in the eighth to make it 10-1. Albert Pujols drew a walk to begin the inning. Donovan doubled. Pujols scored on a ground out by Edman. Donovan came in on a ground out by pinch hitter Kramer Robertson.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Juan Yepez was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Edman and Donovan drove in two each.

In the field, Robertson made a throwing error.

Thursday, May 12 – Cardinals 2, Orioles 3

The Cardinals lost the interleague series to the Orioles with a 3-2 defeat on Thursday. Steven Matz took the mound for St. Louis. The left hander pitched 6 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on seven hits and fanned seven. Matz took the loss, his third of the season.

Genesis Cabrera relieved and got the final out of the seventh. Nick Wittgren and Giovanny Gallegos each tossed a scoreless inning.

Baltimore scored first with one run in the second inning. In the seventh, the Orioles put up two more runs. The Cardinals answered with one run in the home half of the seventh on a solo home run by Dylan Carlson.

St. Louis added their second and final run in the eighth on a sac fly by Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals managed six hits in total with no Cardinal having multiple hits.

On the base paths, Paul Goldschmidt stole his third base of the season.

Friday, May 13 – Cardinals 2, Giants 8

The Giants came to town for a three-game series. The Cardinals were defeated 8-2 in the opener. Jordan Hicks started and the hard-throwing right hander pitched five innings, gave up three runs on three hits, struck out three and walked two. Hicks took the loss, his third of the season.

Packy Naughton relieved and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Jake Walsh secured the final two outs of the seventh. Nick Wittgren started the eighth and surrendered two runs while recording one out. T.J. McFarland allowed three more runs in the inning but got the final two outs. Jake Woodford tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals scored first with one run in the first inning. Tommy Edman drew a walk and stole second base. Edman advanced to third on a wild pitch and came in on a groundout by Paul Goldschmidt.

The Giants quickly tied it in the second, then added two runs in the third to take a 3-1 lead. The score remained 3-1 until the eighth when the Giants blew the game open with a five-run outburst.

In the home half of the eighth, the Cardinals posted their second and final run on a solo home run by Goldschmidt. The Cardinals first baseman was 2-for-4 and drove in both St. Louis runs. Brendan Donovan was 2-for-2.

On the base paths, Edman stole his league leading eighth bag of the season.

Saturday, May 14 – Cardinals 4, Giants 0

The Cardinals blanked the Giants 4-0 in the second game of the weekend series. Dakota Hudson took the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings, allowed five hits, struck out two and walked two to earn his third win of the season.

Dakota Hudson

Genesis Cabrera threw a scoreless sixth. Andre Pallante and Ryan Helsley combined for the next two scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals put up their first run in the second inning on an RBI double by Brendan Donovan. Tommy Edman’s solo home run in the fifth made it 2-0 in favor of St. Louis.

In the seventh, the Redbirds added two more runs. Edmundo Sosa singled and scored on a double by Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt crossed the plate on a double by Nolan Arenado.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Yadier Molina was 2-for-4. Edman, Goldschmidt and Donovan each drove in a run.

Sunday, May 15 – Cardinals 15, Giants 6

In what turned out to be one of the most entertaining ESPN Sunday Night Baseball games, the Cardinals shellacked the Giants 15-6 in Game 3 to take the series. Starter Adam Wainwright pitched six innings. The right-hander gave up two runs on three hits, fanned five and walked two to earn his fourth win of the season and an MLB-record 203rd career team win with Yadier Molina catching.

T.J. McFarland threw a scoreless seventh. Drew VerHagen followed with a scoreless eighth. Albert Pujols (yes, that Albert Pujols) pitched the ninth. The future Hall of Famer gave up a pair of home runs for four runs, but no one cared because it was fun, and the game was a blowout anyway.

St. Louis’ offense attacked Giants starter Carlos Rodon early, with four in the first inning. A two-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt preceded a two-run single by Yadier Molina.

Paul Goldschmidt

In the third inning, Pujols drove in a run on a single. In the fourth, Edmundo Sosa plated Harrison Bader on a single and Sosa scored on a double by Goldschmidt. Nolan Arenado completed the four-run inning with a two-run home run.

Molina hit a two-run home run in the fifth. The Giants scored in the sixth on a two-run home run by Joc Pederson.

The Cardinals took two right back on Andrew Knizner’s single in the home half of the sixth. Knizner collected his third RBI in the seventh on a hit by pitch. Dylan Carlson drove in a run on a single.

In the ninth, with the score 15-2, Albert Pujols came in to pitch. The Giants had used a position player pitcher on the mound, OF Luis Gonzalez, in part of the seventh and all of the eighth. Pujols gave up four runs on home runs by Gonzalez and Joey Bart. He also gave up a hit to Evan Longoria, who asked to keep the ball.

Everyone in the Cardinals starting lineup had a hit. Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Juan Yepez was 2-for-4. Pujols was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Molina was 2-for-3 with four RBI. Dylan Carlson was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Harrison Bader stole his eighth base of the season, tying Tommy Edman for the league lead. Bader also was mic’d up by ESPN and offered his own brand of in-game entertainment.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 22 13 0.629
St. Louis 19 15 0.559 2.5
Pittsburgh 15 19 0.441 6.5
Chicago 13 20 0.394 8
Cincinnati 9 26 0.257 13

The Big Picture

The Cardinals finished the week with a record of 3-3 in six games. They lost 2-of-3 at the hands of Baltimore but won 2-of-3 from the Giants. The Cardinals remain in second place in the NL Central, 2.5 games back of Milwaukee.

The offense remained inconsistent, but improved slightly this past week, due in part to some recent callups from Memphis. Juan Yepez and Brendan Donovan have played well and are likely to stick around for a while.

Brendan Donovan

The top offensive players for the week are Donovan (1.611 OPS in 6 games), Andrew Knizner (1.334 OPS in 4 games), Paul Goldschmidt (1.328 OPS in 5 games), Albert Pujols (1.267 OPS in 3 games), and Yadier Molina (1.071 OPS in 4 games).

Former starting shortstop Paul DeJong was sent down to Triple-A and was replaced by a combination of Donovan and Edmundo Sosa. Left-fielder Tyler O’Neill (.166 OPS) continues to struggle and didn’t play in the last two games.

Miles Mikolas

The starting pitching was better this week in that no starter had a particularly bad game. Miles Mikolas continues to stand out in the rotation. Adam Wainwright caught Covid and missed his Tuesday start but made the start on Sunday and pitched well. Dakota Hudson also recovered from his poor starts last week and pitched a good game against the Giants on Saturday. Steven Matz also bounced back with a quality start over the Orioles.

The bullpen had some changes this week as Kodi Whitley, Packy Naughton and Jake Woodford were optioned to Memphis, making room for rookie Jake Walsh, veteran Drew VerHagen off the IL and the return of Adam Wainwright, also from the injured list. Most of the bullpen has been good, with the exception of Nick Wittgren, who had a poor appearance for the Cardinals on Friday against the Giants.

The Cardinals leave for a road trip that begins in New York and ends in Pittsburgh. The four-game series against the 23-13, first-place Mets will be tough and potentially tense considering the hit-by-pitches, fines and suspensions when they met in St. Louis. The Pirates are the Pirates. They will give the Cardinals a fight, but the team should be able to handle them. The Mets are a different story. With the Cardinals 2.5 games behind the Brewers, a sweep of the Pirates would be helpful. A split with the Mets would be a plus if they can pull it off.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 5/10 The Cardinals optioned SS Paul DeJong to the Memphis Redbirds
  • 5/10 The Cardinals selected the contract of 2B Kramer Robertson from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/10 The Cardinals sent SS Edmundo Sosa on a rehab assignment to Springfield Cardinals
  • 5/11 The Cardinals recalled RHP Jake Walsh from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/11 The Cardinals optioned RHP Kodi Whitley to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/12 The Cardinals optioned 2B Kramer Robertson to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/12 The Cardinals sent RHP Drew VerHagen on a rehab assignment to the Springfield Cardinals.
  • 5/14 The Cardinals optioned LHP Packy Naughton to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/14 The Cardinals activated RHP Drew VerHagen.
  • 5/15 The Cardinals optioned RHP Jake Woodford to the Memphis Redbirds
  • 5/15 The Cardinals activated RHP Adam Wainwright from the injured list.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) had imaging done on his shoulder which revealed inflammation as well as a small tear called a SLAP tear (superior labrum and posterior). Flaherty told the media the tear has been there for several years and is unrelated to the inflammation. Flaherty received a PRP injection in the shoulder. The right hander was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season. Flaherty was throwing at increasing distances on flat ground. He then had a series on bullpen sessions, including most recently this past week while the team was in St. Louis.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) remains on the 60-day IL. The latest news is not good. Reyes reportedly suffered shoulder soreness after throwing this week and has been shut down again. The right-hander had an MRI and is seeking a second opinion.

Alex Reyes

  • RHP Drew VerHagen was activated from the 10-day injured list on May 14. He suffered from a hip impingement and had made one appearance for Memphis on a rehab assignment before testing positive for Covid-19. After VerHagen was released from Covid protocols he made one rehab appearance for the Springfield Cardinals on May 12.
  • INF Edmundo Sosa had been placed on the COVID IL on May 3. Sosa was released from Covid protocols and was sent on a rehab assignment in Springfield on May 10. The infielder was activated on Thursday, May 12 and started at shortstop against the Giants on Saturday.
  • RHP Adam Wainwright was placed on the COVID IL on May 6. Wainwright was released from Covid protocols and started against the Giants on Sunday.

Looking Ahead

St. Louis travels to New York to take on the Mets in four games. Miles Mikolas is scheduled to make the start on Monday. The probable pitchers for the remainder of the series are Steven Matz and Jordan Hicks with Thursday afternoon’s starter to be announced.

The Cardinals will then go to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates in a weekend series.

The following week, the Cards return to St. Louis for a two-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.

After an off day, the homestand will continue with a four-game set with the first-place Brewers. The homestand will end with three against the Padres.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

Wrigley Field (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

In this week’s Blast from the Past, we remember a game that didn’t count. This game between the Cardinals and the Cubs was ultimately rained out, but was memorable not only for the extreme weather, but for the extreme offense. A total of 20 runs and 21 hits, including seven home runs, was compiled by both teams in only four innings. This game was played on May 11, 2003 (Mother’s Day) at Wrigley Field. The game was called by some “The Typhoon Game,” with a summary of the day’s events following.

Chicago is known as “The Windy City” and weather conditions at Wrigley Field are well known for contributing to a lot of offense, depending on the speed and direction of the wind. When rain is added to those conditions it can make for some extreme outcomes. In the past, games with these types of weather conditions were not played, but in this instance, this one was attempted.

On that Mother’s Day, the temperature was 53 degrees at first pitch, but quickly fell into the 40s as the game progressed. The wind was blowing at 23 mph with gusts up to 47 mph. A steady rain fell throughout the game. There is video available of this game here.

St. Louis’ starting lineup was: 2B Fernando Vina, RF J.D. Drew, LF Albert Pujols, CF Jim Edmonds, 3B Scott Rolen, 1B Tino Martinez, SS Edgar Renteria, C Mike Matheny, P Brett Tomko.

The Chicago starting lineup was:  3B Mark Bellhorn, SS Alex Gonzalez, RF Troy O’Leary, LF Moises Alou, 1B Hee-Seop Choi, CF Corey Patterson, 2B Mark Grudzielanek, C Damien Miller, P Matt Clement.

The Cardinals came to the plate first and the leadoff hitter, Vina, singled to right. Drew followed with a ground ball to the shortstop, forcing Vina out at second. Pujols forced out Drew at third. Edmonds walked, and the inning ended with a strike out by Rolen.

The Cubs came to bat in the home half of the first. Bellhorn flied out to left. Gonzalez walked. O’Leary forced Gonzalez out at second. Alou then hit a two-run home run to right center field. The inning concluded with a ground out by Choi.

Albert Pujols (USA TODAY Sports Images)

The Cardinals answered in the top of the second. Martinez struck out. Renteria doubled to right center. Matheny singled to left and Renteria scored. Tomko struck out. Vina singled, Drew hit an infield single, and the bases were loaded. Pujols hit a grand slam to left center to give the Cardinals a 5-2 lead. Edmonds grounded out to second to end the inning.

Eli Marrero replaced Drew in right field. A reason was never given but the Cubs announcers speculated Drew was injured running out his infield hit.

The inning began with a solo home run by Patterson. Grudzielanek singled to right. Miller grounded into a double play. Clement popped out to second. The Cardinals led 5-3.

In the top of the third, Rolen struck out swinging. Martinez followed with a solo home run to left center to increase St. Louis’ lead to 6-3. Renteria ground out to third and Matheny struck out swinging.

In the bottom of the third, Bellhorn grounded out to first. Gonzalez then doubled to right center and O’Leary followed with a two-run long ball to center, cutting the Cardinals’ lead to 6-5. Alou grounded out to shortstop and Choi struck out swinging.

The fourth inning began with Tomko grounding out to third. Vina doubled to right center and Marrero drew a walk. Pujols grounded to third, Marrero out at second on the fielder’s choice. Edmonds then hit a wind-aided double to left (the video shows Alou coming in on the ball and then veering to his left sharply to try to run it down; he failed). Vina and Pujols scored on the double to make it 8-5. Rolen was hit by a pitch (Clement had become very wild). Martinez then blasted a three-run shot to right to increase the Cardinals’ lead to 11-5. Clement then hit Matheny on the back of his helmet (as he turned away from the inside pitch). Matheny glared at Clement and at that point, manager Dusty Baker removed Clement and brought in Juan Cruz. Cruz then threw a wild pitch, advancing Renteria to third and Matheny to second. Tomko ended the inning by grounding out to short.

Eli Marrero

The top of the fourth began with a Patterson single to right and a Grudzielanek double to left. Miller flied out to center. Cruz hit a sac fly to right center. Marrero and Edmonds converged on the ball, then Marrero pulled up sharply and fell, with his right leg folding under him. Medical personnel from both teams came out to aid Marrero and after a few minutes the right fielder was carted off on a stretcher. (Marrero suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out until September.) Edmonds caught the ball, but a run scored on the sac fly to cut St. Louis’ lead to 11-6.

The inning continued with Eduardo Perez replacing Marrero in right field. Bellhorn singled to right, scoring Grudzielanek. Gonzalez then thumped a two-run home run to left to make it 11-9. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pulled Tomko and replaced him with Steve Kline. O’Leary singled to left, Alou walked. Kline struck out Choi to end the inning.

When the game came back from commercial, the rain had increased to a sideways gale. After Cruz threw four pitches to Vina, the umpires stopped the game. Because the game was not official, all the stats were thrown out and the game ceased to exist from that point.

The game was made up as part of a doubleheader on September 2. The Cubs went on a 19-8 run that month and won the NL Central title. St. Louis missed the playoffs, finishing in third place, three games back.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 6


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 14, 2022

photo: Jordan Walker (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-2 on Friday with Palm Beach dropping two. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield 3B Jordan Walker, doubled, homered and drove in four. Other standouts include Zack Thompson, Ivan Herrera, Todd Lott and Pedro Pages.



Results from games played Friday, May 13.

Memphis 4 at Norfolk 2

For the third straight game. the Memphis Redbirds were winners over the Tides at Harbor Park. Zack Thompson made the start for Memphis. The left hander pitched five innings and gave up one run on four hits, fanned eight and walked two to earn his second win of the season.

Zack Thompson

Tommy Parsons relieved and threw two scoreless innings. Kodi Whitley tossed a scoreless eighth. Junior Fernandez walked in one run in the ninth but still received his first save of 2022.

The Redbirds took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run triple by Ivan Herrera. The Tides cut the lead to 2-1 in the second.

Iván Herrera

Memphis widened their lead to 4-1 on a two-run double by Evan Mendoza. Norfolk added its second and final run in the ninth.

The Redbirds made good use of only four hits. In addition to the two extra base hits, two were singles. Herrera and Mendoza each had two RBI.

On the base paths, Ben DeLuzio stole three bases. Cory Spangenberg swiped his fifth base of the season.

Memphis is 18-16 and sits in fifth place in the International League West, 4.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  at Norfolk, Connor Thomas LHP (1-2, 4.68) vs. Blaine Knight RHP (0-1, 8.24), 5:35 CT

Springfield 12, Amarillo 8

The Springfield Cardinals beat the Amarillo Sod Poodles in a 12-8 slugfest at Hammons Field on Friday night. Connor Lunn started for Springfield. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits and fanned seven.

Michael Brettell relieved and surrendered three runs before getting the final out of the sixth. Sean Kealey threw a scoreless seventh and earned his first win of the season. Cory Thompson and Johan Quezada combined to toss the final two scoreless innings.

The Cardinals scored the first run of the game in the second inning on an RBI double by Todd Lott. The Sod Poodles plated two in the third to take the lead. In the home half of the third Springfield tied it at 2-2 on a solo home run by Pedro Pages.

Amarillo regained the lead with one score in the top of the fourth. Springfield answered in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run blast by Jordan Walker.

Jordan Walker

In the sixth, the Sod Poodles scored two to knot the game at 5-5. The Cardinals posted two runs in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by Lott and a throwing error to retake the lead, 7-5.

The back and forth continued into the seventh as Amarillo added three runs to go up 8-7. The unrelenting Springfield team blew it open with a five-run bottom of the seventh. Pages thumped a solo long ball right center, his second of the night. Chandler Redmond and Julio Rodriguez each drew walks. Matt Koperniak pinch ran for Redmond. Roberto Baldoquin singled and Koperniak scored on a wild pitch. Malcom Nunez doubled to plate Rodriguez and Baldoquin. Nunez later scored on a sac fly by Walker.

