photo: Johan Mieses (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-5. Springfield’s Johan Mieses is a rare consecutive Player of the Day. Adam Wainwright made another strong rehab appearance, his fifth. The GCL and DSL Blue clubs dropped their playoff games due to defensive miscues.

Results from the games played Monday, August 27^th.

Memphis 2 vs. Nashville 0

A pair of St. Louis hurlers on the comeback trail combined on a four-hitter as the Redbirds blanked the Sounds, 2-0.  Memphis (80-53) won three of the four-game set, having sealed the American Southern Division title over second-place Nashville (69-64) (OAK).

Making his first rehab start for the Triple-A Redbirds after stops in Palm Beach and Springfield, Adam Wainwright threw four solid frames, his longest outing to date.  The tall Georgian held the opposition to three hits and two walks over four with 38 of his 61 pitches going for strikes.

Tyler Lyons (W, 1-1) followed Wainwright to the mound and was impressive in his five-inning stint.  The southpaw struck out seven while yielding just one hit and one base-on-balls.  Lyons threw 73 pitches, 43 for strikes.

The home team generated seven hits, including three in their two-run third.  Randy Arozarena lined a single to left to open the frame prior to stealing his 16^th bag.  Lane Thomas worked a free pass followed by Rangel Ravelo’s RBI single to left that drove in Arozarena.  Alex Mejia came to the plate with runners at the corners and sent a two-out single to right, bringing Thomas home.

Arozarena and Mejia each singled twice in three and four at bats, respectively.  Arozarena was active on the base paths as well, swiping his 16^th and 17^th bags of the Triple-A season.

Tuesday’s game:  at fourth-place Round Rock (61-72) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Jake Woodford (4-4, 4.42)

Springfield 5 at Tulsa 3

Johan Mieses led the S-Cards over the Drillers, 5-3, in the decisive third game of the series.  Springfield (26-36) has been reduced to the role of spoiler after having been eliminated from postseason contention.

Consecutive Player of the Day honoree Mieses followed up Sunday’s grand-slam performance with a 3-for-5 effort.  The right fielder doubled twice, scored once and drove in three to account for four of his team’s five tallies.  Ramon Urias and Victor Roache each had two of the squad’s 10 hits. Urias touched home once in four at bats with a base-on-balls and going 2-for-5 with a double.  Andy Young singled once in five at bats with a run scored and has hit safely in his last six games.

Both tallies charged to Casey Meisner (W, 2-1) over five innings came via a two-run home run in his initial inning of work.  The very tall Texan gave up four hits and three base-on-balls.

The bullpen then got to work and held first-place Tulsa (34-27) to a single score over the last four frames.  Roel Ramirez issued two free passes during his two innings on the bump while Hector Mendoza faced the minimum in the eighth.  But Seth Elledge (S, 3) surrendered a solo shot, his first allowed as an S-Card.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. second-place Arkansas (32-30) (SEA), 6:30 pm CT, Michael Wacha (rehab)

Palm Beach 0 at Dunedin 6

Monday was a cold night for the Beach Birds’ offense in their 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays in the road series opener.  Palm Beach (32-31) stands just two games away from second-half elimination but has already qualified for the postseason, thanks to winning the first-half division race.

The PB-Cards had just five base runners the entire game, via three singles and two walks.  No Beach Bird managed to accomplish both.  Defensively, right fielder Conner Capel and left fielder Dylan Carlson were each credited with an outfield assist at second.

Meanwhile, a quartet of Palm Beach pitchers combined for 14 hits allowed, beginning with Alex Fagalde.  Fagalde (L, 3-2) yielded four runs on six hits, including two solo shots, and two walks in 5 1/3.

Austin Sexton was next up and permitted a run on two hits with two outs recorded.  Mike O’Reilly navigated around three hits for a clean seventh but Yeison Medina’s three-hit effort produced another Dunedin run.

Tuesday’s game:   at Dunedin (35-28) (TOR), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 9 vs. Beloit 4

The Chiefs pounded out 15 hits in their 9-4 victory over fifth-place Beloit (33-30) to take the home series, four games to one.  The win allowed second-place Peoria (37-26), whose first-half performance has already qualified them for the postseason, to remain 3 ½ games behind first-place Cedar Rapids (MIN).

The offense was led by Dennis Ortega and Zach Kirtley, who had three hits apiece in four at bats.  One of Ortega’s hits was his sixth home run, which comprised one of his two runs scored and both of his RBI.  Kirtley smashed his 15^th double, crossed home three times and drove in one.

Three Chiefs each went 2-for-4 with a run scored:  Justin Toerner, Luken Baker and Nick Dunn.  Toerner’s triple was the only hit to go for extras while Ortega drove in two to Toerner and Baker’s one RBI.  Third baseman Wood Myers doubled and scored in his only at bat before being replaced by Nolan Gorman in the visitor half of the second.  Gorman was hitless in four at bats.

It took four Peoria hurlers to complete nine frames.  Angel Rondon tossed the first three, permitting two solo bombs making up two of his four hits and one walk yielded.  Ben Yokley went the next two, allowing two runs on two hits and a free pass.

Kodi Whitley was credited with the win, his fourth against one loss, and gave up three hits in 2 1/3 scoreless frames.  Fabian Blanco induced a double play ball to erase Whitley’s final runner and retired all four batters faced.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

State College 6 at Batavia 11

Two big innings by the Muckdogs led to an 11-6 defeat for the Spikes, who have not won either of the first two of the three-game series.  Third-place State College (34-35) is three away from division title contention and are in fifth place in the Wild Card standings, 2 ½ in back of Brooklyn (NYM).

After being named NYPL Pitcher of the Week Monday afternoon, Franyel Casadilla (L, 4-2) could not sustain the momentum that evening. The 21-year old was pounded for 10 of the 11 runs, surrendering eight hits and two walks plus two hit batsman in 4 2/3.  Three of the eight hits were long balls generating six runs.

Will Changarotty was touched for three hits and a walk in 1 1/3 for Batavia’s final score.  The righty also plunked a batter.  Troy Montemayor allowed a hit over the last two innings.

State College outhit the Muckdogs, 13 to 12, but generated only two extra-base hits to Batavia’s seven.  One of the hits to go for multi-bases was a double by Cameron Knight who went 3-for-4 with a run scored out of the eight hole.  Lars Nootbaar went yard for the second time, a two-run bomb that was one of his two hits in five at bats.  Edwin Figuera and Imeldo Diaz also had two hits apiece, with Figuera scoring two times with an RBI in five at bats while Diaz went 2-for-3 and knocked in one.

Tuesday’s game:  at fourth-place Batavia (33-36) (MIA), 7:05 pm ET, Eli Kraus (2-1, 2.27)

Kingsport 8 at Johnson City 6 (10 innings)

A Cardinals rally sent the game into extra innings only for the home club to fall to the Mets, 8-6, in 10.  The contest is the first of three versus Kingsport and Johnson City’s (29-37) final series of the season.

Jacob Sylvester took the loss, his second in four decisions, by allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits in his only inning on the bump.  Sylvester was the fifth Appy Bird hurler taking the mound, pitching in support of David Oca.

Oca, making his second start in 18 appearances, could not manuever around miscues in the first and fifth.  The lefty was charged with five runs, two earned, on seven hits over 4 1/3.  The last unearned run charged to him scored under Michael Brettell’s watch.  Brettell gave up a run on six hits with six outs recorded.

Evan Sisk limited further damage to Brettell’s line, issuing one base-on-balls and stranding two inherited runners in 2/3 of an inning.  Enrique Perez kept the Mets off the board during his two-inning stint, permitting two hits and a walk, before handing the ball off to Sylvester.

