photo: Nolan Sparks (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Peoria fell to 1-1 in the AFL after a Sunday loss at Mesa. Cardinals reliever Nolan Sparks threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, escaping an inherited two-on, one-out jam in the sixth with two strikeouts.
Mesa Solar Sox 4, Peoria Javelinas 3
Peoria fell to the Mesa Solar Sox in a tight Sunday matchup. Two St. Louis Cardinals prospects played in the game: centerfielder Tai Peete and right-handed pitcher Nolan Sparks.
Peete started off the night with a single in the top of the first. The leadoff man was then picked off and caught stealing second base. In his second at-bat, in the third inning, he flied out to left field. In the top of the fifth, the 21-year-old from Riverdale, GA, struck out. In his last two at-bats, Peete grounded out. The centerfielder was 1-for-5 for the day.
Sparks entered the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Javelinas were down 2-1. With two runners on, Sparks got his team out of the jam with two consecutive strikeouts. In his 1 ⅔ innings on the mound, he walked two and struck out two while not allowing any runs or hits.
Peoria took the lead after his appearance, which would have set Sparks up for the win, but the Javelinas gave up a home run and an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth as Mesa pulled ahead and won.
No other Cardinals prospects appeared in the game.
The Javelinas are 1-1. They play another road game next, this time at the Salt River Rafters on Monday.
Monday’s Game: At Salt River Rafters
– RHP Luke Holman vs. LHP Cesar Lares
– First Pitch: 3:30 CST
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Springfield Cardinals Notebook – 2026 Playoffs
The Double-A team has carried the Cardinals name since moving to the Queen City in 2005, but its St. Louis parent no longer owns it. Diamond Baseball Holdings has been the team owner since May of 2023. Springfield will remain an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, despite the rebrand, and has no plans to leave the 417.
This isn’t the first time Springfield has made a major branding change. Before this season, the ballpark was renamed from Hammons Field to Route 66 Stadium, in honor of the city being marked as the birthplace of the Mother Road.