Pedro Pages

Walker was 2-for-4, with a double and home run, and four RBI. Pages was 2-for-5 with two solo home runs. Baldoquin was 2-for-4 and Lott was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Nunez plated two.

In the field, Pages and Walker each made a throwing error.

Springfield is 13-18 on the season and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 5.5 games back of first place Tulsa.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Amarillo, Dalton Roach RHP (2-1, 4.96) vs. Slade Cecconi RHP (1-1, 6.66) 6:05 CT.

Peoria 5, Cedar Rapids 4

The Peoria Chiefs edged the Kernels by the score of 5-4 in Friday night game at Dozer Park, ending their nine-game losing streak. Starter Michael McGreevy pitched five innings, gave up three runs on six hits and fanned seven to earn his second win of the season.

Michael YaSenka surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Ryan Loutos threw the final two scoreless innings to collect his fourth save.

Cedar Rapids posted the first run in the first inning, then added two more in the second. Peoria answered with four runs in the third inning. Zade Richardson was hit by a pitch. Masyn Winn doubled. Matt Chamberlain followed with a double to plate Richardson and Winn. Chamberlain advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a second throwing error on a ball off the bat of L.J. Jones. Jones later came home on a fielding error.

The Chiefs added a fifth run in the fourth on an RBI single by Richardson. The Kernels made it 5-4 in the seventh, ending the scoring for the evening.

Peoria accumulated its five runs on six hits. No Chief had more than one hit. Chamberlain doubled, walked and plated two.

Matt Chamberlain

On the base paths, Tommy Jew stole his ninth base of the season. Noah Mendlinger swiped his fourth.

Peoria has a record of 13-18 and stands in fourth place in the Midwest League West, nine games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  Gordon Graceffo RHP (2-1, 1.07) vs. Sawyer Gipson-Long RHP (1-1, 2.01) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 0 at Fort Myers 3 (seven innings, Game 1)

The Palm Beach Cardinals were blanked by the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in the first game of a twin bill on Friday at Hammond Stadium. This was the makeup for Thursday’s rainout. Carlos Guarate took the mound for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched four innings and gave up two runs on five hits, struck out one and walked two. Guarate took the loss, his third of the season.

Reliever Bryan Pope surrendered one run in the final two innings.

Fort Myers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then added a third run in the fifth. The Beach Birds offense was held to five hits, a triple by Ramon Mendoza and four singles. The Cardinals were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, struck out eight times and drew two walks. Jeremy Rivas was the only Palm Beach hitter with multiple hits, as the shortstop and cleanup hitter went 2-for-3.

Jeremy Rivas

On the base paths, Rivas stole two bases. Brandon Hernandez stole his first base of the season. In the field, Hernandez made a fielding error. Pope picked a runner off first base, and Luis Rodriguez had a passed ball.

Palm Beach 2 at Fort Myers 3 (seven innings, Game 2)

Palm Beach was topped by Fort Myers in the second game of the twin bill at Hammond Stadium on Friday. Hayes Heinecke started for the Cardinals. The left hander pitched two innings and gave up three runs on four hits, struck out two and walked two. Heinecke suffered his second loss of the season.

Jose Moreno

Jose Moreno threw three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one baserunner while striking out seven. Gianluca Dalatri tossed a scoreless sixth.

The Mighty Mussels took an early lead with one run in the first and two in the second. The score remained 3-0 until the sixth when the Cardinals scored two. Aaron McKeithan singled to begin the inning but was eliminated on a force out by Ramon Mendoza. Tyler Reichenborn singled and Osvaldo Tovelin singled to plate Mendoza. Reichenborn came home on a fielding error. The Beach Birds were unable to score in the final inning.

The listless Palm Beach offense managed only three hits, all singles, drew just one walk and fanned 10 times collectively. On the field, Wade Stauss had a passed ball.

Palm Beach is 11-19 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 9.5 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Saturday’s game:  Chris Gerard LHP (1-1, 3.07) vs. Steve Hajjar LHP (0-1, 3.77) 3:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 6


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 12, 2022

photo: Conner Capel (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 1-3 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, outfielder Conner Capel, was 3-for-5 with two RBI in Memphis’ road win. Other Redbirds standouts: Ben DeLuzio, Alec Burleson, Luken Baker and Cory Spangenberg.

Results from games played Wednesday, May 11.



Memphis 9 at Norfolk 7

The Memphis Redbirds snapped their five-game losing streak by defeating the Tides, 9-7, at Harbor Park on Wednesday. Johan Oviedo got the start for Memphis. The right hander pitched four innings and gave up four runs on three hits, struck out five and walked three.

James Naile threw scoreless innings of relief to earn his second win of the season. Kyle Ryan surrendered two runs in 1 2/3 innings. Junior Fernandez allowed one run while securing the final four outs.

Norfolk got on the board first with one run in the first. The Cardinals took the lead in the third with three runs. Leading off, Cory Spangenberg singled and Ben DeLuzio doubled. Alec Burleson doubled to plate both runners. Burleson scored on a single by Luken Baker.

The Tides made it 3-2 in the home third. Memphis answered with three more runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run triple by Spangenberg and a wild pitch.

Norfolk responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 6-4. In the fifth, Conner Capel plated two runs on a single to right field. The Redbirds added a ninth run in the seventh on a solo home run by Baker.

The Tides added one run in the bottom of the seventh and two more in the eighth to cut the lead to 9-7 until the Memphis bullpen held on to secure the win.

Conner Capel

Capel went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Ivan Herrera reached base four times on a single and three walks and scored once. DeLuzio, Burleson, Baker, and Spangenberg each had two hits. Burleson, Baker and Spangenberg also drove in two each.

On the base paths, Capel was picked off and caught stealing for the first time this season. In the field, Capel made his second error of the season, a fielding miscue. Ali Sanchez had a passed ball.

Memphis has a record of 16-16 and is in sixth place in the International League West, 5.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Thursday’s game:  at Norfolk, Matthew Liberatore LHP (3-3, 4.24) vs. Grayson Rodriguez RHP (2-1, 3.33) 11:05 am CT.

Springfield 4, Amarillo 9

The Springfield Cardinals were defeated by the Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hammons Field on Wednesday as all four S-Cards hurlers yielded runs. Domingo Robles took the mound for Springfield. The left hander pitched five innings and gave up four runs on four hits, struck out three and walked two.

Tyler Pike surrendered three runs in the sixth. The left hander took the loss and was tagged with a blown save. Michael Brettell allowed one run in two innings pitched. Grant Black relinquished one run in the ninth.

Springfield scored in the first inning on a solo home run by Jordan Walker. Amarillo tied it at 1-1 in the second.

The Cardinals made it 4-1 in the third. Edmundo Sosa and Matt Koperniak singled. Walker drew a walk. Sosa was thrown out at home on a force out by Pedro Pages. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch scored Koperniak and Walker. Malcolm Nunez followed with a single that plated Pages.

Springfield lost the lead in the sixth when Amarillo put up six runs. The Sod Poodles expanded the lead with single runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

Koperniak went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Walker was 2-for-3 with a double and home run, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.

Jordan Walker

On the base paths, Nick Dunn was caught stealing for the first time in the season. In the field, Robles committed a missed catch error and Julio Rodriguez made a throwing mistake. Pike picked a runner off first base.

Springfield is 12-17 and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 5.5 games back of first place Tulsa.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Amarillo, RHP Edgar Escobar (2-1, 6.23) vs. Brandon Pfaadt RHP (1-2, 4.38) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 1, Cedar Rapids 7

The Peoria Chiefs’ losing streak reached eight games as they were held to one run on Wednesday. The Cedar Rapids Kernels blew past Peoria by a 7-1 score at Dozer Park.

Austin Love started for Peoria and pitched 4 1/3 innings. The righty gave up three runs on four hits, fanned nine and walked three and took the loss, his fourth of the season.

Nathanael Heredia

Nathanael Heredia threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Levi Prater surrendered four runs, three earned, in the eighth. Nick Trogrlic-Iverson tossed a scoreless ninth.

Cedar Rapids scored the first of their seven runs in the first. Peoria posted their only run in the second. Matt Chamberlain doubled, and Tommy Jew reached on a fielding error that scored Chamberlain.

The Kernels broke the 1-1 tie with two runs in the fifth, then expanded the lead with four more in the eighth.

Chamberlain went 2-for-4 as the only Chief with multiple hits. The offense scored one run on six hits, struck out six times and drew no walks.

Matt Chamberlain

On the base paths, Jew stole his eighth base of the season. On the field, Noah Mendlinger made a throwing error and Masyn Winn had a fielding miscue.

Peoria is 12-17 on the season and stands in fourth place in the Midwest League West, nine games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Cedar Rapids, RHP Logan Gragg (1-2, 4.91) vs. Aaron Rozek LHP (3-1, 5.82) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 0 at Fort Myers 3

On Wednesday at Hammond Stadium, the Palm Beach Cardinals were blanked by the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels by a 3-0 score for the second consecutive game. Zane Mills started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up three runs on eight hits and walked one. Mills took the loss, his second of the season.

Alex Cornwell relieved and threw two scoreless innings. Gustavo Rodriguez tossed a scoreless ninth.

Alex Cornwell

Fort Myers took a 2-0 lead in the third and increased the lead to 3-0 in the fourth. The Palm Beach offense was held to only three hits, singles by Ryan Holgate, Tyler Reichenborn, and Brady Whalen. The offense struck out 14 times and drew three walks. Beach Birds hitters were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

On the base paths, Holgate stole his second base of the season. In the field, Tre Fletcher had an outfield assist at third base. Cornwell picked a runner off first base.

Palm Beach has a record of 11-18 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, eight games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  at Fort Myers, Carlos Guarate RHP (0-2, 5.56) vs. Pierson Ohl RHP (1-1, 5.82) 6:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Peoria Chiefs Notebook – 2022 Week 5


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 11, 2022

photo: Chandler Redmond (Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-3 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Springfield DH Chandler Redmond, drove in five. Other standouts for the Double-A Cards were Jordan Walker, Moises Gomez, Pedro Pages, Chase Pinder, Malcom Nunez and rehabber Edmundo Sosa.

Results from games played Tuesday, May 10.



Memphis 1 at Norfolk 6

The Memphis Redbirds fell to the Tides in a 6-1 contest on Tuesday night at Norfolk’s Harbor Park. Aaron Brooks took the mound for Memphis. The right hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out one and walked three. Brooks took the loss, his first of the season at Triple-A.

Tommy Parsons surrendered one run in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Blake Parker threw a scoreless seventh. Zach McAllister allowed three runs in the eighth as the home club pulled away.

The Redbirds scored first. In the top of the second inning, Alec Burleson singled and Ali Sanchez walked. Burleson advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a single by Cory Spangenberg.

Cory Spangenberg

Norfolk scored one run in the second, fourth and sixth, and three runs in the eighth. Memphis failed to score after the second inning. Memphis plated its one run on four hits, with no Redbird having multiples. Scott Hurst stole his second base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 15-16 and is in eighth place in the International League West, 6.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Norfolk, RHP Johan Oviedo (2-2, 6.59) vs. Zac Lowther LHP (0-3, 9.64) 5:35 CT

Springfield 11, Amarillo 10

The Springfield Cardinals topped the Amarillo Sod Poodles in a one run slugfest on Tuesday at Hammons Field. It wasn’t easy as the home club almost squandered an 11-3 lead.

Kyle Leahy made the start for Springfield. The right hander pitched seven innings and gave up three runs, one earned, on five hits, struck out six and walked one. Leahy suffered his fourth loss of the season.

Kyle Leahy

Sean Kealey surrendered two runs, one earned, in the eighth. Cory Thompson started the ninth and relinquished five runs. He was replaced with one out in the inning by Johan Quezada, who got the final two outs for his first save of 2022.

Amarillo took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Springfield quickly responded with five runs in the home half. Edmundo Sosa, on a rehab assignment, singled to begin the inning. A single by Matt Koperniak, followed by a Jordan Walker double, scored Sosa. Moises Gomez plated Koperniak on a single. Pedro Pages drew a walk. Chandler Redmond reached on a fielding error and Walker came home to score. Chase Pinder singled to score Gomez, and Malcom Nunez’ single plated Pages. The Cardinals led 5-2.

The Sod Poodles posted their third score in the second. In the fourth, the Cardinals added two more runs to their tally to make it 7-3. Walker singled and Gomez walked. Pages drove in Walker on a single. Gomez scored on a sac fly by Redmond.

Springfield increased its lead to 11-3 in the sixth on a three-run home run by Redmond, and a solo shot by Nunez. Amarillo added two runs in eighth and five runs in the ninth to close Springfield’s lead to one, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Cardinals out of the win column.

Walker went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sosa was 2-for-4. Gomez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Pages was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Chase Pinder drove in one and was 2-for-5. Nunez had two RBI and was 2-for-2. Redmond plated five.

Chandler Redmond

On the base paths, Walker was caught stealing for the third time this season. In the field, Walker made his ninth error, a fielding miscue. Pages had a passed ball.

Springfield is 12-16 and is in last place in the Texas League North, 4.5 games back of first place Wichita.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Amarillo, LHP Domingo Robles (1-1, 3.42) vs. RHP Deyni Olivero (0-2, 8.64) 11:30 am.

Peoria 1, Cedar Rapids 10

The Peoria Chiefs were shellacked by the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a laugher at Dozer Park on Tuesday night. Dionys Rodriguez started for Peoria. The right hander pitched four innings and gave up four runs, two earned, on two hits, fanned six and walked one. Rodriguez took the loss, his second of the season.

John Beller surrendered two runs in three innings of relief. Enmanuel Solano threw a scoreless eighth. Colin Schmid allowed four runs, three earned, in the ninth.

The Kernels took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, then added on with two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the seventh. The Chiefs finally got on the board with their only run in the home seventh. Mack Chambers reached on an error and scored on a single by Thomas Francisco.

Thomas Francisco

The Chiefs scored one run on three hits. Francisco was 2-for-4 with and RBI. The other hit was a single L.J. Jones.

On the base paths, Matt Chamberlain was picked off and caught stealing. In the field, the Chiefs had a rough night. Masyn Winn made two fielding errors. Francisco Hernandez also had a fielding miscue. Chambers made a throwing error.

Peoria is 12-16 and is in fourth place in the Midwest League West, 8 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Cedar Rapids, RHP Austin Love (0-3, 9.00) vs. Sean Mooney RHP (0-0, 1.69) 11:05 am.

Palm Beach 0 at Fort Myers 3

The Palm Beach Cardinals were no-hit by the Mighty Mussels in a 3-0 defeat at Fort Myers’ Hammond Stadium on Wednesday night. Trent Baker started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up two runs, one earned, on one hit, fanned eight and walked three to take his fourth loss of the season.

Luis Jimenez threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Edwin Nunez tossed the final two innings and surrendered one run.

The Beach Birds’ offense struck out 14 times, including three each by Wade Stauss and Trejyn Fletcher, and drew three walks against a trio of Fort Myers hurlers. They were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. Tyler Reichenborn made a fielding error.

Palm Beach is 11-17 and sits in last place in the Florida State League, 7 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  at Fort Myers, Zane Mills RHP (1-1, 3.16) vs Travis Adams RHP (1-0, 1.80) 6:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 5


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – May 2-8

photo: Juan Yepez (D. Ross Cameron/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals went 4-3 in a week that included six road games. The pitching remains inconsistent, with the arrival of rookie Juan Yepez aiding the offense. Our history feature recounts the cross-state Cardinals-Royals rivalry.



Game recaps

Monday, May 2 – Cardinals 1, Royals 0

The St. Louis Cardinals met the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium in a makeup of a previously rained out game. The Cardinals prevailed in a low scoring contest.

Steven Matz took the mound for St. Louis. The left hander pitched six scoreless innings, allowed four hits and fanned four to earn his third win of the season. Kodi Whitley, Nick Wittgren, and Giovanny Gallegos each tossed a scoreless inning. Gallegos collected his fifth save.

Steven Matz

The only run of the game was scored by the Cardinals in the first inning on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt. The first baseman was 2-for-3 in the game. There were four hits on the St. Louis side. Dylan Carlson doubled, and Brendan Donovan singled.

Tuesday, May 3 – Cardinals 1 at Royals 7

The Cardinals left St. Louis and traveled to Kansas City to take on the Royals in a two-game series. The Redbirds were overmatched by a determined Royals offense.

Dakota Hudson started for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched six innings and gave up three runs on nine hits, struck out four and walked two. Hudson took the loss, his second of the season. T.J. McFarland surrendered two runs in the seventh and recorded only one out. Jake Woodford tossed the final 1 2/3 innings and allowed two more runs.

The Cardinals scored their sole run in the eighth. Tommy Edman singled and Paul Goldschmidt walked. Tyler O’Neill plated Edman on a single.

On the base paths, Edman was caught stealing for the first time.

Wednesday, May 4 – Cardinals 10 at Royals 0

The Cardinals routed the Royals in the conclusion of the two-game series in Kansas City. Starter Adam Wainwright pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed one hit, struck out two and walked one to earn his third win of the season.

Adam Wainwright

T.J. McFarland and Packy Naughton each tossed a scoreless inning of relief.