The JC-Cards’ 10-hit attack was paced by Leandro Cedeno, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two-run home run that was one of his two runs scored and two of his three RBI.  Donivan Williams and Dariel Gomez each had two hits, with Williams crossing home twice and Gomez driving in one.  Andrew Warner’s only hit in four at bats was his third home run with JC, which came with the bases clean.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. second-place Kingsport (33-33) (NYM), 7:00 pm ET, Kyle Leahy (3-3, 5.98)

GCL Cardinals 0 at GCL Tigers West 1

In the opener of their best-of-three semi-finals, the GCL Cardinals (0-1) pitched the Tigers West to a draw through eight frames – only to suffer a 1-0 walk-off loss.

The game’s sole tally resulted from two walks issued by Chris Rivera (L, 0-1) with two gone sandwiched around a steal of second.  Rivera then uncorked a wild pitch followed by a throwing error on catcher Ivan Herrera that allowed the lead runner to score.

Connor Coward went the first seven innings, limiting the opposition to three hits, a base-on-balls and a plunked batter while fanning five.  Rivera faced the minimum in the eighth.

The Gulf Birds managed just three hits, including two singles by designated hitter Carlos Soto in four at bats.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. GCL Tigers West (1-0), 11:00 am ET, Brian Pirela (0-0, —)

DSL Rangers1 3 at DSL Cardinals Blue 2

The C-Blue fell to the DSL Rangers1, 3-2, the first game of their best-of-three quarter-finals.

Errors turned out to be the difference with the Cardinals Blue’s three miscues leading to two unearned tallies while their opponents’ two bobbles resulted in only one unearned score.  The sole run charged to starter Francis Ventura in five innings was unearned due to a missed catch error by first baseman Malcom Nunez, the first of his two bobbles.  Ventura yielded three hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

But Nunez redeemed himself with a two-run double, driving in Darlin Moquete (ground-rule double) and Adanson Cruz (walk) to give the home team a 2-1 lead after five.  That lead evaporated the very next frame when a fielding error by right fielder Moquete allowed the leadoff batter to reach third.  A sac fly brought the runner across home, tying the score at two all.

Angel Cuenca (BS, 1) was charged with that score, spoiling a solid two-inning effort in which the righty, who turned 17 in July, did not allow a hit but issued two free passes.  Anthony Trompiz (L, 0-1) tossed a clean eighth but allowed a run on a single, sac bunt, intentional free pass, hit batsman and sac fly the next frame.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. DSL Rangers1 (1-0), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (7-1, 3.27)

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photo: Evan Kruczynski (Palm Beach Cardinals)

St. Louis’ minors scored a rare system sweep on Thursday with all eight teams in action coming out on top.  Starter Evan Kruzczynski’s strong effort led Springfield to victory while Ramon Mendoza’s big day at the plate was key in the DSL Cardinals Blue’s vital win.

Results from the games played Thursday, August 23^rd.

Memphis 5 at New Orleans 3

The Redbirds downed the Baby Cakes, 5-3, salvaging the third and final series game and halting a four-game losing skid.  Memphis (77-52) reduced its magic number for clinching the American Southern Division to three and host second-place Nashville (OAK) in their upcoming four-game series.

Patrick Wisdom was successful in his return to the Redbirds’ line-up after being optioned from St Louis.  The third baseman’s 15^th home run came with Ramon Urias (single) aboard and gave the visitors a 3-0 lead after three.  The bomb was Wisdom’s only hit in three at bats and one of the team’s nine hits overall.

Urias and Max Schrock each had two hits, with the first baseman singling twice in three at bats with a base-on-balls and two runs scored.  Schrock went 2-for-4 and touched home once.  Adolis Garcia got Memphis on the board with a solo shot, his 22^nd long ball.

Chris Ellis tossed four strong frames, blanking New Orleans (64-64) (MIA) on four hits and a free pass with eight strikeouts.  Tyler Webb worked around two fifth-inning singles but yielded a tally the next frame on a lead-off double and RBI single.

Giovanny Gallegos let Webb’s final runner score via a double and sac fly plus one of his own before the fifth closed.  It was the first time the righty has been scored upon in nine appearances for Memphis.  Gallegos fanned three.  Andrew Morales was credited with the win, his second in five decisions, after tossing two scoreless innings.

Friday’s game:  vs. second-place Nashville (68-61) (OAK), 7:05 pm CT, Kevin Herget (8-10, 4.49)

Springfield 4 at Northwest Arkansas 3 (11 innings)

It took 11 innings, but the S-Cards finally prevailed over the Naturals, 4-3.  Fourth-place Springfield (24-34) trails in the series, one game to two, and has an elimination number of four.

The visitors generated eight hits, with two apiece by Jeremy Martinez, Blake Drake and Andy Young.  Chris Chinea went yard with the bases empty, his only hit in four at bats, and scored the winning run on Martinez’ sac fly.  Springfield scored the first of three unearned runs in the ninth, knotting the game at two all to send it into extras.  Tommy Edman went 1-for-6 in his return from Memphis.

Co-Player of the Day Evan Kruczynski went seven innings for the fourth time in as many Springfield starts, holding the opposition scoreless on two hits and a walk through six before tiring.  The southpaw allowed two runs on a one-out walk, RBI double, single and sac fly in his final inning of work.

Derian Gonzalez held down the fort for two frames, giving up a hit and base-on-balls.  With the S-Cards taking a 3-2 lead in the 10^th, Gonzalez was in line for first Triple-A win but Seth Elledge was unable to prevent the home team from scoring.  Elledge (BS, 2) (W, 2-1) permitted a sac bunt and RBI single that re-tired the game at 3-3 but worked around an 11^th-inning base-on-balls to secure the victory.

Friday’s game:  at third-place Northwest Arkansas (28-30) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Genesis Cabrera (0-2, 4.50)

Palm Beach 6 vs. Fort Myers 1

Michael Wacha took a big step forward in his rehab as the Beach Birds flew past the Miracle, 6-1, in the decisive third game of the series.  The victory allowed third-place Palm Beach (30-29) to keep pace with Charlotte (TB), which they trail by 5 ½ in the South Division standings.

Making his second rehab start, Wacha limited second-place Fort Myers (34-25) (MIN) to a first-inning single, striking out four over 3 2/3.  The right-hander threw 32 of his 49 pitches for strikes. Ian Oxnevad (W, 6-6) handled the pitching duties the rest of the way, yielding a home run that was one of his seven hits and a base-on-balls allowed in 5 1/3.

The PB-Cards banged out nine hits with three players having two apiece:  Kramer Robertson, Elehuris Montero and Conner Capel.  Robertson singled and doubled in five at bats and joined both Montero and Caple by touching home once.  Montero and Capel both went 2-for-3 with a walk, with the latter doubling.

Dylan Carlson and Ryan McCarvel garnered two RBI each. Carlson went yard for the ninth time with a sac fly. McCarvel’s single knocked in Capel for the team’s initial tally and his bases-loaded walk capped a four-run fifth.  Defensively, Montero was charged with his sixth miscue in 15 games with Palm Beach, a second-inning throwing error Wacha worked around.

Friday’s game:  vs. fourth-place Jupiter (26-30) (MIA), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 4 at Kane County 3

Julio Rodriguez’ three-run bomb lifted the Chiefs past the Cougars, 4-3, in the road series finale and stopped a four-game losing streak.  Peoria (33-25) remains tied for second with Quad Cities (HOU), three games behind Cedar Rapids (MIN).