St. Louis took an early lead, scoring five runs in the first inning. Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt drew walks. Nolan Arenado followed with a three-run home run to left center field. Juan Yepez doubled for his first professional hit and scored on a triple by Tyler O’Neill. Harrison Bader plated O’Neill on a sac fly.

The score remained 5-0 until the seventh inning when three consecutive walks (to Paul DeJong, Edman and Goldschmidt) and a single by Nolan Arenado, resulted in two runs scored. In the eighth, Bader singled, Yadier Molina singled and Bader scored on a sac fly by DeJong.

The Cardinals posted two more runs in the ninth on an O’Neill long ball. Arenado went 2-for-4 with five RBI. O’Neill was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Bader and DeJong each drove in one.

Yepez became the first player in Cardinals history double twice in his first MLB game.

On the base paths, DeJong stole his third base of the season and Edman swiped his sixth. Arenado made a fielding error.

Thursday, May 5 – Cardinals 7 at Giants 1

The Cardinals headed to the West Coast for a four-game series at the 2021 NL West champion San Francisco Giants. The Cardinals beat the Giants by a six-run margin.

Miles Mikolas started for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up one run on seven hits, struck out three and walked three to earn his second win of the season.

Miles Mikolas

Andre Pallante relieved Mikolas and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Nick Wittgren and Kodi Whitley each tossed a scoreless inning.

The Cardinals got on the board in the third inning on a solo home run by Yadier Molina. St. Louis added to the lead in the fifth on a two-run single by Tommy Edman.

The Giants scored their only run in the home fifth. In the seventh, the Cardinals expanded their lead to 7-1. Dylan Carlson doubled and scored on a single by Edman. Paul Goldschmidt singled and Nolan Arenado drew a walk. Tyler O’Neill singled to plate Edman and Goldschmidt. Arenado scored on a single by Juan Yepez.

Tommy Edman

Edman went 3-for-5 with three RBI. O’Neill was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Yepez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Molina was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Carlson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

In the field, O’Neill had an outfield assist at second base.

Friday, May 6 – Cardinals 3 at Giants 2

The Cardinals topped the Giants in a ninth inning rally on Friday night at Oracle Park. In a tie game, the Cardinals sneaked ahead in the ninth.

Jordan Hicks made the start for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on three hits, fanned five and walked two. Genesis Cabrera threw two scoreless innings of relief. Ryan Helsley fanned four in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos earned his sixth save in a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals scored first in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Harrison Bader. The Giants responded in the home half of the fifth with two runs to tie it.

The game remained knotted up 2-2 until the ninth. Juan Yepez doubled and scored on Dylan Carlson’s single to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead. Gallegos held off the Giants in the ninth to grant the Cardinals their second win of the series.

In the field, Cabrera picked a runner off first base.

Saturday, May 7 – Cardinals 7 at Giants 13

The Cardinals were shellacked by the Giants in a slugfest on Saturday night in San Francisco. Starter Steven Matz could not hold back the San Francisco offense. The left hander pitched only two innings and gave up eight runs on five hits, struck out three and walked three. Matz took the loss, his second of the season.

Jake Woodford surrendered one unearned run in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Packy Naughton secured the last two outs of the sixth. Nick Wittgren allowed a run in the seventh. Kodi Whitley started the eighth and could not record an out after walking four Giants and giving up a run. T.J. McFarland replaced Whitley and escaped further damage.

The Cardinals briefly led the game in the first inning 1-0. Tommy Edman walked and stole second. Nolan Arenado plated Edman on a single.

The Giants immediately took over the game by scoring four runs in the home half of the first. The Cardinals made it closer in the second. Juan Yepez singled to lead off. Harrison Bader singled and Yadier Molina singled to score Yepez. Bader scored on a single by Paul DeJong. The Giants lead was cut to 4-3.

The Giants persisted and scored four more runs in the bottom of the second to make it 8-3. The Cardinals added one run in the fourth. Bader walked, stole second base, and scored on a DeJong single.

The Giants matched St. Louis with one run in the bottom of the fourth. St. Louis once again got close in the seventh on a three-run home run by Dylan Carlson. The Giants lead was 9-7.

San Francisco made it 10-7 in the bottom of the seventh, then blew up the score to 13-7 in the eighth. The Cardinals were unable to catch up.

Bader went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Goldschmidt was 2-for-5 and Arenado was 2-for-5 with an RBI. DeJong was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Carlson drove in three.

On the base paths, Bader and Edman each stole their seventh base of the season. In the field, the Cardinals had a poor showing up the middle as Edman made a throwing error, DeJong had a fielding miscue, and Molina dropped a foul ball.

Sunday, May 8 – Cardinals 3 at Giants 4

The Cardinals were edged by the Giants in the final game of the series on Sunday at Oracle Park. Dakota Hudson took the mound for St. Louis. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on five hits, and walked four.

T.J. McFarland secured the final out of the fifth inning. Genesis Cabrera surrendered one run in the sixth. Andre Pallante and Giovanny Gallegos each tossed a scoreless inning.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-run home run by Juan Yepez, the rookie’s first career long ball. San Francisco quickly took the lead away with three runs in the home second.

Juan Yepez

In the sixth, St. Louis tied it 3-3. Yepez walked and Dylan Carlson smacked a ground rule double. Harrison Bader plated Yepez on a ground out to short.

Once again the Giants responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring one to take a 4-3 lead. The two teams battled but in the end the Cardinals were unable to push another run across the plate.

Yepez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Carlson and Paul Goldschmidt were both 2-for-4. Harrison Bader drove in one.

In the field, Paul DeJong committed his fourth error, a throwing miscue.

Arenado NL Player of the Month

Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado was named the National League Player of the Month for April.

Nolan Arenado

The 31-year-old batted .375 with 12 extra-base hits including five home runs and 17 RBI. His OPS of 1.125 led the NL and he ranked third in batting average, tied for second in RBI and tied for fourth in home runs.

Arenado is the second straight Cardinal to be NL Player of the Month as Tyler O’Neill received the honors for September 2021.

O’Neill arbitration hearing held

Speaking of O’Neill, the left fielder and the Cardinals held their salary arbitration hearing on Friday with a three-person panel. O’Neill asked for $4.15 million. The team’s offer was $3.4 million. The decision on which will be chosen will be announced in a few weeks.

Tyler O’Neill

Coming off a strong 2021, the 27-year-old is off to a slow start in 2022, with a slash line of .206/.277/.330/.607. O’Neill does have 19 RBI in 26 games, second-most on the team.

The other six Cardinals who are eligible for arbitration previously settled. Agreeing to one-year deals were pitchers Jack Flaherty, Giovanny Gallegos, Jordan Hicks, Dakota Hudson and Alex Reyes. Outfielder Harrison Bader came to terms with the club on a two-year extension covering 2022 and 2023.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 19 10 0.655
St. Louis 16 12 0.571 2.5
Pittsburgh 11 16 0.407 7
Chicago 9 18 0.333 9
Cincinnati 5 23 0.179 13.5

The Big Picture

With six road games, the Cardinals ended the week with a winning record of 4-3. They took 2 of 3 from the Royals and split 2-2 with the Giants.

St. Louis remains in second place in the NL Central, 2.5 games back of the Brewers. Both teams lost their last two games, so the Cardinals failed to make any gains when they had the opportunity.

The offense has been able to score runs for the most part, but the pitching needs to give up less. The run differential for the week was +5. The team can do better.

Dylan Carlson

The top offensive performers for the week by OPS are Juan Yepez (1.289 on nine hits in his first five games), Dylan Carlson (1.155 in seven games), Paul Goldschmidt (.994 in seven games), and Tyler O’Neill (.808 in six games). Yadier Molina has an OPS of .846 in three games. Former OPS leaders Tommy Edman (.732) and Nolan Arenado (.707), have fallen off for the week.

Andrew Knizner (.133 in four games), Paul DeJong (.216 in seven games), and Corey Dickerson (.222 in five games) are scuffling. In fact the designated hitter position has been a disappointment so far for the season. Albert Pujols (.220 in 2022) has performed only slightly better than Dickerson. Yepez filled the DH position in three of his five games and if he hit left-handed, would be an excellent candidate for the job on a permanent basis. Dickerson has shown almost nothing so far this season (.430 OPS). DeJong’s OPS remains a disappointing .417 and Sosa is on the IL.

Miles Mikolas continues to be the bright spot in the rotation. Adam Wainwright, whose recent performances had been underwhelming, had an excellent start against the Royals on Wednesday. In contrast, Dakota Hudson, who started the season well, struggled in his last two starts, especially Sunday’s start in San Francisco. Steven Matz has shown flashes but has been mostly disappointing. Jordan Hicks has improved to a degree as his pitch counts increase.

Ryan Helsley

The really bright spot in the bullpen is Ryan Helsley, who had two spectacular outings recently and has yet to allow a run in 2022. The right-hander threw triple digit gas and mowed down hitters. Giovanny Gallegos and rookie Andre Pallante have also been good. The rest of the bullpen needs some work, most especially Kodi Whitley, who had a disastrous appearance against the Giants.

The Cardinals have Monday off after 20 straight games. It will be a much needed rest for the pitchers. The Orioles come to St. Louis for a three-game series. Baltimore has been a cellar dweller for the past several seasons, though they are surprisingly playing better than the Red Sox, who are in last place in the AL East. Historically, the Cardinals haven’t performed well in interleague play.

At the end of the week the Cardinals play the Giants again at Busch Stadium. Winning both series or even sweeping one of the series would be a big boost, especially because the Brewers continue to have a fairly easy schedule. The Cardinals need to keep the Brewers from getting a large lead in the Division as they did in 2021.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 5/2 The Cardinals optioned LHP Packy Naughton to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/2 The Cardinals designated RHP Aaron Brooks for assignment.
  • 5/3 The Cardinals recalled 1B Juan Yepez from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/3 The Cardinals recalled LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/3 The Cardinals placed LHP Steven Matz on the bereavement list.
  • 5/3 The Cardinals placed INF Edmundo Sosa on the Covid-IL
  • 5/3 The Cardinals sent RHP Drew VerHagen on rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/5 The Cardinals sent RHP Aaron Brooks outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 5/6 The Cardinals placed RHP Adam Wainwright on the Covid-IL
  • 5/6 The Cardinals activated LHP Steven Matz from the bereavement list.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) had imaging done on his shoulder which revealed inflammation as well as a small tear called a SLAP tear (superior labrum and posterior). Flaherty told the media the tear has been there for several years and is unrelated to the inflammation. Flaherty received a PRP injection in the shoulder. The right hander was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season. Flaherty has been throwing at increasing distances on flat ground. Last week, John Mozeliak told Bally Sports Midwest that Flaherty is about a week away from his first bullpen session and that the club is optimistic about his recovery.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) has been shut down from throwing for four weeks and has received a stem cell injection in his shoulder. Reyes was placed on the 60-day injured list and will be unavailable until June. John Mozeliak said last week that Reyes is about two weeks behind Flaherty with more news expected mid-May.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen remains on the 10-day injured list due to a right hip impingement. He received an injection in the hip. The right hander threw 1 2/3 innings in a rehab start in Memphis on Tuesday, May 3. VerHagen then tested positive for COVID and was unable to make another start during the week. It was announced during the game on Sunday that when the pitcher gets a negative test he will throw a bullpen and then be sent on another rehab assignment, likely in Springfield since Memphis will be on the road.
  • INF Edmundo Sosa was placed on the COVID IL on May 3. Sosa must be symptom free and test negative twice before he can return to the team.
  • RHP Adam Wainwright was placed on the COVID IL on May 6. Wainwright tested positive for COVID but is symptom free. He must test negative twice before returning to the team. As of Sunday Wainwright has not tested negative twice but will be tested again on Monday and if he tests negative can make his Tuesday scheduled start.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals return home for a six-game homestand to begin on Tuesday. Three games against the Orioles open the homestand. A three-game set with the Giants concludes the week.

St. Louis leaves for a seven-game road trip the following week, starting in New York as they take on the Mets in four games. The Cardinals then head to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates in a weekend series.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

The Cardinals played the Kansas City Royals this week in the final three games of a four game season series. The teams met the previous week in which one of the two games was rained out. The makeup of that game was played on Monday in St. Louis with two more games following in Kansas City.

The two teams, one in the NL and one in the AL, met in the 1985 World Series, but did not face each other in the regular season until interleague games were introduced starting with in 1997. The Royals as came into existence in 1969 as an expansion franchise after the Athletics left Kansas City in 1968 and moved to Oakland.

This week’s Blast takes a look at the history between the two teams, their records and other interesting details of note since the Cards and Royals first met in the 1985 World Series.

The two teams have met in every regular season since 1997 for a total of 127 times. Unlike with other AL teams the Cardinals play only every three years, the Cardinals play their Missouri AL rivals every year. This is the same for every NL team who has an AL team in their state or locality, like the Chicago Cubs against the White Sox and the Dodgers against the Angels, etc.

The Cardinals’ overall record against the Royals in the regular season is 76-51 for a win percentage of 59.8%. St. Louis’ record in home games is 30-27 and their record in Kansas City is 46-24. The Cardinals clearly play the Royals better in Kansas City than at home.

The Cardinals have met the Royals in the postseason only once, in the 1985 World Series, during which they lost to Kansas City in seven games. Most Cardinals fans are aware of the controversy that surrounded that series.

Beginning with interleague play in 1997, the Cardinals have shut out the Royals 14 times. The first regular season shutout was on July 2, 1998, a 3-0 win for the Cardinals. The last shutout was the 1-0 win over the Royals on Monday. The Cardinals have been shut out by the Royals three times in the regular season. All occurred during the five-year span from 2011-15. The first was May 20, 2011 (3-0), then June 2, 2014 (6-0) and last on May 22, 2015 (5-0).

The biggest run differential in a game was the 10-0 St. Louis win on Wednesday. The most runs the Cardinals have scored against the Royals was 13, which they accomplished three times – two were wins and one was a loss. In 2003, the Cardinals beat the Royals on back to back days, June 28 and 29, 13-9 and 13-6. On June 9, 1999, the Cardinals lost to the Royals 17-13. The Royals beat the Cardinals 11-10 the previous day on June 8. The Royals scored 17 runs on the Cardinals a second time, on June 14, 2007, in a 17-8 loss for the Cardinals.

The longest game between the two teams was 15 innings on June 17, 2012, a 5-3 loss for the Cardinals in Busch Stadium. The two teams played nine other extra-inning games. The shortest between the two teams was a six-inning game that was called for rain on May 23, 2015. The Royals won 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium.

The World Series matchup between the Cardinals and the Royals ended with a seven-game loss for St. Louis. The Cardinals won three of the seven games. Two of the games were shutouts, a 3-0 win for the Cardinals in Game 4 and an 11-0 win for the Royals in Game 7. St. Louis won the other two games, 3-1 (Game 1) and 4-2 (Game 2).

Starting in 2023, every team in the NL will play every team in the AL. MLB is abandoning the rotating formula of every three years. All 30 teams will play at least one three-games series against the other 29 teams. Intradivision games will be reduced from 19 to 14. The Cardinals and Royals typically play four games, two in St. Louis and two in Kansas City. This may change.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 5


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 7, 2022

photo: Kramer Robertson (Memphis Redbirds)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-4 on Friday with Springfield winning and Memphis dropping two. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, 3B Kramer Robertson, went 3-for-4 with 5 RBI in the Redbirds’ Game 2 loss and 4-for-7 for the night. Other standouts include Luken Baker, Tyler Pike and Masyn Winn.

Results from games played Friday, May 6.



Memphis 3, Jacksonville 7 (seven innings, Game 1)

The Memphis Redbirds fell to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the first game of a twin bill on Friday at AutoZone Park. Matthew Liberatore took the mound for Memphis. The left hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up six runs on nine hits, fanned seven and walked two. Libertore suffered his third loss of the season.

In relief, Tommy Parsons surrendered one run in the final 1 1/3 innings.

Jacksonville got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first inning. Memphis responded with one run in the home half. Lars Nootbaar walked and stole second base. Luken Baker singled to score Nootbaar.

The Jumbo Shrimp added to their lead with one run in the second, then widened their tally with three runs in the third. In the fourth, the Redbirds scored two on a two-run home run from Baker.

Jacksonville cemented their lead with one score in the seventh. Memphis failed to score after the fourth inning. Baker went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Luken Baker

On the base paths, Nootbaar stole his second base of the season. In the field, Baker made a fielding error. Nootbaar had an outfield assist at second base.

Memphis 6, Jacksonville 10 (nine innings, Game 2)

The Redbirds were swept in the twin bill with Jacksonville in extra innings at AutoZone Park on Friday night. Johan Oviedo took the mound in game two. The right hander pitched six innings and gave up four runs seven hits, struck out three and walked three.

Brandon Waddell relieved and surrendered one run in the seventh. Junior Fernandez struggled, allowing five runs, four earned in 1 1/3 innings. Blake Parker got the final two outs in the ninth. Fernandez took the loss.

The Jumbo Shrimp jumped ahead 3-0 in the second and third innings. Memphis answered back with two runs in the home half of the third on a two-run double by Kramer Robertson.

The 3-2 lead lasted until Jacksonville added one run each in the sixth and seventh. The Redbirds tied it in the bottom half of the seventh on a three-run home run by Robertson.

Kramer Robertson

The game was originally scheduled for seven innings but went into extras. Neither team scored in the eighth. In the ninth, Jacksonvillle put up a crooked number, scoring five runs to take a 10-5 lead.

Memphis rallied in the bottom of the ninth but were only able to push one run across, on an RBI triple by Conner Capel.

Robertson went 3-for-4 with five RBI. No other Redbird had multiple hits.

Memphis is 15-13 on the season and is in fourth place in the International League West, 3.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, LHP Zack Thompson (1-0, 4.03) vs. Braxton Garrett LHP (2-1, 3.86) 6:35 CT.

Springfield 2, NW Arkansas 1

The Springfield Cardinals topped the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in a 2-1 game on Friday night at Hammons Field. In his first career start, right-hander Edgar Escobar pitched four innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out four and walked one.

Tyler Pike

Tyler Pike threw four scoreless innings in relief to earn his first win of the season. Freddy Pacheco tossed a scoreless ninth and collected his fifth save.

NW Arkansas took an initial 1-0 in the first inning. Springfield tied it up in the second when Nick Dunn doubled and scored on a single by Matt Koperniak. The game remained tied until the fifth when the Cardinals plated a second run on a single by Moises Gomez.

Dunn went 2-for-4. Koperniak and Gomez each drove in a run.

On the base paths, Jordan Walker was caught stealing for the second time.

Springfield has a record of 11-14 and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 5 games back of first place Wichita.

Saturday’s game:  vs. NW Arkansas, Connor Lunn RHP (2-2, 3.90) vs. Drew Parrish LHP (2-1, 3.38) 6:05 CT.

Peoria 2 at South Bend 4

The Peoria Chiefs lost to the Cubs on Wednesday night in South Bend by the score of 4-2. Austin Love started for Peoria. The right hander pitched five innings, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out four and walked two. Love took the loss, his third of the season.

Wilfredo Pereira surrendered two runs in two relief innings pitched. Leonardo Taveras tossed a scoreless eighth.

South Bend got off to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Chiefs scored one run in the fourth on an RBI single by Francisco Hernandez.

Masyn Winn

The Cubs expanded their lead to 4-1 in the sixth. In the eighth, Peoria added their second and final run. Masyn Winn tripled and scored on a wild pitch.

The Chiefs scored two runs on eight hits. Winn was 2-for-5 including the triple and a run scored, with the leadoff man raising his batting average to .389. Tommy Jew was 2-for-4.

Hernandez and Mack Chambers each stole a base.

Peoria is 12-12 on the season and is in third place in the Midwest League West, 4.5 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s games:  doubleheader at South Bend, Game 1: RHP Logan Gragg (1-1, 5.29) vs. Max Bain RHP (1-0, 3.60) 1:30 CT. Game 2: RHP Michael McGreevy (1-0, 1.27) vs. LHP Jordan Wicks.

Palm Beach 3, St. Lucie 8

The Palm Beach Cardinals were defeated by the St. Lucie Mets in an 8-3 contest at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday. Carlos Guarate started for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched four innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, struck five and walked two. Guarate took his second loss of the season.

Jose Moreno surrendered one unearned run in three innings of relief. Gustavo Rodriguez allowed one unearned run in the eighth. Gianluca Dalatri tossed a scoreless ninth.

St. Lucie took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, then increased their lead to 4-0 in the third. The Beach Birds score their first run in the home half of the third. Sander Mora doubled and Hansel Otamendi drew a walk. Tyler Reichenborn walked, and Mora scored on a wild pitch.

The Mets posted two more runs in the fourth to widen the deficit to 6-1. The Cardinals added their second run in the bottom of the fourth on a sac fly by Otamendi.

Palm Beach scored a third time in the fifth inning. Ramon Mendoza walked to begin the inning and later scored on a single by Osvaldo Tovalin.

Osvaldo Tovalin

St. Lucie widened their tally to 8-3 with run one scored in the seventh and one in the eighth. The Cardinals did not score after the fifth.

Riechenborn and Tovalin each had two hits. Tovalin and Otamendi drove in one each. In the field, Moreno made an error on a pickoff. Rodriguez made a throwing error.

Palm Beach is 9-16 on the season and sits in last place in the Florida State League East, 9 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Saturday’s game:  vs. St. Lucie, LH Chris Gerard (1-1, 4.22) vs. TBA 2:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 5


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 5, 2022

photo: Lars Nootbaar (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-3 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Memphis OF Lars Nootbaar, whose three-run home run cemented Memphis’ win over Jacksonville. Kramer Robertson, Conner Capel and Ben DeLuzio also contributed.

Results from games played Wednesday, May 4.



Memphis 7, Jacksonville 3

The Memphis Redbirds defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park. In his return to the rotation, Angel Rondon pitched three innings and gave up two runs on one hit, struck out six and walked five.

James Naile relieved and surrendered one run in three innings. Kyle Ryan threw scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. Junior Fernandez tossed a scoreless ninth.

Jacksonville took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Memphis made it 2-1 in the third on an RBI double by Kramer Robertson.

The Jumbo Shrimp increased their lead to 3-1 in the fifth. A big seventh inning put the Redbirds up 7-3. Alec Burleson led off the inning with a double. Ivan Herrera singled, Conner Capel singled, and Burleson scored. Evan Mendoza drew a walk, and Ben DeLuzio plated Herrera on a single. Capel then scored on a wild pitch. Lars Nootbaar followed with a three-run home run to right field.

Lars Nootbaar

Jacksonville failed to rally, and the Redbirds celebrated their 15th win of the season. Robertson, Herrera and DeLuzio each had two hits. Nootbaar drove in three.

On the base paths, DeLuzio stole his first base of the season.

Memphis is 15-11 on the season and stands in third place in the International League West, 2.5 games back of first place Columbus.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, LHP Matthew Liberatore (3-2, 3.18) vs. Daniel Castano LHP (0-0, 11.57) 6:45 CT.

Springfield 3, NW Arkansas 13

The Springfield Cardinals were walloped by the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in a 13-3 laugher at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. Kyle Leahy initially took the mound for Springfield. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits, struck out two and walked six. Leahy took the loss, his fourth of the season as his ERA grew to 9.53.

Sean Kealey relieved first and threw two scoreless innings. Johan Quezada pitched a scoreless eighth and returned to start the ninth. Quezada yielded five runs before he was replaced by Kevin Marnon with one out. Marnon allowed one more run before getting the final two outs.

NW Arkansas took command of the game with a five-run third inning. The Cardinals scratched out one run in the home half of the third to cut the lead to 5-1. Delvin Perez drew a walk and Matt Koperniak singled. Perez advanced to third on the hit. Perez then scored on a wild pitch.

The Naturals tacked on two more runs in the fifth. The score was 7-1 until the bottom of the eighth when Moises Gomez blasted his MiLB-leading 13th long ball of the season, a two-run shot.

Moisés Gómez

NW Arkansas poured it on in the ninth and ran the score up to 13-3. The Cardinals were unable to respond to the onslaught.

The Springfield offense had six hits, drew just two walks and scored three runs. Todd Lott was 2-for-4. All the hits were singles but the home run from Gomez.

In the field, Perez made a fielding error. Leahy picked a runner off second base.

Springfield has a record of 10-13 and stands in last place in the Texas League North, 4 games back of first place Tulsa and Wichita.

Thursday’s game:  vs. NW Arkansas, Domingo Robles LHP (1-1, 3.38) vs. Dante Biasi LHP (1-0, 4.50) 6:35 CT.

Peoria 3 at South Bend 6

The Peoria Chiefs were defeated by the Cubs in a 6-3 contest on Wednesday at South Bend’s Four Winds Field. Dionys Rodriguez made the start for Peoria. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up three runs on three hits, fanned seven and walked two.

Nathanael Heredia threw scoreless innings in relief. Nick Trogrlic-Iverson surrendered three runs in the eighth and took the loss, his first of the season.

Nathanael Heredia

The Chiefs scored two runs in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead. L.J. Jones doubled to start the inning and Mack Chambers drew a walk. Aaron Antonini singled to bring home Jones. Chambers scored on a sac fly by Thomas Francisco.

South Bend responded with one run in the second, then added two more in the third to make 3-2. Peoria tied it at 3-3 in the fourth on an RBI double by Masyn Winn.

The score remained knotted until the eighth, when the Cubs posted three runs to go up 6-3. Peoria was unable to respond and suffered their 11th loss of the season.

Antonini went 2-for-4 with an RBI. He was the only Chief with multiple hits. Francisco and Winn each drove in a run.

On the base paths, Mike Antico stole his Midwest League-leading 14th base of the season. Winn was picked off first base. In the field, Noah Mendlinger made a throwing error.

Peoria is 12-11 on the season and sits in third place in the Midwest League West, 3.5 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  at South Bend, Austin Love RHP (0-2, 10.59) vs. TBA 6:05 CT.

Palm Beach 2, St. Lucie 3

The Palm Beach Cardinals were edged by the St. Lucie Mets in a one run contest on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Trent Baker made the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on six hits, fanned eight and walked two. Baker suffered his third loss of the season.

Bryan Pope threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. Alex Cornwell tossed the final two scoreless innings.

St. Lucie took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then added a run in the third. The Cardinals answered in the home half of the third with one run to decrease the lead to 3-1. Sander Mora led off the inning with a single and Ramon Mendoza drew a walk. Tyler Reichenborn singled to plate Mora.

Tyler Reichenborn

The score remained 3-1 until the eighth inning. Osvaldo Tovalin tripled and scored on a ground out by Jeremy Rivas to make the score the 3-2 final. Reichenborn was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

In the field, Tovalin had an outfield assist at second base.

Palm Beach is 9-14 and is in last place in the Florida State League East, 7 games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  vs. St. Lucie, Zane Mills RHP (1-1, 2.96) vs. Luis Moreno RHP (1-0, 6.08) 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Peoria Chiefs Notebook – 2022 Week 4


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – May 4, 2022

photo: Pedro Pages (Springfield Cardinals Fanatic Photos)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-3 on Tuesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Players of the Day are Springfield CF Moises Gomez and C Pedro Pages, who combined for four hits, five RBI and four runs scored in the Cardinals win over NW Arkansas. Other standouts include Peoria starter Gordon Graceffo, with six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and Memphis’ Juan Yepez with three RBI.

Results from games played Tuesday, May 3.



Memphis 6, Jacksonville 8

The Memphis Redbirds fell to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in a Tuesday night contest at AutoZone Park. St. Louis’ Drew VerHagen pitched 1 2/3 innings in his first rehab start. The right hander gave up one run on one hit, struck out two and walked one.

Connor Thomas scuffled through 3 1/3 innings of relief. The regular starter surrendered six runs, four earned, on nine hits to take his first loss of the season. Zach McAllister tossed two scoreless innings. Blake Parker relinquished one run in the eighth and Brandon Waddell hurled a scoreless ninth.

Memphis scored the first run of the game in the first inning. Lars Nootbaar led off with a single and stole second base. Nolan Gorman plated Nootbaar on a single.

Jacksonville tied the game at 1-1 in the second, then added two runs in the third and two runs in the fourth to take a 5-1 lead. The Redbirds cut the lead by one in the home half of the fourth. Ali Sanchez walked, and Conner Capel doubled. Luken Baker drove in Sanchez on a ground out.

The Jumbo Shrimp widened their tally to 7-2 in the fifth. In the seventh, Memphis scored four to make it 7-6 on a solo home run by Baker and a three-run home run by Juan Yepez, who was called up to St. Louis after the game.

Juan Yepez

In the eighth, Jacksonville added their final run on a balk. Memphis was unable to rally.

The Redbirds offense scored six runs on six hits. No Memphis player had more than one hit. Yepez had three RBI and Baker plated two.

On the base paths, Nootbaar stole his first base. In the field, Nootbaar and Yepez each made a throwing error.

Memphis is 14-11 and is in fourth place in the International League West, three games back of first place Nashville.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Jacksonville, Angel Rondon RHP (1-0, 2.84) vs. Matthew Kent LHP (1-1, 4.35) 12:05 CT.

Springfield 12, NW Arkansas 5

The Springfield Cardinals defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in a 12-5 contest at Hammons Field on Tuesday night. Dalton Roach started for Springfield. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up two runs on five hits and fanned seven to earn his second win of the season.

Kevin Marnon relieved and surrendered three runs in 2/3 of an inning. Cory Thompson threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Michael Brettell tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals took an early lead with three runs in the first inning.  The inning began with back to back walks from Matt Koperniak and Jordan Walker. A double steal by Koperniak and Walker resulted in Koperniak scoring on a throwing error. Malcom Nunez doubled to plate Walker, then scored on a single by Chandler Redmond.

Springfield added to the 3-0 lead with two runs in the second on a two run double by Pedro Pages. The Naturals got on the board in the fourth with two runs scored. The Cardinals answered with one run in the home half of the fourth on a solo home run by Moises Gomez, his MiLB-leading 12th of the season.

Moisés Gómez

In the sixth, Springfield brought four more runs home. Walker was hit by a pitch and Gomez walked. Pages was hit by a pitch. Nunez walked and Walker scored. Redmond singled to plate Gomez.  Todd Lott drew a bases loaded walk to score Pages.  Nunez scored on a walk by Delvin Perez.

NW Arkansas rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh. The Cardinals responded with two runs in the bottom half of the seventh on a two run double by Pages.

Pedro Pages

Gomez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Pages was 2-for-3 with four RBI. Redmond was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Walker drew three walks and scored four times.

The Cards were active on the base paths as Koperniak stole his fifth base, Walker stole his ninth base and Gomez stole his second base of the season.

In the field, Walker made two throwing errors.

Springfield is 10-12 on the season and sits in last place in the Texas League North, 3.5 games back of first place Tulsa.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. NW Arkansas, Kyle Leahy RHP (0-3, 8.66) vs. TBA 6:35 CT.

Peoria 4 at South Bend 5 (10 innings)

The Peoria Chiefs were topped by the South Bend Cubs in an extra innings on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field. Gordon Graceffo started for Peoria. The right hander pitched six scoreless innings, allowed two hits, fanned eight and walked one while lowering his ERA to a league-best 0.85.

Gordon Graceffo

Levi Prater relieved and surrendered one run in the seventh. Colin Schmid threw 1 2/3 innings and allowed three runs.  Schmid was charged with the blown save. Enmanuel Solano relinquished one unearned run in the 10th and took the loss, his second of the season.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when the Chiefs took a 2-0 lead.  Mack Chambers led off with a single. Francisco Hernandez singled. Thomas Francisco was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Chambers scored on a wild pitch. Tommy Jew walked, and Hernandez scored.

Peoria made it 4-0 in the eighth. Hernandez doubled and Francisco followed with a double that plated Hernandez.  Masyn Winn singled to score Francisco.

South Bend finally got on the board with one run in the home half of the eighth.  In the ninth, the Cubs tied it up 4-4.

The game went into the 10th. The Chiefs failed to bring the runner on second home in the top of the 10th, but South Bend succeeded in doing so and walked the game off, 5-4.

Hernandez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. No other Chiefs player had multiple hits.

On the base paths, Mike Antico stole two bases, increasing his total to 13 on the season. Winn stole his 11th base. Jew was caught stealing.

In the field, Matt Chamberlain had an outfield assist at third base.

Peoria has a record of 12-10 and sits in third place in the Midwest League West, 3.5 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  at South Bend, RHP Dionys Rodriguez (0-1, 2.00) vs. RHP Kohl Franklin 10:05 am CT.

Palm Beach 1 at St. Lucie 3

The Beach Birds took the early lead but could not hold on as they lost to the Mets in a close contest in Port St. Lucie Tuesday evening. Starter Inohan Paniagua pitched six innings. The righty allowed nine hits, two earned runs and struck out five opposing hitters.

Inohan Paniagua

Osvaldo Tovalin doubled, scoring Ramon Mendoza in the bottom of the first inning. The Cards led 1-0 after one. Paniagua surrendered the lead in the next inning via a solo home run to tie the score.

Paniagua allowed baserunners in the next few innings but managed to escape unscathed each time. That was the case until the fifth inning when St. Lucie notched another solo homer against Palm Beach’s starter.

The Cardinals managed six hits on the evening but could not capitalize on them. The team left 10 runners on base in total.

St. Lucie homered again in the eighth inning, with their third solo shot sealing the loss for the Cardinals. Tyler Reichenborn led the way with two hits. Paniagua suffered the loss, his second of the season.

Wednesday’s game:  at St. Lucie, Trent Baker RHP (1-2, 3.15) vs. Mike Vasil RHP (0-1, 3.18) 5:30 CT.

Note: The above Palm Beach game recap was written by TCN’s local reporter, Kevin Garcia, who covered the game in person Tuesday night. Join The Cardinal Nation to catch Kevin’s in-depth reports on the Beach Birds each Tuesday morning all season long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 4


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – April 25-May 1

photo: Mike Maddux, Yadier Molina, Miles Mikolas (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals had a disappointing 3-4 week at home, falling out of first place. The offense continued its inconsistency as the starting pitching of Miles Mikolas and Dakota Hudson remain a bright spot. The April home run hitting exploits of the 2000 Cardinals are remembered in our history feature.



Game recaps

Monday, April 25 – Cardinals 2, Mets 5

The St. Louis Cardinals took on the New York Mets in the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Miles Mikolas took the mound for the Cardinals. The right hander pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed four hits, struck out five and walked one.

Genesis Cabrera threw a scoreless eighth. Giovanny Gallegos and T.J. McFarland combined to pitch the ninth. Gallegos surrendered four runs in the inning and McFarland relinquished one additional run. Gallegos took the loss and was charged with a blown save.