The home run was Rodriguez’ only hit in four at bats and was launched with Luken Baker (walk) and Zach Kirtley (walk) aboard in the eighth.  The team had nine hits in all with Rayder Ascanio going 2-for-4 as the only Chief with a multi-hit performance.  Unfortunately, both of Ascanio’s hits came to naught as the shortstop was picked off and caught stealing.  Defensively, right fielder Brandon Benson was credited with an outfield assist at third.

Starter Jake Dahlberg (W, 4-1) was the pitcher of record when Rodriguez blasted one out.  The lefty was touched for three runs on eight hits and two walks through seven.  Dahlberg has gone at least seven innings in three of his five Peoria starts.

Ben Yokley bounced back from a sub-par appearance against fourth-place Kane County (33-26) (ARI) on Tuesday, tossing a one-two-three eighth.  Kodi Whitley pitched around a lead-off ground-rule double for his ninth save.

Friday’s games:   doubleheader vs. fifth-place Beloit (32-26) (OAK).  Johan Oviedo (9-9, 4.53)/Alvaro Seijas (5-7, 4.28)

State College 3 vs. Auburn 2

Alexis Wilson singled and scored the winning tally as the Spikes walked off with a 3-2 victory over the Doubledays in the home series opener.  It was the fifth straight loss for second-place Auburn while third-place State College (33-32) has gone 8-2 over their last 10 games and is just 3 ½ games behind Mahoning Valley (CLE) in the Pinckney Division standings.

Wilson’s hit, his only one in four at bats, was generated with one gone in the ninth.  The catcher advanced to third via Imeldo Diaz’ second double of the game and scored on a wild pitch.

Diaz was one of three Spikes with two of the squad’s nine hits, along with Stanley Espinal and Lars Nootbar.  All three went 2-for-4, Espinal crossing home once and Nootbar driving in one.  Left fielder Jonatan Machado was hitless in four at bats in his New York-Penn League debut.

A quartet of State College pitchers combined to hold the league’s second-best offense to two runs on a combined seven hits and two free passes.  Strikeouts were key, beginning with Eli Kraus who fanned eight in 5 1/3, yielding a run on four hits.

Will Changarotty added a K to the team total during his 1 2/3-inning stint and left his inherited runner on base.  Cory Malcom (BS, 1) fanned two during his inning on the bump but was touched for a tally on two hits.  Kevin Hamann (W, 1-1) loaded the bases on a single, intentional free pass and another base-on-balls then pitched out of it.

Friday’s game:  vs. second-place Auburn (35-30) (WSH), 7:05 pm ET, Chris Holba (3-2, 2.66)

Johnson City 10 vs. Burlington 8

The JC-Cards exploded for 14 hits in their 10-8 win over Burlington (21-41) (KC) in the series finale.  The victory prevented a sweep by the Royals and stopped the Appy Birds’ four-game losing streak.  Johnson City (27-35) is tied for fourth with Greeneville (CIN), facing an elimination number of two.

The visitors’ offense was led by three players with three hits apiece:  Donivan Williams, Michael Perri and Sanel Rosendo.  Both Williams and Perri, the one and two hitters, took part in three scores by crossing home twice with an RBI.  Williams doubled once in six at bats while Perri went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and stolen base.

Nearly bookending the pair in the batting order was the number eight hitter Rosendo, who went 3-for-5 with his first triple and touched home once.  Andrew Warner had a very productive night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and two knocked in.  Liam Sabino was the final Appy Bird with more than one hit.  The first baseman singled and doubled in five at bats with two RBI.

The offense clearly carried their team to victory since all three JC-Card hurlers were scored upon.  Colin Schmid tossed the initial six innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman.

David Oca (W, 2-6) was the pitcher of record when Johnson City put up a five spot in the home half of the seventh. The southpaw threw two scoreless frames before being tagged for two ninth-inning runs.   His last runner scored under Parker Kelly’s watch as the righty yielded a tally of his own on a walk and two-run single before recording the final two outs.

Friday’s game:  at fourth-place Greeneville (27-35) (CIN), 7:00 pm ET, Dionis Zamora (1-3, 4.53)

GCL Cardinals 3 vs. GCL Astros 2

The Gulf Birds capitalized on a fielding error and passed ball to edge the second-place Astros, 3-2, for their sixth win in a row.  With only two games remaining in the regular season, the East Division Champion Cardinals (38-16) look towards the postseason.  As holders of the best record in the Gulf Coast League, the Cardinals will face the Phillies East (30-23), the Northeast Division Champions and holders of the league’s lowest record, in a one game semi-final with the winner to meet the winner of the GCL Tigers West/GCL Red Sox match up.

The home team was outhit, seven to five, but two came in their two-run fifth that provided the winning margin.  Kevin Vargas beat out an infield single to short and advanced to second when a fielding error by the Astros’ first baseman allowed Diomedes Del Rio to reach.  A free pass issued to Zack Gahagan jammed the sacks full, putting Vargas in position to score on a passed ball.  Mateo Gil’s two-out single up the middle brought Del Rio across home but the inning ended when Gahagan was nailed at home.

Del Rio and Gahagan combined on the Gulf Birds’ first tally.  The left fielder doubled to right with one gone in the third and scored easily after Gahagan singled to right.

Brian Pirela (W, 10-0) tossed five strong frames, permitting a single score on three hits and two walks.  The righty also executed a key pick off at first the proved to prevent another run from scoring.

Freddy Pacheco and Griffin Roberts split pitching duties for the final four innings right down the middle.  Pacheco yielded a tally on three hits and a walk while Roberts navigated around a hit and plunked batter for his first professional save.

Friday’s game:  at third-place GCL Marlins (24-30), 12:00 pm ET, Francisco Justo (0-1, 4.94)

DSL Cardinals Blue 15 at DSL Rockies 3

Ramon Mendoza’s four-hit performance led the C-Blue to a 15-3 pasting of the Rockies (22-48).  The first-place Cardinals Blue’s (50-20) postseason hopes come down to the final two games of the season, both against the second-place Twins, which they lead by a game in the South Division standings.  The C-Blue need just one more win to clinch the division title.

Mendoza, our co-Player of the Day, finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 4-for-6 with a double and two-run home run, scored three times and drove in three.  Malcom Nunez and Diowill Burgos both went yard as well, Nunez’ blast occurring with Adanson Cruz (double) aboard and Burgos’ coming with Freddy De Jesus (double) and Mendoza (single) on base.  Nunez added a single to his bomb in four at bats, touched home twice, knocked in two and stole a base while Burgos went 2-for-5 with his home run accounting for one of his four RBI.

Cruz had three of his squad’s 19 hits, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, four runs scored and one driven in while swiping his 11^th bag of 2018.  Darlin Moquete and De Jesus each went 2-for-6 with two runs scored. Moquete doubled once with two stolen bases and De Jesus hit two two-baggers.  Defensively, right fielder Moquete was credited with an outfield assist at second.

Enmanuel Solano (W, 7-1) tossed a solid six-inning effort, permitting three runs, two earned, on seven hits and a free pass with nine strikeouts.  Angel Cuenca, pitching for just two second time in nearly a month, tossed a one-two three seventh.  The righty, who turned 17 last month, struck out one.  Josue Ramirez worked around two walks for a scoreless eighth before Luis Tena handled the ninth.

Friday’s game:  at DSL Twins (49-21), 10:30 am ET, Hector Soto (6-5, 2.73)

DSL Cardinals Red – off

August 23^rd was originally slated as a C-Red home game versus the DSL Brewers.  Said contest was moved, without prior notice, to an August 22^nd double header.  Both teams have been eliminated from post-season contention.