The game was a scoreless pitching duel between Mikolas and Max Scherzer until the eighth inning. Yadier Molina led off the home half of the inning with a single, and Harrison Bader followed with a single. Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk to load the bases. Tyler O’Neill singled and drove in Molina and Bader to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

The Mets rallied in the ninth. Gallegos gave up two singles and a double that put the Mets on the board. Then the right hander allowed a two-run single to give New York a 3-2 lead. Key plays in the inning were a throwing error by third baseman Nolan Arenado and Gallegos being late to cover first base. Gallegos was replaced by McFarland, who gave up a two-run home run on his first pitch to Brandon Nimmo.

The Cardinals were unable to rally in the bottom half of the ninth. The offense scored two runs on five hits. Goldschmidt was 2-for 3. O’Neill drove in both Cardinals runs.

Tuesday, April 26 – Cardinals 0, Mets 3

The Cardinals were blanked by the Mets in the second game of the three-game series on Tuesday. Jordan Hicks got the start for St. Louis. The right hander pitched two innings and gave up two runs on two hits, struck out one and walked two. Hicks’ outing was cut short by a bruise caused by a comebacker to his right wrist area.

Andre Pallante threw three scoreless innings of relief on three hits allowed and one punch out. Nick Wittgren and Packy Naughton combined for the next two scoreless innings. Kodi Whitley tossed a scoreless eighth. Aaron Brooks surrendered one run in the ninth. Hicks suffered his second loss of the season.

The Cardinals offense managed only three hits in the game, singles from Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Paul DeJong.

Tommy Edman stole two bases.

Wednesday April 27 – Cardinals 10, Mets 5

The Cardinals were able to salvage the final game of the series and avoid being swept at home. Starter Steven Matz pitched four innings and gave up four runs on six hits, fanned six and walked two.

Jake Woodford relieved and surrendered one run in two innings pitched to earn his first win. Genesis Cabrera threw two scoreless innings and Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals offense got on the board first on an RBI single by Corey Dickerson. The Mets answered by scoring four runs in the second to make it 4-1.

The Redbirds got two runs back in the third. Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt hit back-to-back singles. The runners advanced on a ground out by Tyler O’Neill. Nolan Arenado smacked a single to plate both.

The Cardinals took an 8-4 lead with a five-run fourth inning. Yadier Molina led off with a double and Edmundo Sosa was hit by a pitch. Tommy Edman doubled to score Molina. Nolan Arenado was intentionally walked, then Sosa scored on a wild pitch. Corey Dickerson singled to plate Edman. Dylan Carlson tripled, scoring Arenado and Dickerson.

Arenado made it 9-4 in the sixth with an RBI double. The Mets scored their final run in the seventh to make it 9-5. In the home half of the seventh, Goldschmidt drove in the Cardinals 10th run.

Tommy Edman

Edman went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Arenado was 3-for-3 with three RBI. Dickerson was 2-for-3 and drove in two. Carlson was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

On the base paths, O’Neill stole his third base of the season and Edman stole his fourth. In the field, O’Neill had an outfield assist at second base and Carlson threw a runner out at third.

The game was marred by an incident that resulted in the bases clearing. Nolan Arenado was brushed back by a high and inside pitch near his head. The pitch was likely intentional and in response to several Mets being hit by pitches in the series, including one to the helmet of Pete Alonso. Arenado took exception to the pitch and had words with and gestured at the pitcher. The benches cleared and in response to the incident Arenado was suspended. Genesis Cabrera, who had hit J.D. Davis in the foot in a prior inning, was also suspended. Each sat out one game. No Mets were suspended, though several players were fined.

Thursday, April 28 – Cardinals 8, Diamondbacks 3

The Cardinals beat the Diamondbacks in the opener of a four-game series at Busch Stadium. Dakota Hudson got the start for the Cardinals and pitched six scoreless innings, allowed one hit, struck out four and walked three to earn his second win of the season.

Dakota Hudson

Aaron Brooks relieved and surrendered three runs in 2 2/3 innings. Nick Wittgren got the final out of the ninth.

The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on sac flies by Tyler O’Neill and Corey Dickerson. St. Louis increased the lead to 5-0 with three runs in the second. Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt each plated a run on a single. O’Neill drove in his second run on a sac fly.

The score remained 5-0 until the sixth inning. Harrison Bader led off with a single and stole second base. Yadier Molina singled and he also stole second base. Edman singled to score Bader. Goldschmidt singled to plate Molina and Edman. The Cardinals led 8-0.

The Diamondbacks scored two runs in the eighth and one run in the ninth to bring the final score to 8-3 in favor of St. Louis.

Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt went 3-for-3 with three RBI. Edman was 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Arenado was 2-for-4. Bader was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Molina was 2-for-4. The offense had 15 hits, all singles.

Bader stole his fifth base of the season and Molina stole his first.

Friday, April 29 – Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 6

In the second game of the series with Arizona, the Cardinals fell to the Diamondbacks, 6-2. Adam Wainwright suffered his third loss of the season. The right hander pitched six innings, gave up three runs on four hits, struck out four and walked five.

T.J. McFarland and Andre Pallante combined to pitch the seventh. McFarland surrendered two runs and was replaced by Pallante with one out in the inning. The rookie got the final two outs with no further damage. Kodi Whitley allowed one run in the eighth. Nick Wittgren tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals took the lead in the first inning on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt. In the third, the Diamondbacks put up two runs. Arizona added a run in the sixth, and two more in the seventh to widen their edge to 5-1.

The Redbirds scored one more in the bottom of the seventh. Harrison Bader drew a walk and Yadier Molina singled. Bader went from first to third on the single. With Paul DeJong at the plate, Diamondbacks pitcher Luis Frias balked, and Bader scored.

Arizona added an eighth run in the eighth. St. Louis failed to rally in the final two innings.

The Cardinals offense put up two runs on five hits. Nolan Arenado doubled. Molina, Tommy Edman, and Albert Pujols all singled.

On the base paths, Edman stole his fifth base of the season.

Saturday, April 30 – Cardinals 0, Diamondbacks 2

The Cardinals fell to the Diamondbacks in the third game of the series on Saturday. Miles Mikolas made his second start of the week. The right hander pitched 7 1/3 innings, gave up two runs on four hits and fanned seven.

Genesis Cabrera relieved Mikolas and got the final two outs of the inning. Jake Woodford tossed a scoreless ninth.

The game was scoreless until the eighth inning when Mikolas gave up solo home runs to Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed to give Arizona a 2-0 lead. After the game, manager Oliver Marmol took responsibility for the loss, saying he should have gone to the bullpen for the eighth.

The Cardinals remained scoreless and managed only two hits for the game – singles from Yadier Molina and Harrison Bader.

Bader stole his NL-leading sixth base of the season. The defense made two errors in the field, throwing miscues by Brendan Donovan and Edmundo Sosa.

Sunday, May 1 – Cardinals 7, Diamondbacks 5

The Cardinals were able to pull out a win in the final game of the series on Sunday for a series split. Jordan Hicks made the start and pitched 3 1/3 innings. The right-hander gave up two runs on two hits, struck out four and walked two.

Andre Pallante relieved and surrendered one run in 1 2/3 innings. Nick Wittgren allowed one run in the sixth. Genesis Cabrera and Kodi Whitley combined to pitch the seventh. Cabrera relinquished one run in 2/3 innings. Whitley got the final out of the inning. Ryan Helsley hurled the final two scoreless innings and struck out four of the six batters he faced.

Ryan Helsley

The Diamondbacks scored first with one run in the first inning. The Cardinals briefly took a 2-1 lead in the third. Andrew Knizner singled but was eliminated on a force out by Paul DeJong. Tommy Edman drew a walk. Harrison Bader reached on a fielder’s choice error and DeJong scored. Edman scored on a force out by Tyler O’Neill.

Arizona quickly tied the game in the fourth, then added runs in the fifth and sixth for 4-2 lead. The Cardinals made it 4-3 in the home half of the sixth on an RBI single by Albert Pujols.

The Diamondbacks scored again in the seventh to make it 5-4. The Cardinals offense persisted and scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Knizner singled and DeJong doubled. Brendan Donovan grounded out and Knizner scored. Bader then hit a two-run moonshot to left center field to give the Redbirds a 6-5 lead. Nolan Arenado added a solo home run to make it 7-5.

Harrison Bader

The Diamondbacks were no match for Ryan Helsley in the final two innings. Helsley was throwing gas up to 103 mph and fanned four of the six hitters he faced to close out the win for St. Louis. It was his first save of 2022.

On the base paths, Tyler O’Neill was caught stealing. In the field, Paul DeJong was tagged with a throwing error.

Cardinals players cited for actions in benches clearing incident

The series between the Mets and the Cardinals concluded on Wednesday with a benches-clearing skirmish between the two teams that resulted in suspensions for two Cardinals players and fines for others.

The tension was brewing since the second game of the series when Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was hit in the helmet with an errant changeup from Kodi Whitley. Alonso did not leave the game.

Alonso was not the first Met hit by a pitch in the series but the third. Mark Canha was hit by Miles Mikolas in the first game of the series, and Dominic Smith had been hit two innings before Alonso. Starling Marte was hit by Aaron Brooks in the ninth. The helmet hit to Alonso was the most serious up to that point. Two Cardinals, Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman, were also hit by Mets pitchers in Game 2. None of the hits to Mets players took any of those players out of the game.

Tensions reached their zenith in the final game of the series on Wednesday. In the eighth inning of the game, Genesis Cabrera hit J.D. Davis with a 96 mph fastball in his left ankle. The injury was enough to take Davis out of the game.

When Nolan Arenado came to the plate to bat in the bottom of the eighth, Mets reliever Yoan Lopez sent a 94 mph fastball up and in near Arenado’s head, brushing him off the plate. Arenado began yelling and gesturing to Lopez and the benches cleared.

The skirmish featured first base coach Stubby Clapp wrestling Alonso to the ground at one point. The tussle ended as quickly as it started, but it resulted in both Arenado and Clapp being ejected from the game.

The consequences of the “brawl” were that Cabrera received a one game suspension and Arenado was suspended for two games. No Mets were ejected or suspended. Lopez received an undisclosed fine for his part in the incident, and both Jack Flaherty and Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker were fined an undisclosed amount for joining the fray while being on the injured list.

Cabrera served his suspension on Friday. Arenado appealed and his suspension was reduced to one game and a fine. He served his suspension on Saturday.

NL Central Standings

The Cardinals have lost five of their last eight and have fallen out of first place, two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, winners of 11 of their last 14.

Team W L Pct GB
Milwaukee 15 8 0.652
St. Louis 12 9 0.571 2
Chicago 9 13 0.409 5.5
Pittsburgh 9 13 0.409 5.5
Cincinnati 3 19 0.136 11.5

The Big Picture

The Cardinals ended a disappointing week at home with a record of 3-4. The Cardinals won just 1 of 3 from the first-place Mets from the East and split the four-game series with the last-place Diamondbacks from the West.

Nolan Arenado

The offense has shown sluggishness this past week. Two of their losses were shutouts and one was a two-hit shutout. The OPS leaders for the week were Nolan Arenado (1.077), Paul Goldschmidt (.962), and Harrison Bader (.851).

Corner outfielders Dylan Carlson (.308) and Tyler O’Neill (.321) continue to struggle. Paul DeJong (.411) has improved his offense a slight amount from last week but is still far below expectations. The designated hitters – Corey Dickerson (.516) and Albert Pujols (.500) – did not do much, either.

Miles Mikolas

Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas continue to be the top starting pitchers. Adam Wainwright hasn’t pitched to expectations since his Opening Day start. His last outing was not good, which included an uncharacteristic five walks. Steven Matz and Jordan Hicks have also been below average.

Ryan Helsley has been the top reliever. The right-hander pitched the final two innings of Sunday’s game and struck out four of the six batters he faced, throwing fastballs clocked at 103 mph. Rookie Andre Pallante has also been good.

Rosters will be cut from 28 to 26 players on Monday, May 2. Teams are allowed to keep 14 pitchers for another month. The likeliest players to be cut are the two most recent callups, pitcher Packy Naughton, and infielder Brendan Donovan, though a Sunday injury to Tommy Edman could change matters.

The Cardinals fell out of first place and have a record of 12-9, two games back of the Brewers. The season is early so it is expected there will be constant movement at the top. The Cardinals and the Brewers are really the only two teams likely to contend for the Division.

The Cardinals must improve in the rotation, and the offense needs to be more consistent. Carlson and O’Neill need to produce. DeJong is being given a long leash for now and is being helped by the fact that Edmundo Sosa has also struggled at the plate. Nolan Gorman is knocking at the door from Triple-A, and while it doesn’t appear the Cardinals are keen on moving Tommy Edman to shortstop for now, Gorman continuing to hit at Memphis could make the decision much harder.

The team plays the Royals for the next three games, a team that has always had extra incentive to beat the superior team from Eastern Missouri. The Cardinals then go to San Francisco to face the always tough Giants, who are only a half game back of the Dodgers and the Padres in the NL West. The Cardinals need to play better than they have the past week to not lose more ground to the streaking Brewers.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 4/25 The Cardinals optioned OF Lars Nootbaar to the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 4/25 The Cardinals recalled 3B Brendan Donovan from the Memphis Redbirds.
  • 4/28 LHP Genesis Cabrera suspended one game.
  • 4/29 The Cardinals activated LHP Genesis Cabrera.
  • 4/30 3B Nolan Arenado suspended one game.
  • 5/1 The Cardinals activated 3B Nolan Arenado.

Injury Report

  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) had imaging done on his shoulder which revealed inflammation as well as a small tear called a SLAP tear (superior labrum and posterior). Flaherty told the media the tear has been there for several years and is unrelated to the inflammation. Flaherty received a PRP injection in the shoulder. The right hander was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season. Flaherty has been throwing at increasing distances on flat ground. On Sunday, John Mozeliak told Bally Sports Midwest that Flaherty is about a week away from his first bullpen session and that the club is optimistic about his recovery.
  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) has been shut down from throwing for four weeks and has received a stem cell injection in his shoulder. Reyes was placed on the 60-day injured list and will be unavailable until June. On Sunday, Mozeliak said Reyes is about two weeks behind Flaherty with more news expected mid-May.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hip impingement. He received an injection in the hip and is expected to have minimal time away. The right hander will begin a 1-2 start rehab stint with Memphis on Monday night.
  • 2B Tommy Edman was removed from Sunday’s game due to a tight left hip flexor. The move was described as precautionary and not serious with more information expected Monday.

Tommy Edman

Looking Ahead

On Monday afternoon, May 2, the team will play a makeup of a rained out home game against the Royals, then head to KC to play the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in a two- game series. Steven Matz is scheduled to start on Monday. Dakota Hudson gets the start in Kansas City on Tuesday, with Adam Wainwright going on Wednesday.

The Cardinals will extend the road trip on Thursday, heading to San Francisco to play the Giants for four games.

After a travel day on Monday, May 9, the team returns to St. Louis to begin a six-game homestand. The Cardinals will play the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday through Thursday for three, followed by a weekend series against the Giants.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

Jim Edmonds (Getty Images)

This week’s Blast from the Past commemorates the most home runs hit in a month by the Cardinals in franchise history. This feat occurred in April 2000 when the Cardinals ended the month with 55 home runs, which tied the April National League record at that time.

In contrast, the 2022 Cardinals hit just 14 home runs in April.

The following is a breakdown of the April 2000 home runs by game.

April 3 – Craig Paquette (3 runs), Shawon Dunston (solo), Eric Davis (solo)

April 5 – Jim Edmonds (2 runs), Ray Lankford (solo)

April 6 – Fernando Tatis (3 runs), J.D. Drew (solo and grand slam), Mike Matheny (solo)

April 8 – Mark McGwire (solo)

April 9 – Mark McGwire (2 runs), Craig Paquette (solo), Jim Edmonds (solo), Edgar Renteria (solo), Shawon Dunston (solo), J.D. Drew (2 runs)

April 10 – Mark McGwire (2 runs), Edgar Renteria (2 runs), Ray Lankford (solo), J.D. Drew (2 runs)

April 11 – Jim Edmonds (solo), Thomas Howard (grand slam), Edgar Renteria (3 runs)

April 12 – Jim Edmonds (solo), Thomas Howard (2 runs)

April 13 – Placido Polanco (solo), Fernando Tatis (solo), Jim Edmonds (solo)

April 14 – Eric Davis (solo)

April 16 (Game 1) – Placido Polanco (solo), Thomas Howard (solo)

April 16 (Game 2) – Jim Edmonds (3 runs), Eli Marrero (solo)

April 18 – Edgar Renteria (solo)

April 19 – Fernando Tatis (solo), Shawon Dunston (solo)

April 20 – Eli Marrero (solo, grand slam), Rick Ankiel (solo)

April 21 – Fernando Tatis (2 run)

April 22 – Mark McGwire (2 runs), Fernando Tatis (2 runs)

April 23 – Mark McGwire (solo), Placido Polanco (grand slam)

April 25 – Edgar Renteria (solo), Mark McGwire (solo), Ray Lankford (3 runs)

April 26 – Rick Ankiel (3 runs), Jim Edmonds (solo), Fernando Tatis (2 runs)

April 27 – Eric Davis (solo), Mark McGwire (2 runs)

April 29 – Craig Paquette (2 runs)

April 30 – Jim Edmonds (solo), Mark McGwire (2 runs)

In only two games in April were there no home runs, April 7 and April 28.

Mark McGwire (Getty Images)

14 Cardinals went deep that month, led by Jim Edmonds and Mark McGwire with eight each. Fernando Tatis hit six and Edgar Renteria added five.

The current record for home runs in a month in either league is 74 by the Yankees in August 2019. The current NL record is 57 by the Dodgers in August 2020.

The Cardinals tied the 1947 New York Giants for the NL record in 2000. The Braves tied the record with 55 in May 2003, then broke it with 56 in June 2019. The Dodgers broke it again in August 2020 and continue to hold the NL record.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Two St. Louis Cardinals Roster Decisions Looming


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – April 30, 2022

photo: Matthew Liberatore (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 3-1 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Matthew Liberatore, with seven strikeouts in seven scoreless innings in Memphis’ road win. Other standouts include Domingo Robles, Pedro Pages and Mack Chambers.



Results from games played Friday, April 29.

Memphis 2 at Durham 1

The Memphis Redbirds secured a one-run victory on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Memphis starter Matthew Liberatore pitched seven scoreless innings for the second consecutive outing. The left hander allowed four hits, fanned seven and walked three to earn his third win.

Matthew Liberatore

Junior Fernandez threw a scoreless eighth. Jake Walsh surrendered one run in the ninth but earned his fifth save.

The Redbirds scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Ali Sanchez. Memphis added one in the seventh on a solo shot by Evan Mendoza.

Memphis’ offense scored its two runs on just six hits. Alec Burleson went 2-for-4. Lars Nootbaar and Kramer Robertson singled.

In the field, Burleson had an outfield assist at second base. Liberatore picked a runner off first base. Sanchez picked a runner off second.

Memphis is 12-10 and is in fourth place in the International League West, three games back of first place Columbus.

Saturday’s game:  at Durham, RHP Johan Oviedo (1-2, 9.77) vs. TBA, 5:35 CT.

Springfield 7 at San Antonio 6

The Springfield Cardinals edged the San Antonio Missions in a 7-6 contest on Friday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium. S-Cards’ left-handed starter Domingo Robles pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed four hits, struck out three and walked one.

Domingo Robles

Cory Thompson came on with two runners in scoring position to secure the final out of the sixth. All six San Antonio runs scored in the seventh. Michael Brettell surrendered five runs and Grant Black allowed one before getting the third out of the long inning. Black was charged with a blown save but was also awarded the win when his offense came back in the eighth. Freddy Pacheco tossed the final two scoreless innings to earn his fourth save.

Springfield took a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Moises Gomez drove in a run on a double. Two more runs scored on a single by Pedro Pages. The fourth run came home on a throwing error.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 5-0 in the top of the seventh. Pages singled and later scored on a single by Todd Lott. In the home half of the seventh San Antonio rallied for six runs to take a 6-5 lead.

Springfield took the lead back in the eighth on an RBI double by Gomez and a sac fly by Pages. Gomez, Pages and Delvin Perez each had two hits. Pages had three RBI and Gomez drove in two.

Pedro Pages

Matt Koperniak, Jordan Walker, and Perez each stole a base.

Springfield has a record of 8-11 and stands in last place in the Texas League North, four games back of first place Tulsa.

Saturday’s game:  at San Antonio, Garrett Williams LHP (0-1, 5.27) vs. TBA, 7:05 CT

Peoria 13, Wisconsin 10

The Peoria Chiefs prevailed in a Friday night slugfest with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Dozer Park. Peoria starter Austin Love pitched three innings and gave up six runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked two.

Out of the bullpen, Wilfredo Pereira surrendered three runs in 3 2/3 innings. Leonardo Taveras threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season. Enmanuel Solano started the ninth and walked all three batters he faced. Ryan Loutos allowed a run to score that was charged to Solano but got all three outs for his second save.

Peoria got on the board first with one run in the first inning. Mike Antico doubled, stole third base, and scored on a passed ball. Wisconsin answered in the second inning with five runs on two long balls and added a sixth run in the third inning on a solo home run.

The Chiefs cut the lead to 6-3 in the home half of the third. Antico drove in a run on a single and a second run scored on a sac fly by L.J. Jones. Peoria scored one more in the fourth on a solo home run by Carlos Soto.

The Timber Rattlers made it 7-4 in the fifth. Peoria responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth on a solo home run by Jacob Buchberger.

In the seventh, Wisconsin widened their tally by two more runs. The Chiefs then let it rip in the home seventh. Jones doubled to plate a run. Mack Chambers blasted a three-run home run. Masyn Winn tripled to score two and Peoria led 11-9.

Mack Chambers

In the eighth the Chiefs padded their lead to 13-9 on an RBI single by Jones and a ground out by Chambers. Wisconsin attempted to rally in the ninth but added only one run.

Antico, Buchberger, Chamberlain and Jones each had two hits. Jones drove in three and Chambers plated four.

The Chiefs were running wild early as Antico stole three bases, and Buchberger and Winn had two apiece, all in the first three innings. Noah Mendlinger stole his third base of the season but was also picked off first base.

Peoria is 10-9 and is in third place in the Midwest League West, five games back of Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Wisconsin, Logan Gragg RHP (0-1, 6.75) vs. Justin Jarvis RHP (1-1, 7.04) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 0, Jupiter 11

The Palm Beach Cardinals were blanked by the Jupiter Hammerheads in a lopsided contest on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Zane Mills got the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on six hits, struck out five and walked one.

Alex Cornwell surrendered four runs without recording an out. Bryan Pope followed and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Nelfri Contreras allowed two runs in the ninth, before Ludwin Jimenez got the final out of the ninth. Mills took the loss.

The Beach Birds offense managed only two hits, singles by Tyler Reichenborn and Jeremy Rivas.

On the base paths, Ramon Mendoza was caught stealing for the first time this season. In the field, catcher Roblin Heredia had a passed ball.

Palm Beach has a record of 8-11 and sits in last place in the Florida State League East, four games back of first place St. Lucie.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Jupiter, Carlos Guarate RHP (0-1, 4.40) vs. TBA 5:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Two St. Louis Cardinals Roster Decisions Looming


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – April 28, 2022

photo: Nolan Gorman (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 2-2 on Wednesday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, 2B Nolan Gorman, went 4-for-5 including two home runs with four RBI in Memphis’ win. Gordon Graceffo and Tommy Jew powered Peoria’s victory.



Results from games played Wednesday, April 27.

Memphis 9 at Durham 6

The Memphis Redbirds won their road contest over the Durham Bulls on Wednesday night by the score of 9-6. Memphis starter Connor Thomas pitched four innings, and gave up two runs on six hits, struck out five and walked one.

Brandon Waddell relieved and surrendered three runs in the fifth. Angel Rondon allowed one run in his two innings.  Junior Fernandez threw a scoreless eighth and Jake Walsh added a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save. Rondon received the win, his first of the season.

Memphis began the scoring with three runs in the first inning on a two-run home run by Nolan Gorman and an RBI single by Alec Burleson. Durham answered in the home half of the first to decrease the Redbirds lead to 3-1.

Memphis added two runs in the second, on another two-run home run by Gorman. The Bulls scored one in the third and the Redbirds led 5-2.

Nolan Gorman

In the fifth, Juan Yepez’ solo home run widened the Memphis lead to 6-2. Durham posted three runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-5.

Evan Mendoza thumped a solo home run in the sixth to increase the Memphis tally to 7-5. A solo home run by Durham in the bottom half of the sixth restored the one run edge.

The long ball slugfest continued in the seventh with a solo shot by Burleson to make it 8-6. The score became the final of 9-6 in the ninth when Gorman singled and scored on a fielding error.

Gorman went 4-for-5 with four RBI on two home runs, his ninth and 10th of 2022, and three runs scored. Lars Nootbaar was 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Yepez was 2-for-4 and Burleson was 2-for-5 with two RBI.

On the base paths, Conner Capel stole his sixth base of the season.

Memphis has a record of 11-9 and is in fourth place in the International League West, two games back of first place Columbus.

Thursday’s game: at Durham, RHP T.J. Zeuch (0-3, 10.91) vs. RHP Tommy Romero, 5:35 CT

Springfield 1 at San Antonio 4

The Springfield Cardinals fell to the Missions in a 4-1 contest at San Antonio’s Nelson Wolff Stadium on Wednesday night. Starter Dalton Roach pitched seven innings, gave up four runs on six hits and suffered his first loss of the season. The right hander struck out two and walked one.

Johan Quezada relieved and tossed a scoreless eighth.

Springfield scored their only run in the sixth. Chase Pinder drew a walk and Jordan Walker followed with a double to right. Pinder scored on a single by Todd Lott.

The Cardinals offense managed only three hits, the Walker double, the single by Lott and a single by Julio Rodriguez.

On the base paths, Walker was caught stealing for the first time this season.

Springfield is 7-10 and sits in last place in the Texas League North, four games back of first place Tulsa.

Thursday’s game:  at San Antonio, Kyle Leahy RHP (0-2, 11.37) vs. TBA, 7:05 CT.

Peoria 5, Wisconsin 2

The Peoria Chiefs beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 5-2 contest on Wednesday at Dozer Park. Gordon Graceffo took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up one run on three hits and fanned nine.

Gordon Graceffo

Nathanael Heredia surrendered one run in 1 2/3 innings of relief and was charged with a blown save. Ryan Loutos tossed the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season.

The Chiefs got on the board with one run in the first inning. Masyn Winn reached on a throwing error and scored on a double by Jacob Buchberger. Peoria increased the lead to 2-0 on a bases loaded walk by Winn.

Wisconsin finally got on the board with one run in the sixth and the tying run in the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, the Chiefs answered with a three-run home run by Tommy Jew to take a 5-2 lead. The Timber Rattlers failed to answer in the ninth.

Tommy Jew

As the only Chief with multiple hits, Winn was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jew drove in three.

Four Peoria players had stolen bases – Noah Mendlinger, Francisco Hernandez, Winn, and Mack Chambers. Hernandez, Matt Chamberlain, and Carlos Soto were each caught stealing.

Winn made a fielding error. Mike Antico had an outfield assist at second base.

Peoria is 9-8 and sits in third place in the Midwest League West, five games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Wisconsin, Dionys Rodriguez RHP (0-0, 2.25) vs. Brandon Knarr LHP (1-1, 2.20) 6:35 CT.

Palm Beach 3, Jupiter 6

The Palm Beach Cardinals were defeated by the Jupiter Hammerheads in a Wednesday contest at Roger Dean Stadium. Inohan Paniagua got the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, struck out six and walked two.

Inohan Paniagua

Hayes Heinecke surrendered one run in two innings of relief. Roy Garcia and Andre Granillo combined to throw the final two innings. They protected the tie until in the ninth when Granillo allowed a three-run shot with two inherited runners on base. Garcia took the loss, his third of the season.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Jupiter got on the board with one run. The Hammerheads increased the lead to 2-0 in the top of the fifth.

The Beach Birds responded with one run in the home fifth. Ramon Mendoza singled, stole third base, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Tyler Reichenborn drove Mendoza home on a single.

Jupiter scored a third run in the top of the sixth, but the Cardinals responded with two runs in the home half of the sixth to tie the game. Adanson Cruz drew a walk. Brandon Hernandez reached on a fielder’s choice, and both advanced a base on a ground out by Hansel Otamendi. Elijah Cabell walked to load the bases. Cruz then scored on a wild pitch, and Hernandez came home on a Mendoza single.

The game remained knotted up until the ninth when the Hammerheads scored three runs.  Palm Beach failed to rally in the bottom half of the inning.

Reichenborn was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mendoza was 2-for-3 and drove in a run.

Ramon Mendoza

Mendoza also stole two bases. In the field, Cruz had an outfield assist at home plate.

Palm Beach is 7-10 and stands in last place in the Florida State League East, four games back of first place St. Lucie.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Jupiter, Trent Baker RHP (0-2, 4.85) vs. TBA, 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

2021 Draft Class Improving Cardinals Class-A Pitching Results


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – April 27, 2022

photo: Zack Thompson (Memphis Redbirds)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 4-0 on Tuesday, with two shutouts and a 20-2 scoring edge. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Memphis starter Zack Thompson, who pitched 6 2/3 scoreless with nine punchouts. Teammate Ben DeLuzio went deep twice and made a gem in the outfield.

Results from games played Tuesday, April 26.



Memphis 10 at Durham 0

The Redbirds blanked the Bulls by a whopping 10 runs on Tuesday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Zack Thompson got the start for Memphis. The left hander pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed one hit and one walk and fanned a career high nine.

Zack Thompson

Zach McCallister relieved and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Blake Parker tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Redbirds posted their first two runs in the second inning on a double by Ivan Herrera and a throwing error. In the third, Nolan Gorman drove in a run on a double, extending his hitting streak to 13 games.

Two long balls by Ben DeLuzio, one in the fourth, a two-run blast, and the second in the fifth, a solo shot, widened the Redbirds lead to 6-0. Conner Capel’s solo home run in the seventh made it 7-0.

Ben DeLuzio

In the ninth, Herrera hit a solo home run, Evan Mendoza plated a run on a double, and a sac fly by Gorman scored the 10th and final run. Juan Yepez, Capel, DeLuzio and Mendoza, each had three hits. Herrera was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Gorman drove in two.

On the base paths, Gorman stole his first base of the season.

Memphis is 10-9 and is in sixth place in the International League West Division, 3.5 games back of first place Nashville.

Wednesday’s game:  at Durham, LHP Connor Thomas (1-0, 2.31) vs. RHP Easton McGee, 5:35 CT.

Springfield 5 at San Antonio 1

The Cardinals beat the Missions 5-1 in a Wednesday night contest at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Connor Lunn started for Springfield. The right hander pitched 6 2/3 innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out eight and walked one to earn his first win of the season and first at Double-A.

Grant Black threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Cory Thompson tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Cardinals put three runs on the board to begin the game on a three-run home run by Moises Gomez, his MiLB-leading 10th of the season. San Antonio partially answered with one run in the bottom of the first.

Moisés Gómez

In the second, Chase Pinder singled and later scored on fielding error. The Cardinals added to their 4-1 lead in the third. Chandler Redmond drew a walk. Pedro Pages doubled, and Delvin Perez walked. Nick Dunn plated Redmond on a sac fly.

Pinder went 2-for-5. Gomez was 2-for-3 with three RBI.

On the base paths, Jordan Walker stole his sixth base of the season. Gomez was picked off first base.

Springfield is 7-9 and in last place in the Texas League North, three games back of first place Tulsa.

Wednesday’s game:  at San Antonio, Dalton Roach RHP (1-0, 4.30) vs. TBA 7:05 CT.

Peoria 3, Wisconsin 1

The Chiefs defeated the Timber Rattlers in a Tuesday night game at Dozer Park. Michael McGreevy took the mound for Peoria. The right hander pitched six innings and gave up one run on four hits and fanned nine to earn his first win of the season and first at High-A.

Michael McGreevy

John Beller tossed the final three scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season.

Wisconsin got on the board first with one run in the second inning. In the fifth, the Chiefs jumped ahead with a three-run burst. Mack Chambers singled and he scored on Thomas Francisco’s double. Masyn Winn drew a walk and Jacob Buchberger drove in Francisco and Winn on a single. Buchberger was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

In the field, Chambers made a throwing error. McGreevy picked a runner off first base but also committed a pickoff error.

Peoria is 8-8 and is in third place in the Midwest League West, 4.5 games back of first place Cedar Rapids.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Wisconsin, RHP Gordon Graceffo (2-0, 0.56) vs. Max Lazar RHP (1-0, 4.50) 11:05 am CT

Palm Beach 2, Jupiter 0

The Cardinals shut out the Hammerheads on Tuesday night in 2-0 contest at Roger Dean Stadium. Jose Moreno got the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched four scoreless innings, allowed three hits, struck out two and walked four.

Jose Moreno

The Palm Beach bullpen protected the shutout the rest of the way. Ludwin Jimenez relieved and threw two scoreless innings. Edgar Manzo and Gianluca Dalatri combined for the final three scoreless innings. Jimenez got the win.

The Beach Birds posted one run in the first inning. Tyler Reichenborn reached on a throwing error and Sander Mora did as well. Osvaldo Tovalin ground into a force out and Reichenborn scored. The score remained 1-0 until the seventh inning when the Cardinals plated their second run on a double by Hansel Otamendi.

The offense scored two runs on three hits. No Cardinal had multiple hits. Otamendi’s double was the only extra base hit.

On the base paths, Jeremy Rivas was picked off first base. In the field, Brandon Hernandez made a fielding error. Otamendi had an outfield assist at third base. Catcher Roblin Heredia picked a runner off second base.

Palm Beach has a record of 7-9 and sits in last place in the Florida State League East Division, three games back of first place St. Lucie.

Wednesday’s game:  vs Jupiter, Inohan Paniagua RHP (0-1, 1.69) vs. Edgar Sanchez RHP (1-0, 0.82) 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2022 Week 3


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Louis Cardinals MLB Notebook – April 18-24

photo: Dakota Hudson (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals finished the 6-4 road trip with two 2-1 series wins. The offense cooled as the starting pitching stepped up, led by Dakota Hudson’s 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Tommy Herr’s heroics on “Seat Cushion Night” in 1987 are remembered in our weekly history feature.



Game recaps

Monday, April 18 – Off day

Tuesday, April 19 – Cardinals 5 at Marlins 1

The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Miami Marlins in the first of a three-game set at Loan Depot Park. Adam Wainwright took the mound for the Cardinals against Marlins hard throwing lefty Jesus Luzardo.

Adam Wainwright

Wainwright pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run on five hits, fanned six and walked two to earn his second win of the season. T.J. McFarland, Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos combined to throw the final 3 1/3 innings of relief.