Friday’s game:  DSL Cardinals Red (38-31) vs. DSL Cubs2 (27-42), 10:30 am ET, Luis Ortiz (2-4, 6.04)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2018 Week 20

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photo: Stefan Trosclair (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-6. Player of the Day and reigning Florida State League Player of the Week Stefan Trosclair was on base four times, including a triple, scored and plated two in Palm Beach’s win.

Results from the games played Tuesday, August 21^st.

Memphis 0 at New Orleans 5

The Redbirds opened their three-game road series versus the Baby Cakes with a 5-0 defeat.  Thanks to a loss by second-place Nashville (OAK), first-place Memphis’ (76-51) magic number to clinch the American Southern Division title was still reduced to five.

Facing New Orleans for the second straight start, Tyler Lyons (L, 0-1) improved a tad from his prior outing in which he yielded two runs in 3 1/3.  This time out all tallies charged to the lefty over 5 1/3 resulted from one three-run home run.  The bomb was one of three hits and one walk allowed to go with five strikeouts.

Landon Beck retired the sixth’s final two batters, stranding an inherited runner but rehabbing Dominic Leone was touched for a run on three hits in the seventh.  Andrew Morales allowed a triple and sac fly in his inning of work.

The visitors’ offense was limited to six hits, two each by Wilfredo Tovar and Adolis Garcia.  Tovar singled and doubled in three at bats while Garcia went 2-for-4, but unsuccessful in his only stolen base attempt.  Right fielder Garcia was credited with an outfield assist at third.

Wednesday’s game:  at New Orleans (63-63) (MIA), 7:00 pm CT, Jake Woodford (4-3, 4.13)

Springfield 1 at Northwest Arkansas 4

Fourth/last-place Springfield (23-33) kicked off its four-game set at third-place Northwest Arkansas with a 4-1 loss.

Matt Pearce is still looking for his first Double-A win of 2018 after absorbing his sixth loss in as many decisions.  The 24-year-old yielded four runs, three earned, on four hits and a base-on-balls through five.  Two of the four tallies were generated by a home run.  Elniery Garcia, Junior Fernandez and Seth Elledge each tossed a clean frame, with Garcia and Elledge giving up one hit.

Springfield’s entire offense consisted of three singles, two by Johan Mieses, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored.  John Nogowski’s RBI single in the ninth spolied the Naturals’ shutout bid.

Wednesday’s game:  at Northwest Arkansas (27-29) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Casey Meisner (1-1, 3.24)

Palm Beach 6 vs. Fort Myers 4

The Beach Birds rallied for a 6-4 win over the Miracle in the series opener at Roger Dean.  Third-place Palm Beach (29-28) moved to within 4 ½ games of first-place Charlotte (TB) with the victory.

Down 4-1 at the sixth’s midpoint, the home team pushed across two runs each in the sixth and eighth plus a single seventh-inning score.  Player of the Day Stefan Trosclair had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with his fourth triple, a run scored and two RBI.  The reigning Florida State League Player of the Week was plunked once as well.  Justin Toerner also had three hits including a double, run scored and one driven in.

The final PB-Card with a multi-hit performance was Dylan Carlson, who singled and doubled in four at bats, worked a free pass and touched home twice.  Three players had one hit apiece.

Will Latcham tossed a clean eighth in his return to Palm Beach from Springfield, picking up his fourth win against three losses.  Bryan Dobzanski faced the minimum for his third save.

Evan Guillory pitched the initial six innings, permitting four runs, three earned, on five hits.  Jacob Patterson struck out the side in the seventh.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. second-place Fort Myers (33-24) (MIN), 6:30 pm ET, Ian Oxnevad (5-6, 5.10)

Peoria 1 at Kane County 11

The Chiefs were mauled by the Cougars on Tuesday, 11-1, in the first of three at Kane County. Peoria (32-24) drops into a second-place tie with Quad Cities (HOU), three games behind Cedar Rapids (MIN).

Zach Prendergast (L, 6-3) allowed two runs on six hits and a free pass over four.  But the most damage came off Ben Yokley and Fabian Blanco in the next two frames.  Yokley was charged with four tallies on two hits and two walks in just 2/3 of an inning.  Blanco recorded the fifth’s last out but did not retire any of the five batters faced the next frame.  All of them came around to score, the final two with Patrick Dayton on the mound.

Dayton tossed two innings, permitting two hits and joining Blanco by hitting a batter.  Kodi Whitley tossed a clean eighth.

Two of the Chiefs’ four hits came in the fourth and led to their sole score.  Rayder Ascanio opened with a single, his only hit in four at bats, then advanced to third on a double by Nolan Gorman.  Luken Baker ground out to first, bringing Ascanio home.

Wednesday’s game:  at fourth-place Kane County (32-25) (ARI), 6:30 pm CT, Angel Rondon (3-1, 2.22)

State College 1 at Williamsport 8

Jacob Schlesener’s poorest outing of 2018 led to the Spikes’ 8-1 defeat by the Crosscutters.  State College (31-32) hold a two-games-to-one series lead with one remaining.

Schlesener (L, 2-4) yielded a season-high five runs on seven hits and three walks in five.  One of the seven hits was a two-run long ball in the lefty’s final inning of work.

Troy Montemayor tossed two frames, giving up three runs on five hits.  Hector Villalobos allowed a hit in the eighth.

State College mustered just four hits – three singles and a home run by Wadye Infante.

Wednesday’s game:  at Williamsport (26-36) (PHI), 7:05 pm ET, Franyel Casadilla (3-1, 1.84)

Burlington 13 at Johnson City 5

Six late tallies broke open a fairly competitive game as the JC-Cards were defeated by the Royals, 13-5, in the home series opener.  Johnson City (26-34) remains tied with Greeneville (CIN) for the cellar spot in the West Division.

All three Appy Bird pitchers were scored upon, beginning with Cole Aker (L, 2-2), who was charged with six runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 2/3.  Junior Gonzalez went 2 2/3, permitting two tallies on four hits and a base-on-balls.  Juan Alvarez allowed five runs on six hits, including a three-run home run, and two walks over 1 2/3.

Johnson City banged out 12 hits, with five players garnering two hits apiece:  Leandro Cedeno, Liam Sabino, Zach Jackson, Donivan Williams and Luis Flores.  Cedeno’s solo shot was his 11^th home run of the season, while Sabino doubled twice in three at bats with a free pass and two RBI.  Jackson doubled, scored twice and knocked in one.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Burlington (20-40) (KC), 7:00 pm ET, Kyle Leahy (3-2, 5.21)

GCL Cardinals 10 at GCL Mets 1

The Gulf Cardinals exploded for 16 hits to overwhelm the Mets, 10-1, for their fifth consecutive victory.  The East Division Champion Cardinals (37-16) boast a .698 winning percentage, which is the best in the Gulf Coast League and would give them post-season home field advantage.

Seven Gulf Birds generated multi-hit performances. Jhon Torres went 3-for-5 with a run batted in.  One of the two hits each by Diomedes Del Rio, Terry Fuller and William Jimenez was a home run. Del Rio and Fuller did it with the bases clean and Jimenez brought home three.  Cole Kreuter, Mateo Gil and Zack Gahagan had two hits apiece.

Perry DellaValle fanned five over the first four innings, giving up a hit and base-on-balls.  Rodard Avelino (W, 1-0) and Wilfredo Pereira pitched two innings each. Avelino allowed a run on two hits and a free pass while Pereira yielded four hits and a walk.  Edgar Escobar tossed a scoreless ninth.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals Blue 6 vs. DSL Yankees 5 (10 innings)

The C-Blue slipped past the DSL Yankees, 6-5, for a walk-off win in 10.  The Cardinals Blue (48-20) remain tied for first with the Twins with four games to go in the regular season.