St. Louis’ offense got on the board in the second inning on an RBI double by Paul DeJong. DeJong later scored the second run of the inning on a throwing error.

In the third, the Cardinals added two more runs on a single by Tyler O’Neill and a triple by Tommy Edman. Edman drove in the fifth and final run in the fifth inning on a single. Edman went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Albert Pujols was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

O’Neill and DeJong each stole a base. It was O’Neill’s first and DeJong’s second. Harrison Bader had an outfield assist at second base.

 

Wednesday, April 20 – Cardinals 2 at Marlins 0

The Cardinals blanked the Marlins 2-0 on Wednesday night in Game 2 of the three-game road series. Starter Miles Mikolas pitched five scoreless innings, allowed four hits and struck out five.

Miles Mikolas

Rookie Andre Pallante relieved in the sixth and threw impressive scoreless innings. Genesis Cabrera and Giovanny Gallegos each tossed a scoreless inning. Cabrera picked up his first win of the season and Gallegos earned his third save.

The game was a pitching duel between Mikolas and Marlin’s starter Sandy Alcantara. The stalemate was finally broken in the ninth inning. Tyler O’Neill drew a walk and Nolan Arenado blasted his fifth home run, a two run shot, into left center field to give the Cardinals the lead. The Redbirds had five total hits in the game. Tommy Edman was 2-for-4. Yadier Molina and Harrison Bader each singled.

Nolan Arenado

Paul Goldschmidt stole his second base of the season. Edman stole his first base. Molina made a throwing error.

Thursday, April 21 – Cardinals 0 at Marlins 5

After shutting out the Marlins the previous game, the Marlins reversed the outcome on the Cardinals in Thursday’s series finale. Jordan Hicks made the start. The right hander pitched three innings and gave up one run on two hits, struck out three and walked two. Hicks suffered his first loss of the season.

Drew VerHagen surrendered one unearned run in the fourth. Aaron Brooks threw the next 2 2/3 innings and allowed three runs. Nick Wittgren secured the final out of the seventh. Kodi Whitley tossed a scoreless eighth.

St. Louis’ offense managed five hits, three by Nolan Arenado. Dylan Carlson and Yadier Molina had the other two hits. All five hits were singles.

Paul DeJong committed his first error of the season, a missed catch. Molina had a passed ball.

Friday, April 22 – Cardinals 4 at Reds 2

The Cardinals traveled to Cincinnati to play the Reds in a weekend series. Game 1 on Friday was a 4-2 win for the Redbirds.

Cards starter Steven Matz posted his second win of the season. The left hander pitched five innings and gave up one run on seven hits, fanned six and walked two.

Steven Matz

Nick Wittgren relieved and threw a scoreless sixth. Ryan Helsley followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Genesis Cabrera threw 2/3 scoreless innings. Giovanny Gallegos was tagged with one run in the ninth but received his fourth save of the season.

The Cardinals got on the board in the first inning. Dylan Carlson led off with a single and scored on a single by Paul Goldschmidt with a fielding error. St. Louis added two runs in the fourth on two run single by Goldschmidt.

In the fifth, Lars Nootbaar drove in a run to make it 4-0. The Reds finally scored in the bottom of the fifth and then added a second run in the ninth. Goldschmidt was 3-for-5 and Nolan Arenado was 2-for-4.

Saturday, April 23 – Cardinals 5 at Reds 0

On Saturday, the Cardinals blanked the Reds in Game 2 to win the series at Great American Ballpark. Dakota Hudson pitched well in this start and won his first game of the season.

Hudson went 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. The right hander’s only blemish was four walks. He also struck out four.

Dakota Hudson

Andre Pallante and Kodi Whitley combined to toss the final 2 1/3 innings.

St. Louis scored in the second inning. Harrison Bader drew a walk, then stole second base. Andrew Knizner singled to plate Bader.

The Redbirds made it 2-0 in the fifth on an RBI single by Corey Dickerson. In the sixth, Knizner doubled, Tommy Edman was hit by a pitch, and Paul Goldschmidt drove in both on a double.

The fifth and last run scored in the eighth. Bader walked, stole second, and then stole third. Bader scored on a Tommy Edman single. Bader was hitless, but walked twice, stole three bases, scored two runs, and had an outfield assist at third base that saved a run.

Knizner, Paul Goldschmidt, and Dylan Carlson each had two hits.

In addition to the three bases stolen by Bader, Lars Nootbaar stole his first base of the season.

Sunday, April 24 – Cardinals 1 at Reds 4

The Cardinals were unable to complete a sweep of the Reds on Sunday in the final game of the series. Adam Wainwright got the start and had to battle his way through five innings. The right hander gave up four runs on eight hits, struck out three and walked three.

T.J. McFarland threw two scoreless innings in relief before Jake Woodford tossed a scoreless eighth. Wainwright took the loss, his second.

The Cardinals offense scored their only run in the sixth inning. Paul Goldschmidt smashed a ground rule double. Tyler O’Neill followed with a double that scored Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 in the game. Harrison Bader was 2-for-3.

O’Neill stole his second base of the season. Dylan Carlson had an outfield assist at second base.

NL Central Standings

Team W L Pct GB
St. Louis 9 5 0.643
Milwaukee 10 6 0.625
Pittsburgh 8 8 0.500 2
Chicago 7 9 0.438 3
Cincinnati 3 13 0.188 7

The Big Picture

The Cardinals ended the week with a record of 4-2, taking 2 of 3 from both the Marlins and the Reds. The Redbirds record is 9-5 and they remain in first place in the NL Central over Milwaukee by percentage points.

In their season-long 10-game road trip, the Cardinals went 6-4, splitting with Milwaukee but unable to sweep either Miami or Cincinnati. Yet, the results overall have been good.

The winning formula changed as the hot St. Louis offense cooled off a bit. The two hottest hitters from last week, Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman, both dropped to sub .800 OPS’s this week. The top performer for the week is Paul Goldschmidt, with an OPS of .832. Andrew Knizner has an OPS of .804 in two games.

Paul Goldschmidt

The strugglers with the bat are Paul DeJong (.381) and Yadier Molina (.286). The offense had to face several tough pitchers this week, most notably Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins, who kept the offense scoreless through eight innings on Wednesday. Hard-throwing rookie Nick Lodolo of the Reds also gave the offense fits.

A major contributor to the week was strong starting pitching, as Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, and Dakota Hudson had good starts. Jordan Hicks made his first start of the season but was limited to three innings. Adam Wainwright started two games with mixed results. He pitched fine in his first start against the Marlins but struggled on Sunday against the Reds.

The bullpen suffered an injury this week, with Drew VerHagen sidelined on the 10-day IL with a hip impingement. The bullpen has been successful so far in this early season, but the 28 player rosters change to 26 at the end of the month, and two players, most likely pitchers, will have to go. The team will have a tough decision to make, made tougher by the emergence of rookie Andre Pallante, who has pitched well in April. There are a limited number of pitchers with minor league options remaining, however, and Pallante is one of them. Jake Woodford’s use has been very limited and he may benefit by starting regularly at Triple-A.

The Cardinals return home on Monday to take on the Mets, who are in first place in the NL East with a record of 12-5, the best record in baseball currently. They face a tough competitor in Max Scherzer on Monday. After the Mets, the Cardinals play the Diamondbacks, currently in last place in the NL West with a record of 6-10. The Mets will be tough, but Arizona should not be underestimated. The Cardinals just lost a game to the Reds, the worst team in baseball, so there is no sure thing in this sport. Both the offense and the pitching must be at the top of their game.

Trade and Acquisition Rumors

There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.

Transactions

  • 4/22 The Cardinals placed RHP Drew VerHagen on the 10-day injured list. Right hip impingement
  • 4/22 The Cardinals recalled LHP Packy Naughton from the Memphis Redbirds.

Injury Report

  • RHP Alex Reyes (frayed right labrum) has been shut down from throwing for four weeks and has received a stem cell injection in his shoulder. Reyes is on the 60-day injured list and will be unavailable until June.
  • RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) had imaging done on his shoulder which revealed inflammation as well as a small tear called a SLAP tear (superior labrum and posterior). Flaherty told the media the tear has been there for several years and is unrelated to the inflammation. Flaherty received a PRP injection in the shoulder. The right hander was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season. Flaherty has been throwing and a rehab stint is expected but has not been scheduled.
  • RHP Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hip impingement. He received an injection in the hip and is expected to have minimal time away. The right hander will begin throwing during the coming week, with a bullpen session to occur within a few days.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals ended the 6-4 road trip and return home to begin an eight-game homestand. The team plays the Mets in a three-game series beginning on Monday. Miles Mikolas will get the Monday start and will face Mets ace Max Scherzer. Jordan Hicks will follow on Tuesday, and Steven Matz will face off against his former team on Wednesday.

Beginning on Thursday, the Cardinals play a four-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

On Monday, May 2 the team will make up a rained out home game against the Royals, then head to KC to play the Royals at Kauffmann Stadium for two.

The Cardinals will extend the road trip next Thursday, heading to San Francisco to play the Giants in a four-game weekend series.

The regular season schedule can be found here.

Blast from the Past

This week’s Blast from the Past looks at a memorable game that occurred on April 18, 1987. The Cardinals were playing the World Series Champions from the year before, the New York Mets. The Mets and the Cardinals were considered to be the contenders for the National League East Division title that season. The Cardinals considered the Mets (referred to as Pond Scum by the Cardinal faithful) a rival to be reckoned with.

It started as an ordinary April game at Busch Stadium, not particularly meaningful in the sense that it was just 10 games into the season. When it ended, the moniker “ordinary” no longer applied. This was a promotional night, and the fans received a seat cushion as they entered the park that evening.

The pitching matchup was Danny Cox for the Cardinals and Ron Darling for the Mets. Cox, in his fifth season in St. Louis, was coming off a 12-13, 2.90 ERA showing in 1986. Darling, (known to today’s fans as an analyst for the Mets SNY Network, along with Cardinals Hall of Famer Keith Hernandez) had finished the previous season with a record of 15-6 and an ERA of 2.81.

Neither starter would last long. Cox had won his previous two starts and this one began with a scoreless first inning for the right hander. In the second inning he gave up his first run on a single to Mets center fielder Lenny Dykstra. The game unraveled for Cox in the third. With two outs, Cox gave up a double to Daryl Strawberry and walked Kevin McReynolds. The Mets big slugger, Howard Johnson (no connection to the hotel chain) took Cox deep for a three-run home run.

Cox did not return for the fourth inning. Jose Oquendo pinch hit for Cox, and Pat Perry came in to pitch the fourth. Perry gave up one run and the Mets led 5-0.

Darling, on the other hand, had cruised through three innings. When the Cardinals came up to bat in the fourth, everything changed. Darling gave up consecutive singles to Tom Herr, Jack Clark and Willie McGee. Herr scored on McGee’s knock. Jim Lindeman then doubled to score Clark and McGee. Steve Lake plated Lindemann on a single. With two outs and four runs on the board, Darling surrendered a single to Vince Coleman, walked Ozzie Smith, and when the lineup came back around, walked Tom Herr with the bases loaded to score the fifth run to tie the game. After the Herr walk, Darling was replaced by David Cone, who fanned Clark to get the final out.

Ton Herr

The Cardinals took a 6-5 lead in the sixth when Cone walked Smith and Herr doubled to score Smith from first.

The seventh and eighth innings were scoreless on both sides. Todd Worrell had replaced Perry and Cone was replaced by Gene Walter. In the ninth, Worrell walked the first two Mets and was replaced by Bill Dawley. Dawley retired the next two hitters then allowed back to back singles to score the two runners on base and give the Mets a 7-6 lead.

Down one run in the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals hitters faced veteran lefty Jesse Orosco. Orosco walked Smith. Herr sacrificed Smith to second on a bunt. Smith stole third base and scored on a throwing error by Orosco. The game was tied. Clark and McGee struck out and the game went into extra innings.

Dawley returned to start the 10th. He walked Al Pedrique, who was then bunted over to second base. At that point Dawley was out and Dave LaPoint was in. LaPoint retired his first hitter on a groundout that advanced Pedrique to third. On his next hitter, Tim Teufel, he threw a wild pitch and Pedrique scored to give the Mets an 8-7 lead. La Point walked Teufel but struck out Keith Hernandez to end the inning.

Orosco returned to pitch the bottom of the 10th. He retired Tito Landrum on a groundout but gave up back-to-back singles to Terry Pendleton and Lake (Tom Lawless pinch ran for Lake). Tom Pagnozzi pinch hit for Curt Ford and singled to score Pendleton and tie the game at 8-8.

With the game once again tied, Orosco retired Coleman on a ground out to first, then intentionally walked Smith to load the bases. Tom Herr came to bat. Herr had already reached base four times that evening. Orsoco threw Herr a first pitch fastball, and Herr sent it soaring over the left field wall for the first gram slam of his career.

The Cardinals won the game 12-8 on a walk off as Cardinals fans pummeled the field with thousands of seat cushions. The field was so littered with them that the grounds crew were still picking them up the next day.

Future Cardinals Hall of Famer Herr received the game winning ball from an usher. Manager Whitey Herzog said afterward, “I guess that will be the end of seat cushion day.”  He was right.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

St. Louis Cardinals 2022 Extended Spring Training Schedule


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – April 23, 2022

photo: Mack Chambers (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 1-3 on Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is shortstop Mack Chambers, who went 3-for-5 including a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Peoria’s win at Cedar Rapids.

Results from games played Friday, April 22.



Memphis 3, Omaha 9

The Memphis Redbirds lost to the Omaha Storm Chasers by a 9-3 score on Friday night at AutoZone Park. The starter for Memphis was T.J. Zeuch. The right hander pitched two innings, gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits, struck out three and walked five. Zeuch took the loss, his third of the season as his ERA grew to 10.91 over four starts.

Angel Rondon relieved in the third and walked in a run before fanning the side.  He was pulled after a solo home run and a walk to open the sixth. The right-hander allowed two earned runs in his three-plus innings. Kyle Ryan yielded two more runs of his own in the four-run sixth. Blake Parker threw a scoreless seventh, and Zach McAllister tossed the final two scoreless innings.

Zach McAllister

The Storm Chasers posted one run in the first inning to take the early lead. Memphis immediately tied it in the bottom of the first. Kramer Robertson doubled and Cory Spangenberg singled. Robertson scored on a sac fly by Juan Yepez.

Omaha answered with two runs in the second and two runs in the third to go ahead 5-1. In the sixth, the Storm Chasers expanded their lead to 9-1.

The Redbirds started a rally in the eighth but were only able to get two runs closer. An Ivan Herrera RBI single led to the first run and the second scored on a ground out by Clint Coulter. The offense scored their three runs on five hits.

In the field, Robertson made a fielding error, and Herrera had a passed ball.

Memphis has a record of 8-8 and is tied for fifth place with Omaha in the West Division of the International League, four games back of the first place Columbus Clippers.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Omaha, LHP Matthew Liberatore (1-2, 6.28) vs. LHP Austin Cox, 3:05 CT.

Springfield 7, Tulsa 10

The Springfield Cardinals fell to the Tulsa Drillers 10-7 in a Friday night game at Hammons Field. Kyle Leahy took the mound for Springfield. The right hander pitched 3 1/3 innings, gave up eight runs on 10 hits, struck out five and walked one. Leahy took the loss, his second of the season as his ERA grew to 11.37.

Sean Kealey surrendered two runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Tyler Pike threw three scoreless innings on one hit, one walk and with two strikeouts. Mike Brettell tossed a clean ninth.

Tulsa took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Springfield scored one run in the bottom half of the first on a sac fly by Moises Gomez.

In the third, the Cardinals took the lead with a six-run outburst. Chase Pinder hit a solo home run. Gomez then blasted a two-run shot. Chandler Redmond followed with a two-run blast. The final run of the inning came home on a single by Irving Lopez.

The 7-3 lead was short-lived. In the top of the fourth, the Drillers posted their own crooked number, scoring seven runs to retake the lead 10-7. The slugfest ended there, and neither team was able to score further.

Moisés Gómez

Jordan Walker was 2-for-5 and Gomez was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Redmond drove in two.

On the base paths, Walker stole his third base of the season. Delvin Perez swiped his seventh. Gomez was picked off first base.

The Cardinals are 5-8 on the season and is are last place in the North Division of the Texas League, four games back of first-place Tulsa.

Saturday’s game:  vs. Tulsa, Domingo Robles LHP (1-0, 0.75) vs. John Rooney LHP (1-1, 4.66) 5:35 CT.

Peoria 8 at Cedar Rapids 2

The Peoria Chiefs were victorious over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field on Friday night. Right-handed starter Dionys Rodriguez pitched four innings and gave up two runs on three hits, fanned five and walked three.

Levi Prater threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Wilfredo Pereira added 2 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, his first of the season. Nick Trogrlic-Iverson tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Chiefs got on the board first in the third inning on a solo home run by Mack Chambers. Cedar Rapids quickly tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

In the fourth, Mike Antico drove in two runs on a double to give Peoria a 3-1 lead. The Kernels cut the lead to 3-2 in the home half of the frame.

The Chiefs widened their lead to 7-2 in the seventh. Chambers drove in a run on a single and then scored on a single by Aaron Antonini. Tommy Jew drew a walk and stole second. Antonini came home on a throwing error. Thomas Francisco singled to plate Jew. Peoria added an eighth run in the eighth on a second RBI single by Chambers.

Mack Chambers

Chambers went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Francisco was 2-for-4.

On the base paths, Antico, Chambers, Antonini and Jew each stole a base. For Chambers it was his first. Chambers also made a throwing error in the field.