Diowill Burgos began the home half of the 10^th on second and was sacrificed to third by Pablo Guzman.  Burgos remained at third while Jose Zapata grounded out, 6-3, but capitalized on a passed ball to race home for the victory.

Darlin Moquete led the 10-hit effort, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and two driven in.  Malcom Nunez and Pablo Gomez each went 2-for-4, with Nunez adding a walk and two-run long ball, his third in as many games and 11^th of the season, while Gomez crossed home once.

Francis Ventura tossed six solid innings, permitting three runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.  Ramon Fernandez (BS, 1) was unable to navigate the seventh successfully, giving up a run on a hit and two free passes in just 2/3 of an inning.

Anthony Trompiz limited the damage by leaving Fernandez’ last two runners on base.  The 20-year-old retired six batters, yielding an unearned score on a hit and walk.  Leonardo Taveras (W, 5-1) recorded four outs, all on strikeouts, and issued one free pass.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Rockies (22-46), 10:30 am ET, Inohan Paniagua (3-3, 3.93)

DSL Cardinals Red 1 at DSL Rangers2 11

The DSL Cardinals Red (37-30) took one on the chin, falling to the division champion DSL Rangers2, 11-1.

Starter Martin Cordova (L, 7-2) tossed a one-two-three first but exited after surrendering five runs on five hits and a plunked batter with just one batter retired the next frame.  Hector De Los Santos allowed three runs on a hit and four free passes over the next three innings but stranded his only inherited runner.

Two of the three tallies charged to De Los Santos scored with Gustavo J. Rodriguez on the mound.  Rodriguez gave up a hit and walk in 2 2/3 innings before giving way to Dionys Rodriguez.  The latter Rodriguez served up a three-run home run in the eighth.

The Cardinals Red’s sole tally resulted from Joerlin De Los Santos’ lead-off single followed by a two fielding errors sandwiched around a ground out.  All five of the C-Red hits were singles generated by five different players.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Brewers (38-29), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Connor Coward (Virginia Tech University)

On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 5-3. Player of the Day Connor Coward extended his scoreless inning streak to 16 for the playoff-bound Gulf Coast League Cards. Other standout performers include Nolan Gorman, Jacob Schlesener, Michael Baird, Ivan Herrera, Julio Puello and Jose Moreno.

Results from the games played Monday, August 20^th.

Memphis – off

In taking Monday off, the Redbirds look to regroup after losing the third of their last four series, including back-to-back home series losses to third-place New Orleans (MIA) and last-place Round Rock (TEX).  First-place Memphis (76-50) leads Nashville (67-59) by nine in the American Southern Division standings and have a magic number of six to clinch the division title.

Tuesday’s game:  at New Orleans (62-63), 7:00 pm CT, Tyler Lyons (0-0, 2.45)

Springfield – off

Last-place Springfield (23-32) embarks on their final road trip of 2018, a seven-game excursion through division rivals Northwest Arkansas (KC) and Tulsa (LAD).

Tuesday’s game:  at third-place Northwest Arkansas (26-29), 7:05 pm CT, TBA

Palm Beach – off

The postseason-bound Beach Birds, winners of the first-half South Division title, enjoy their last day off of the 2018 regular season before heading into the schedule’s final 13 games.  Third-place Palm Beach (28-28) is 5 ½ games behind Charlotte (TB) in the second-half standings.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. second-place Fort Myers (33-23) (MIN), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 5 at Quad Cities 6

The Chiefs were edged by the River Bandits, 6-5, in the rubber game of the three-game series.  Back-to-back one-run losses have dropped Peoria (32-23) into second place in the Western Division standings, two games in back of Cedar Rapids (MIN).

Paul Balestrieri got the start in his return from the 7-day disabled list, and the right-hander permitted five scores, three earned, on seven hits and a walk over four-plus innings.  Three of the five tallies came off a fifth-inning long ball that drove Balestrieri from the game.

Robbie Gordon (L, 1-1) struck out seven in three frames but surrendered a solo shot that proved to be the difference in the game.  It was the righty’s only hit permitted.  Thomas St. Clair faced the minimum in the eighth.

Peoria managed just five hits, led by Nolan Gorman who went yard twice and accounted for three of his team’s tallies.  Gorman’s two-run bomb gave the Chiefs a 2-0 advantage after three and his solo home run comprised one of the team’s three-run sixth that briefly tied the game at five all.  The third baseman added a base-on-balls to his 2-for-3 performance.  Second baseman Nick Dunn went 1-for-4 in his full season debut.

Tuesday’s game:  at fifth-place Kane County (31-25) (ARI), 6:30 pm CT, TBA

State College 3 vs. Williamsport 0 – Game 1       
State College 5 vs. Williamsport 4 (8) – Game 2

The Spikes swept a pair from the Crosscutters, 3-0 in regulation and 5-4 in eight, extending their winning streak to five games.  State College (31-31) has risen to third in the Pinckney Division standings, four games behind Auburn (WSH).

The home team rode a three-run first to victory in Game 1, which completed an August 16^th game suspended after four frames with State College up 3-0.  Nick Dunn put his team up 1-0 on his third home run followed by Kevin Woodall’s double scoring Brady Whalen (walk) and advancing Stanley Espinal (single) to third.  Espinal subsequently scored on Alexis Wilson’s 6-3 ground out.

The double was the first of two for Woodall in four at bats while Espinal’s single was his only hit in four at bats.  Delvin Perez and Dunn both went 1-for-2 to complete their squad’s five hits.

Jacob Schlesener struck out 10 but fell an inning shy of qualifying for the win before play was halted on the 16^th.  The right-hander limited Williamsport to just two hits and a base-on-balls through four and threw two wild pitches.

Michael Baird (W, 2-2) took the ball when play resumed on Monday and blanked his opponents on three hits and a walk during his four frames on the bump.  Kevin Hamann worked around a lead-off walk for his eighth save.

State College won in a walk off in the finale as Whalen’s pinch hit single drove in Espinal, who began the eighth on second.  Edwin Figuera and Delvin Perez were the only Spikes with more than one of the team’s seven hits, Figuera going 2-for-3 with a walk, double and triple plus one driven in out of the two hole.  Perez singled twice in three at bats with a run scored and RBI while batting seventh.  Defensively, each team committed two bobbles resulting in three unearned tallies for the Spikes.

Diego Cordero allowed six hits over 5 2/3, resulting in three runs.  Cordero struck out five and did not issue a free pass.  His last run scored with Winston Nicacio (BS, 1) (W, 3-2) on the mound, who served up a two-run long ball knotting the game at 4-4 after six.

Tuesday’s game:  at fifth-place Williamsport (25-36) (PHI), 7:05 pm ET, Jacob Schlesener (2-3, 3.09)

Johnson City 6 at Elizabethton 8 (7) – Game 1    
Johnson City 2 at Elizabethton 3 – Game 2

The JC-Cards lost both ends of a twin bill, 8-6 in seven innings followed by a 3-2 walk-off loss in nine.  Johnson City (26-33) falls into a tie for third with Greeneville (CIN), seven games in back of Elizabethton (32-25) (MIN).

Starter Chris Hunt’s (L, 0-1) maiden Appalachian League effort did not go swimmingly as the righty was knocked out of the game after just 3 2/3 frames.  Hunt yielded seven runs on 10 hits and a walk.  Parker Kelly gave up a run during his 2 1/3-inning stint.