The Chiefs are 7-6 on the season and stand in third place in the West Division of the Midwest League, three games back of Cedar Rapids.

Saturday’s game:  Cedar Rapids, RHP Austin Love (0-1, 9.72) vs. Sawyer Gipson-Long RHP (1-0, 0.00) 2:05 CT.

Palm Beach 2 at Lakeland 9

The Palm Beach Cardinals were defeated by the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Friday night at Publix Field. Palm Beach starter Trent Baker pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits, struck out one and walked two. Baker suffered his second loss of the season.

Reliever Roy Garcia surrendered two runs in the fourth. Andrew Marrero started the fifth and issued three walks to load the bases. Marrero was replaced by Alex Cornwell. Cornwell induced a ground ball for one out but two scored on a throwing error by second baseman Brandon Hernandez. Cornwell continued through a scoreless sixth. Edgar Manzo and Hayes Heinecke each tossed a scoreless inning.

Lakeland took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Beach Birds tied it in the top of the second on an RBI double by Ryan Holgate. The Flying Tigers retook the lead with a run in the home second.

The Cardinals retied the score in the top of the third on a solo home run by Sander Mora. In similar fashion, Lakeland regained their one run lead in the bottom of the third. The Flying Tigers pushed the lead wider with a four-run fourth.

The Flying Tigers added two more scores in the fifth. Palm Beach was unable to rally in the final innings. Cleanup hitter Jeremy Rivas went 2-for-4 with a run scored but his teammates had just three more hits combined. Palm Beach hitters fanned 13 times, including three by Hernandez batting second.

On the base paths, Rivas stole his first base of the season, while Tyler Reichenborn was caught stealing for the third time.

In the field, Hernandez made a throwing error and Rivas had a fielding miscue. Roblin Heredia had a passed ball.

The Cardinals are 5-8 on the young season and sit in last place in the East Division of the Florida State League, three games behind the first place St. Lucie Mets.

Saturday’s game:  at Lakeland, Zane Mills RHP (0-0, 1.64) vs. TBA 5:00 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2022 Week 3


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Cardinals Minor League Notebook – April 21, 2022

photo: Moises Gomez (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system was 0-3 on Wednesday with Peoria’s game postponed. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Springfield outfielder Moises Gomez, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Springfield’s loss.

Results from games played Wednesday, April 20.



Memphis 6, Omaha 9 (eight innings)

The Memphis Redbirds (7-7) fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers in a Wednesday afternoon contest at AutoZone Park. After an hour rain delay, Zack Thompson took the mound for Memphis. The left hander pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked one.

Reliever Blake Parker surrendered two additional runs in the fifth and took the loss. Packy Naughton threw scoreless sixth and seventh innings. Zach McCallister began the eighth and allowed two runs. The game was delayed again at the start of the ninth inning, with Junior Fernandez announced to pitch, but the game was ultimately called before play resumed.

Omaha scored two quick runs on Thompson in the first inning and added a third run in the second. Memphis responded in the bottom half of the second with two runs on RBI singles by Scott Hurst and Brendan Donovan.

The Storm Chasers increased the lead with one run in the third to make it 4-2. In the bottom frame of the third a two-run long ball by Cory Spangenberg tied the game at 4-4 and Hurst hit his second RBI single to make it 5-4.

Cory Spangenberg

Omaha stormed back with three solo home runs, one against Thompson and the other two against Parker to retake the lead 7-5. Justin Toerner made it 7-6 on a sac fly.

The Storm Chasers added two unanswered runs in the eighth. The rain came and the game was called, with the Redbirds defeated 9-6. Ali Sanchez went 2-for-4. Toerner was 2-for-2 and Hurst was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Spangenberg drove in two. Nolan Gorman singled, but his home run streak ended at five games.

Clint Coulter had an outfield assist at home plate.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Omaha, LHP Connor Thomas (0-0, 1.50) vs. RHP Jackson Kowar, 6:45 CT.

Springfield 5, Tulsa 7

The Springfield Cardinals (4-7) were defeated by the Drillers at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. Connor Lunn suffered his second loss of the season. The right hander pitched 4 2/3 innings, gave up six runs on 10 hits, fanned seven and walked one.

Cory Thompson threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Kevin Marnon surrendered one run in 2/3 of an inning and Grant Black tossed the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings on one hit with two strikeouts.

Tulsa got on the board with two runs each in the third and fourth innings. The Cardinals scored for the first time in the bottom of the fourth. Moises Gomez singled and walks by Malcom Nunez and Todd Lott loaded the bases. Gomez scored when Julio Rodriguez drew a free pass.

Moisés Gómez

The Drillers increased their lead to 6-1 in the fifth. Springfield scored three in the sixth to cut the lead to 6-4 on a two-run single by Rodriguez and a force out from Roberto Baldoquin.

Julio Rodriguez

Tulsa scored again in the seventh to make it 7-4, but the Cardinals answered in the bottom frame with a run on an RBI single by Chandler Redmond. A ninth inning rally with Jordan Walker on third base with one out, fell short as the final two batters struck out.

Gomez went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Walker was 2-for-5. Rodriguez drove in three.

In the field, Walker made a throwing error, his third of the season.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Tulsa, Dalton Roach RHP (0-0, 2.08) vs. Gus Varland RHP (0-1, 5.68) 6:35 CT.

Peoria at Cedar Rapids (postponed)

The game between Peoria (6-4) and Cedar Rapids was postponed due to rain. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday.

Thursday’s games:  at Cedar Rapids (Game 1), RHP Michael McGreevy (0-0, 0.00) vs. Sean Mooney RHP (0-0, 6.00) 5:30 CT; (Game 2), RHP Gordon Graceffo (2-0, 0.82) vs. RHP Casey Legumina

Palm Beach 0 at Lakeland 9

The Palm Beach Cardinals (5-6) were blanked by the Flying Tigers by 9-0 score on Wednesday night at Lakeland’s Publix Field. Jose Moreno made the start for Palm Beach. The right hander pitched four innings, gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits, struck out three and walked three. He suffered his first loss of the season.

Ludwin Jimenez relieved and surrendered three runs in the fifth. Newcomer Bryan Pope threw a scoreless sixth. Nelfri Contreras allowed four unearned runs in the seventh and Alex Cornwell tossed a scoreless eighth.

Luis Rodriguez

The Beach Birds offense had just five hits, including a double by Osvaldo Tovalin. Luis Rodriguez singled twice in four at-bats. The Cards were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners.

The Cardinals committed three errors that led to the five unearned runs. Franklin Soto made a throwing error, Tovalin had a fielding miscue, and Contreras had a missed catch error.

Thursday’s game:  at Lakeland, Ihohan Paniagua RHP (0-0, 1.80) vs. TBA 5:30 CT.


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Peoria Chiefs Notebook – 2022 Week 2


Now Available – 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide

The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for its fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: A Turbulent Decade Begins

photo: Marvin Miller

The Cardinal Nation’s series highlighting the history of labor struggles in MLB continues with multiple contentious CBA negotiations and the 1981 strike. Author Marilyn Green is a retired attorney with background in employment law.



As outlined in Part 9 of this series, the end of the decade of the 1970s brought huge gains for the MLB Players Association with the right to free agency granted by arbitration decision and a new Basic Agreement that gave new rights to players.  The gains came at a cost as the decade turned over and more negotiations for a new Basic Agreement were underway.

The last Agreement of the 1970s expired on New Year’s Eve 1979.  As that date approached, it was clear from the increasingly tense relationship between the union and the owners that a major showdown was looming.  The owners remained defiant in the wake of their setbacks from the prior Agreement.  The owners strongly resented what they felt was interference in their business by the MLBPA and they were dead set on clawing back some of what they lost in the 1976 Basic Agreement.

In anticipation of the upcoming negotiations, the owners voted to assemble a “strike fund” of $3.5 million generated by 2% of the gate receipts from the previous season.  The owners also procured strike insurance from Lloyd’s of London.  In response, the union set aside $1 million from licensing revenues for their own emergency fund.

Bowie Kuhn

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn took the bold step of meeting with MLBPA head Marvin Miller for the purpose of extracting some kind of promise from Miller to “throw” the upcoming negotiations on the basis of an alleged payroll crisis for the owners.  Miller of course refused, in words that were less than refined, according to Kuhn.  The request served one purpose, that of a warning signal to the union that a war was on the horizon.

Miller saw these negotiations as likely the last before he retired, and his resolve was hardened even more than usual.  He dismissed Kuhn’s claim of owner poverty as laughable. As the end of the year neared, Miller made his demands clear; the players wanted a lowering of free agency eligibility to four years, a pension boost, a raise of the minimum salary to $40,000 and an elimination of the five-year waiting time for a repeat free agency.

The owners countered, via their new negotiator Ray Grebey, with draconian demands for the end of salary arbitration, a pay scale for players with less than six years of service, and more compensation for loss of free agent players in the form of replacement players from the signing teams.

The MLBPA responded to what they considered outrageous demands with a strike date of April 1, 1980.  The owners dropped their demand for a salary scale shortly after.  Nevertheless, the owners persisted in publicly crying poverty, even at the risk of an NLRB complaint and subpoenas to open their books to back up their claims.

Despite the bluster from both sides, by the end of March both the union and the owners agreed to submit their disputes to nonbinding arbitration.  The MLBPA offered to remove the strike threat on the condition that the owners committed to bargaining in good faith on all issues except free agent compensation.  That issue would be punted until the negotiations on the next Basic Agreement.

The union’s offer was rejected by the owners.  As initially promised, the players walked out of their spring training camps on April 1.  The cancellation of regular season games was a virtual certainty.  The MLBPA made one last offer, that they would the resume the regular schedule as long as an agreement was reached by May 22.  If no agreement was reached, they would walk out again on May 23.

Ken Moffett

The negotiations, facilitated by arbitrator Ken Moffett, descended into a standoff over the issue of free agent compensation.  Moffett suspended the talks twice for a cooling off period.  In the early morning hours of May 23, Miller and Grebey agreed to a one-year interim agreement.  The agreement sketched out raises in the minimum salary and increased pension contributions.  Free agent compensation was assigned to a study group that would issue a report at the end of the year.

In addition, if no final agreement was reached by February 19, 1981, the owners would have the power to unilaterally impose their last offer on free agent compensation.  The union would have until March 1, 1981 to file a formal objection and then vote on a strike to take place no later than June 1, 1981.

The union ratified the interim agreement and the 1980 season proceeded as scheduled.  The joint study committee accomplished nothing by the end of the year deadline. Further negotiations in early 1981 also were fruitless.  On February 19, the owners’ free agent compensation plan took effect.  The players reported for spring training and played out the schedule, with a strike date of May 29.

The MLBPA filed an NLRB grievance over the owner’s claims of poverty and a request for injunction for the owners to open their books was filed in federal court.  The filing caused a postponement of the strike date.  However, on June 10 the federal judge denied the injunction.  The players went out on strike on June 12, 1981.

Negotiations for a final agreement resumed but only three meetings took place in the first week of the strike.  Miller, always a lightning rod for the owners, withdrew from the negotiations to try to cool things off.  He was replaced by players Mark Belanger, Doug DeCinces, Bob Boone, and Steve Rogers as well as union counsel Don Fehr.

Miller returned to the talks on July 1.  The All-Star Game, set for July 14, was postponed.  The U.S Secretary of Labor asserted himself into the negotiations at the request of one of the owners.  Still no agreement was reached but there was some momentum for a proposal by the union for pooled compensation as opposed to compensation from the signing team.  By the end of July an agreement was reached on pooled compensation.

The strike lasted 50 days, 712 games were cancelled, and the season was split into two halves.  The union ratified the agreement on August 2. Principals were Kuhn, Grebey, Orioles owner Edward Bennett Williams, and Astros owner John McMullen for the owners.  For the union, Miller, Moss, and Fehr were principals.

The agreement was for four years with an expiration date of December 31, 1984.  The provisions were:

  • Free agent eligibility remained at six years.
  • Teams losing free agents would receive compensation from a pool of players with rankings as Type A and Type B players. The players in the pool are from unprotected players from the rosters of teams that sign free agents.  In addition to a pool player, the losing team receives a draft pick.
  • Salary arbitration remains at two years of service time.
  • Minimum salary raises: $30,000 (1980), $32,500 (1981), $33,500 (1982), $35,000 (1983), and $40,000 (1984).
  • Right to demand trade remains the same as prior agreement.
  • Pension contributions raised to $15.5 million.

Marvin Miller, who rescued the MLBPA from obscurity and built the union into what it remains to this day, retired at the end of 1982.  He remained on in a consulting capacity for new Executive Director Kenneth Moffett, the federal arbitrator who had facilitated the 1981 Agreement.  Even before Miller officially stepped down, rumors circulated that the owners, with the ink still fresh on the Basic Agreement, were already colluding to keep free agent salaries down.

The reign of Moffett began poorly and was short-lived.  He refused Miller’s counsel and would not relocate to the offices in New York.  Though Miller had contracted to consult, Moffett locked him out of the MLBPA offices.  Moffett gave the players every indication that he was not going to work hard for them, so in September 1983, the Executive Committee voted to fire Moffett.

Don Fehr

Miller returned temporarily to guide the MLPA until a new Executive Director was hired.  The MLBPA decided on assistant counsel Donald Fehr as acting director, and he was made the official Executive Director in December 1985.

The other side was going through a transition as well.  Bowie Kuhn, who had held the office of Commissioner since 1969, fell into disfavor.  The owners were unhappy over Kuhn’s handling of the 1981 strike, and when Kuhn declared war on some players for their drug use, suspending four Kansas City Royals players for one year without the due process required in MLB’s Joint Drug Policy, the owners had enough.  The suspensions were overturned by an arbitrator and Kuhn was out the door.

Peter Ueberroth

New commissioner Peter Ueberroth was selected by the owners in March 1984, but did not officially take office until October.  Negotiations were underway for a new Basic Agreement with the expiration of the existing Agreement set for December 31.  As usual, talks were tense and moving at a snail’s pace.  Ueberroth was met with a potential umpire’s strike upon taking his post but was able to avert that by granting raises to the umpires.  His entry into the snake pit of Basic Agreement talks would not be so easy.

Owners were once again claiming poverty but unlike in prior years, they suddenly announced in February 1985 a willingness to open their books to the union.  Knowing it would take time to go through the voluminous documents, the union agreed to start the season on time while continuing the negotiations. However, on June 4, Fehr announced that a strike would be called if no agreement was reached by August 6.

In mid-June, the economics expert hired by the union to examine the owners’ finances issued a report that basically said baseball was in good shape financially with robust growth, but that players’ salaries had declined substantially.  Unsurprisingly, the owners responded with their own expert who reported that baseball was heading for a huge financial loss.

The two sides were at a stalemate.  When games concluded on August 6, the players went on strike.  This was the shortest stoppage in baseball history, as two days later an agreement was announced.  The cancelled games would be made up in doubleheaders.

The new Basic Agreement was a five-year agreement to expire on December 31, 1989. Principals to the agreement were Ueberroth, Committee Chairman Lee McPhail, and General Counsel Barry Rona for the owners.  The union was represented by Fehr, Associate General Counsel Gene Orza, and Special Assistant to the Executive Director Mark Belanger.

The provisions were:

  • Free Agency – The free agent draft was eliminated, allowing free agents to negotiate with all clubs.
  • Free Agency Compensation – Player compensation was eliminated. Compensation would be draft picks only.
  • Salary Arbitration – Service time for arbitration was raised to three years beginning in 1987.
  • Drug Testing – The parties agree to create an independent committee to oversee player drug issues and discipline. The union retained the right to challenge disciplinary action through grievance.
  • Minimum salary – Increase to $60,000 with cost of living adjustments in subsequent seasons. Minimum is $62,500 for 1987 and 1988 and $68,000 for 1989.
  • The players receive a cut of World Series pool.
  • League Championship Series will remain at seven games through the end of the Agreement.
  • Pension – Increase in owner contribution to $33 million each year from 1985-88. Increase to $39 million in 1989.

The media declared this Agreement to be another victory for the union.  Many players saw it differently and were upset that they had given up the additional year for arbitration.  Mistrust in Fehr began to grow. The 1985 Agreement was never put in writing.

The owners were even more unhappy.  Their unhappiness led them to do something over the next several years that resulted in one of the greatest scandals in baseball since the Black Sox scandal in 1919 one that would be costly to its perpetrators.

To be continued…

Prior articles in this series

History of Labor Struggles in Major League Baseball: The Early Years

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The Rise of the AL and Road to Antitrust Exemption

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The Supreme Court and Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: Post World War II

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The MLBPA and Marvin Miller

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The First Collective Bargaining Agreement

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The Fight for Free Agency

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The End of the Reserve System

History of Labor Struggles in MLB: The Free Agency Era Begins


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

TCN’s Monthly Cardinals Top 50 Prospect Rankings – April 2022


2022 Prospect Guide now available

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2022 Prospect Guide is back for a fifth year. It includes 276 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos, scouting reports and much more.

Order TCN’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.


Special limited time bundle

Save 25% on your first year’s subscription to The Cardinal Nation – just $59.95 when you also purchase The Cardinal Nation’s 2022 Cardinals Prospect Guide in printed book form.

This is our best-ever subscription price! You receive $120.00 of value for $99.90! This offer ends when the supply of Prospect Guides is exhausted – so don’t wait!

Special Limited Time Bundle – The Cardinal Nation Subscription plus Prospect Guide

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2022 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.