The Appy Birds banged out 10 hits, paced by Sanel Rosendo, who went 3-for-4 with one of the team’s three doubles and two runs scored.  Zach Jackson launched a solo blast that was one of his two hits in three at bats with a base-on-balls.  Leandro Cedeno also went 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI.

The second contest completed a June 25^th game that was postponed due to rain.  Michael Brettell went the initial four innings, permitting a run on four hits and a free pass while striking out six.  Evan Sisk tossed two frames, allowing a run on two hits and a walk. David Oca (L, 1-6) fanned four in 2 2/3 but yielded an unearned run on two hits and three walks for the walk-off loss.

The JC-Cards’ eight hits were disbursed among six players.  Liam Sabino singled and doubled in three at bats with a walk and touched home once.  The only other player with more than one hit was Cedeno, who went 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls and one knocked in.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Burlington (19-40) (KC), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 6 at GCL Nationals 0

The Gulf Birds blanked the Gulf Nationals, 6-0, for their fourth win in a row.  The GCL Cardinals (36-16) were the first team to clinch their division title and await the results of the other three divisions which are all still in contention.

The visitors maximized their opportunities to transform eight hits and two walks into six runs, five earned.  Ivan Herrera reached base three times and took part in four runs, going 2-for-4 with a triple, three runs scored and one knocked in.  Mateo Gil also went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Connor Coward (W, 4-0) continues to dominate his Gulf Coast League opponents, tossing his third straight start of five shutout innings and extending his scoreless inning streak to 16.  This time, the 22-year-old held the GCL Nationals (22-29) to four hits with six K’s.  Coward’s six most recent efforts have been starts, out of 10 2018 appearances, and the righty has gone five innings each time out with one or fewer tallies permitted for a 0.88 ERA and 0.73 WHIP.

Three relievers tossed the last four innings:  Ty Cohen, Griffin Roberts and Wilberto Rivera.  Cohen allowed a hit and walk during his two innings on the bump before Roberts pitched a one-two-three eighth.  The only batter to reach against Rivera was via a hit-by-pitch.

Tuesday’s game: at GCL Mets (23-28), 10:00 am ET, Perry DellaValle (0-2, 2.16)

DSL Cardinals Blue 14 at DSL Yankees 3

The C-Blue banged out 19 hits on their way to a 14-3 pasting of the DSL Yankees.  The victory kept the Cardinals Blue (47-20) tied for first with the Twins, which have won four straight.  Five games remain in the regular season with the two squads facing off in the season’s final two contests.

Right fielder Darlin Moquete and shortstop Darlyn Del Villar led the effort with each player going 4-for-6 including a double.  Moquete accounted for five tallies – three scored and two driven in along with his 19^th stolen base while Del Villar was less productive since the three batters following him went a combined 2-for-15.  The shortstop touched home once with two RBI.

Three of the visitors’ scores resulted from two long balls, one each by Ramon Mendoza and Malcom Nunez.  Nunez opened the fifth with his 10^th home run and Mendoza followed two batters later with his second blast.  It came with Freddy De Jesus (walk) aboard and was one of Mendoza’s three hits in five at bats.  The third baseman added a base-on-balls and double to his home run, crossed home twice and knocked in five to account for six scores.  Nunez was one of three C-Blue players to go 2-for-4, along with centerfielder Adanson Cruz and designated hitter De Jesus.

Julio Puello (W, 7-0) was a strikeout machine on the mound, as the right-hander fanned 12 over six frames.  Puello held the opposition to two runs on five hits and a free pass.  Angel Ortega struck out five in two innings, yielding a run on two hits and a walk before Larimel Soriano faced the minimum in the ninth.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. sixth-place DSL Yankees (26-40), 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (4-2, 3.57)

DSL Cardinals Red 5 vs. DSL Rangers2 3

Jose Moreno celebrated his 18^th birthday by striking out 11 in seven frames as the C-Red topped the division-winning DSL Rangers2, 5-3.  It was the fourth win in their last five games for the Cardinals Red (37-29), which are in third place in the San Pedro Division standings.

Moreno limited the Rangers2 to six hits resulting in two tallies, his third consecutive start with at least five innings pitched and two or fewer runs allowed.  The now 18-year-old left with his team up 3-2 and was in line for his fourth win in nine decisions – before a lapse by reliever Sebastian Tabata erased both the lead and Moreno’s fourth win.

Tabata (BS, 2) (W, 4-1) gave up the tying score in the eighth on a two-out walk, stolen base and two wild pitches sandwiched around another base-on-balls.  The Venezuelan struck out the side in the ninth, working around another free pass and passed ball.

The C-Red did not allow the tie to stand for long, scoring twice in the home half of the frame.  Francisco Hernandez doubled home Cristhian Longa (walk) for the go-ahead tally before Hernandez scored his team’s final run on a single by Alexander Samuel.

The home team managed eight hits with Joerlin De Los Santos and Hernandez both going 2-for-4.  De Los Santos doubled twice at the top of the order, touching home once and stealing his 26^th and 27^th bases while Hernandez drove in two and scored one.

Tuesday’s game: at first-place DSL Rangers2 (47-20), 10:30 am ET, Ludwin Jimenez (4-3, 3.64)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Gulf Coast League Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 9

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photo: Moises Castillo (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Strong performances by starter Cole Aker and shortstop Moises Castillo led Johnson City to a split of their Thursday twin bill as the system went 6-3.  Other top performers include Alvaro Seijas, Inohan Paniagua and Joerlin De Los Santos.

Results from the games played Thursday, August 16^th.

Memphis 3 vs. New Orleans 2

The Redbirds salvaged the fourth and final game of their series versus New Orleans, 3-2, to prevent a four-game sweep by the visiting third-place Baby Cakes (60-62) (MIA).  This win by Memphis (75-48) combined with second-place Nashville’s loss, gives the Redbirds a nine-game lead in the American Southern Division.

All of the home team’s runs were generated by Lane Thomas’ third-inning home run.  The center fielder went yard with Randy Arozarena (double) and Tommy Edman (walk) aboard.  The Redbirds were held to just four hits overall.

Tyler Lyons went 3 1/3 innings in his second start since being outrighted from St Louis.  The lefty was touched for two runs on two hits and three walks.

Chris Ellis was credited with the win, his fifth against four losses, striking out five over 3 2/3 with two hits permitted.  Tyler Webb tossed a one-two-three eighth in his return to Memphis before Andrew Morales duplicated Webb’s success for his sixth save.

Friday’s game:  vs. last-place Round Rock (55-68) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Jake Woodford (3-3, 4.17)

Springfield vs. San Antonio – cancelled

Springfield (21-31) and San Antonio (25-25) (SD) were unable to get in their series finale due to rain.  Since this is the last time the two teams are scheduled to meet during the regular season, the contest will not be made up.  The last-place S-Cards did not win either of the first two games.

Friday’s game:  vs. Corpus Christi (32-20) (HOU), 7:10 pm CT, Genesis Cabrera (7-7, 4.22)

Tampa 10 at Palm Beach 6

A six-run ninth against the leaky PB-Cards’ bullpen turned a 6-4 victory into a 10-6 home loss to Tampa (24-29) (NYY), and halted the Beach Birds’ five-game winning streak.  Palm Beach (27-26) claimed the series, three games to one, and is in third place, five games behind Fort Myers (MIN).

Yeison Medina (L, 3-4) and John Kilichowski (BS, 1) both wore the ninth-inning horns, with each pitcher giving up three runs. Medina recorded the eighth’s final two outs but did not retire any of the three faced the next inning.  All three came around to score under Kilichowski.

Adam Wainwright made his second rehab start for Palm Beach and faced the minimum during his two-inning stint.  The veteran struck out three and threw 31 pitches, 19 for strikes.

Regular starter Evan Guillory took over for Wainwright in the fourth and proceeded to hold the Yankees to two runs on three hits and two walks over the next five innings.  Jacob Patterson was charged with two runs on two hits in 1/3 of an inning, as both runners scored with Medina on the mound.

Palm Beach banged out 12 hits, paced by Dylan Carlson who went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI.  Elehuris Montero and Jose Godoy had two hits apiece. Montero went 2-for-4 with a walk, double and run scored while Godoy singled and doubled in three at bats with a base-on-balls and two knocked in.

Friday’s game:  at second-place Charlotte (31-21) (TB), 6:35 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 4 at Cedar Rapids 2 – Game 1
Peoria 0 at Cedar Rapids 4 (7) – Game 2

The Chiefs split a road double header versus the Kernels, claiming the nine-inning opener, 4-2, but dropping the finale, 4-0, in seven.  Peoria (31-20) and Cedar Rapids remain tied atop the Western Division, two games in front of both Beloit (OAK) and Quad Cities (HOU).

The opener completed Wednesday’s contest that was suspended due to rain with one gone in the home half of the first.  Zach Prendergast had retired one batter with runners at first and second on back-to-back singles.

Alvaro Seijas (W, 5-7) took the mound when play resumed on Thursday and proceeded to blank the opposition on six hits and three walks over 6 2/3.  Seijas yielded a first-inning double that brought one of Prendergast’s two runners across.  He also hit a batter.

Robbie Gordon recorded one out, giving up an unearned run on a hit and base-on-balls.  Patrick Dayton retired all five batters faced, permitting an RBI ground out that allowed one of Gordon’s two runners to score.

Held scoreless through seven innings, the visitors broke through in the eighth, pushing across four tallies.  Julio Rodriguez’ RBI single drove in Nick Plummer (single) before Brandon Benson’s fourth double knocked in Luken Baker (walk).  Rayder Ascanio’s two-run single capped the scoring as both Rodriguez and Benson scampered home.  Center fielder Brandon Riley was hitless in three at bats in his full-season debut after leaping from Rookie League Johnson City.

Game 2 was designated as a bullpen game, and the reliever-turned-starter scuffled. The Kernels jumped all over Thomas St. Clair in his first start in 39 appearances this season.  St Clair (L, 2-4) was charged with all four scores, yielding four hits and three free passes in one plus innings.

Ben Yokley tossed three clean frames, stranding an inherited runner.  C.J. Saylor and Kodi Whitley each pitched a one-two-three inning.

At the plate, Peoria matched their hosts’ five hits but all of theirs were singles and they could not break through on the scoreboard.  Riley went 1-for-2 with a walk for his first Class-A hit.

Friday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids (32-21) (MIN), 6:35 pm CT, Angel Rondon (3-0, 2.29)

State College vs. Williamsport – suspended

The second game of a brief two-game set between the Spikes and Crosscutters (24-32) was suspended due to lightning with the Spikes up 3-0 through four.  The contest is scheduled to be completed as part of a double-header on Monday, August 20^th.  State College (26-31) sits in third place in the Pinckney Division and trail first-place Auburn (WSH) by seven games in the standings.

Friday’s game:  at second-place Mahoning Valley (32-25) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET, Franyel Casadilla (2-1, 1.95)

Johnson City 3 at Princeton 2 (7) – Game 1      
Johnson City 3 at Princeton 8 (7) – Game 2

The JC-Cards split the first of consecutive twin bills at Princeton, claiming Game, 3-2, but falling 8-3 in the second contest.  Johnson City (24-28) languishes in fourth place in the West Division standings, 5 1/2 games behind Elizabethton (MIN).

Offense was hard to come by in the opener as the two teams combined for just nine hits.  Moises Castillo and Luis Flores each had two of their squad’s five hits. Castillo – our co-Player of the Day – blasted a solo bomb comprising one of his two runs scored. Flores was caught stealing both times he reached base, one time just before Castillo’s bomb.

Co-Player of the Day Cole Aker (W, 2-1) was impressive over the first six frames, limiting the opposition to a single score on two hits and three walks.  Parker Kelly picked up his third save despite allowing a run on two hits.

Both the offense and pitching was a tad more lopsided in Game 2 with Johnson City coming out on the wrong end in both categories.  Two of their three scores came off the bat of shortstop Castillo who went yard for the second straight game but just the third time this season.  The long ball came with Flores (single) on base, as the center fielder garnered one of just four Appy Bird hits.  Defensively, Castillo was one of three JC-Cards committing a miscue.

In a bullpen game, two relievers split the six innings pitched:  David Oca and Junior Gonzalez.  Oca (L, 1-5) fanned five in three frames, yielding two runs, one earned, on three hits and a walk.  But Gonzalez was banged around for six tallies, four earned, on 10 hits including a two-run home run.

Friday’s games:  at first-place (East Division) Princeton (38-18) (TB).  Game 1 – 5:00 pm ET, Kyle Leahy (2-2, 5.23)/TBA

GCL Cardinals 5 vs. GCL Mets 2

The Gulf Birds edged closer to claiming the East Division title with a 5-2 victory over the Mets (22-27).  The Cardinals (33-16) lead the Astros by seven games in the standings with a magic number of one to clinch.

The home team generated seven hits and capitalized on two Mets miscues to score three unearned tallies.  Seven Gulf Cardinals had one hit apiece, with the biggest hit by Jhon Torres, who launched a two-run bomb with Terry Fuller (walk) aboard to give his squad a 2-0 lead after one.

In the fourth, Diomedes Del Rio smashed a triple that plated Carlos Soto (fielding error) and Josh Shaw (hit-by-pitch).  Del Rio scored on the play due to a throwing error by the Mets’ second baseman.

Making his first start after eight relief appearances, Freddy Pacheco struck out six during his three scoreless frames on the bump, giving up a hit and walk.  Regular starter Wilfredo Pereira (W, 3-4) tossed the next four innings, yielding two hits.

But the GCL Cardinals’ shutout bid ended in the eighth when Chris Rivera was charged with two tallies on three hits.  Edgar Escobar tossed a one-two-three ninth for his eighth save.

Friday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals Blue 10 at DSL Nationals 3

The C-Blue donned their hitting shoes and trounced the Nationals (31-33), 10-3.  The Cardinals (45-19) lead the South Division by one game over the Twins with eight games remaining in the regular season.

The visitors’ 13-hit attack was led by Malcom Nunez, who went 3-for-4 with a base-on-balls, double, run scored and two RBI.  Three C-Blue had two hits each:  Diowill Burgos, Darlin Moquete and Jose Zapata, Burgos in four and the latter two in five at bats.  Burgos had one of the team’s three doubles, touched home twice and worked a free pass while Moquete and Zapata both crossed home once.  Moquete swiped his 18^th base and Zapata drove in two.

Inohan Paniagua tossed six strong innings of shutout ball, evening his record to three wins and three losses.  The 18-year-old retired 18 of 20 batters faced, giving up a hit and walk while striking out five.

In his first game action in just over three weeks, Angel Cuenca pitched the seventh, permitting a hit, walk and unearned tally.  Victor Villanueva tossed a clean eighth but Anthony Trompiz was charged with two runs on three hits and a free pass while retiring two.  Ramon Fernandez fanned his only batter to strand two inherited runners.

Friday’s game:  at third-place DSL Mets1 (41-23), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (6-1, 3.18)

DSL Cardinals Red 8 vs. DSL D-backs2 3

The C-Red used a four-run third to send them past the D-backs2, 8-3.  The fourth-place Cardinals Red (35-28) are 9 ½ games in back of the Rangers2 and have been eliminated from contention for the San Pedro Division title.

Although the home team manufactured seven hits, walks were the key to victory as they worked five of the 10 free passes issued to them for the game in the third.  Those bases-on-balls were sandwiched between a hit batsman and the second of Joerlin De Los Santos’ three hits in five at bats, which drove in the frame’s final tally.

De Los Santos was the only C-Red with a multi-hit performance, doubling and scoring in the first before adding RBI singles in both the third and fifth.  Yowelfy Rosario accounted for four tallies, going 1-for-2 with a solo blast, two walks, three runs scored and two driven in. Infielder Luis Andujar reached base all four times he came to the plate, singling once with three walks and an RBI.

Allinson Benitez struck out five over the initial four frames, permitting a run on five hits and a walk.  Hector De Los Santos (W, 2-0) kept the D-backs2 (21-43) off the board for three innings, yielding two hits and two walks with three K’s.

Ronald Suarez worked around two hits for a scoreless eighth but it took two relievers to negotiate the visitor’s two-run ninth.  Gabriel Contreras was charged with both scores after issuing four free passes and uncorking two wild pitches.  Gustavo J. Rodriguez retired his only batter, leaving Contreras’ last two runners aboard.

Friday’s game:  vs. DSL Tigers1 (28-36), 10:30 am ET, Luis Ortiz (2-4, 6.54)

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photo: Jesus Cruz (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Jesus Cruz’ impressive mound effort led Palm Beach to one of the St. Louis Cardinals system’s four Tuesday wins.  Other top performances from Rangel Ravelo, Matt Pearce, Luken Baker and Benito Santiago, who went yard twice for Johnson City.

Results from the games played Tuesday, August 14^th.

New Orleans 4 at Memphis 3 (10 innings)

The Redbirds dropped their third straight decision, and sixth in the last 10 games, falling to the Baby Cakes, 4-3, in 10 at AutoZone Park.  Memphis (74-47) has seen its once commanding lead in the American Southern Division reduced to just eight games over Nashville (OAK), which has won 15 straight.

Austin Warner pitched his New Orleans counterpart, former St. Louis prospect Sandy Alcantara, to a draw.  Each hurler allowed three runs on six hits and no walks during their six-inning stints.  Warner fanned five while Alcantara struck out seven.  All three tallies charged to Warner were produced by home runs.

Dominic Leone walked one in the seventh and has been scored upon just one in six rehab appearances covering six frames.  Tommy Layne retired four batters, handing the ball off to Andrew Morales.  Morales (L, 1-3) negotiated around a single and intentional free pass for a scoreless ninth but allowed a single and sac fly the next frame that generated the losing margin.

Two of Memphis’ three scored resulted from Rangel Ravelo’s 13^th bomb of the season.  It came with Warner (single) aboard and followed Tommy Edman’s sac fly that scored Wilfredo Tovar (double).    Ravelo, the only Redbird with a multi-hit performance, went 3-for-4 with a base-on-balls.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. New Orleans (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Connor Jones (1-0, 5.11)

San Antonio 3 at Springfield 0

Springfield (21-30) kicked off its three-game series at Hammons Field versus San Antonio with a 3-0 loss.

Matt Pearce was saddled with his fifth loss in as many decisions despite tossing a quality effort.  The righty was touched for two runs on eight hits and two walks over seven innings.  Pearce struck out six.

Hector Mendoza surrendered a long ball with the bases empty while retiring three.  Roel Ramirez faced the minimum in the ninth, striking out the side.

The S-Cards managed six hits, two each by Evan Mendoza and Andy Young.  Young’s first Double-A triple was the only hit to go for extra bases.  Andrew Knizner went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in his second game since coming off the disabled list.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. San Antonio (24-25) (SD), 6:30 pm CT, Casey Meisner (1-1, 3.60)

Palm Beach 6 vs. Tampa 1

Player of the Day Jesus Cruz struck out nine over six innings as the PB-Cards flew past the Tarpons, 6-1.  Palm Beach (26-25) has a two-games-to-none series lead with two contests remaining.

Cruz (W, 5-0) held Tampa to a single score on four hits and did not issue a free pass.  It was the second straight quality effort for the native of Mexico and third in his last four starts.  Cruz threw 66 of his 91 pitches for strikes.

Ramon Santos tossed two clean frames in his return to Palm Beach from Springfield, walking one.  John Kilichowski faced the minimum in the ninth.

Right fielder Justin Toerner had an auspicious Florida State League debut after his jump from State College, singling and doubling in four at bats with an RBI out of the nine hole.  The only other Beach Bird with more than one of the team’s eight hits was Ryan McCarvel, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI’s.  The first baseman was caught stealing in his only attempt and committed his second and third bobbles.  Conner Capel had a productive game, doubling once in four at bats, crossing home twice and driving in one.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Tampa (23-28) (NYY), 6:30 pm ET, Evan Guillory (1-3, 7.81)

Clinton 5 at Peoria 3

The Chiefs could not overcome a third-inning grand slam in their 5-3 loss to the LumberKings (24-27) for a split of the four-game set.  Peoria (30-19) remains tied for first with Cedar Rapids atop the Western Division with the two teams squaring off for the next three contests.

Johan Oviedo (L, 9-8) had one bad inning out of his five pitched, serving up the bomb that was one of two hits and two walks he permitted in the third.  The right-hander allowed just one more hit overall and struck out nine.

C.J. Saylor tossed two innings, giving up an unearned tally and fanning three.  Fabian Blanco struck out two in his one-two-three eighth and Ben Yokley worked around a hit for a scoreless ninth.

Luken Baker swung a hot bat for Peoria, going 3-for-4 with a solo shot.  Zach Kirtley and Rayder Ascanio had two hits apiece in four at bats. Ascanio doubled once with an RBI.  Dennis Ortega led off the first with his fourth long ball, his only hit in five at bats.  Center fielder Brandon Riley was hitless in four at bats in his Midwest League debut.

Wednesday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids (31-20) (MIN), 6:35 pm CT, TBA

State College – off for NYPL All-Star Game – South 7, North 1

The South, which included three State College players, defeated the North in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game by a 7-1 score Tuesday night. The contest, the last all-star game of the summer in baseball, was hosted by the Spikes at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

For all the details from the contest, check out TCN reporter Cooper Deck’s game story.

NYPL All-Star Game Showcases Three State College Spikes

Wednesday’s game:  State College (26-30) vs. Williamsport (23-32) (PHI), 7:05 pm ET, Diego Cordero (2-2, 3.99)

Johnson City 15 vs. Bristol 5

Catcher Benito Santiago blasted two home runs as Johnson City (23-27) thumped Bristol, 15-5, for a split of the four-game set.

Both of Santiago’s hits left the park, the first a solo long ball that was part of his team’s five-run third and the other a grand slam capping the Appy Birds’ five-run fifth.  The catcher was one of seven JC-Cards with two hits apiece and two runs scored and all nine starters had at least one of the squad’s 16 hits.  Santiago swiped his second bag of 2018, too.  Dariel Gomez also launched a three-run bomb that comprised one of his two runs scored to go with four RBI.

Tommy Parsons tossed six strong frames for his fourth win against one loss.  The 22-year-old free agent signee allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits with no walks and six K’s.  Enrique Perez tossed a clean seventh but both Michael Brettell and Jacob Sylvester were charged with a run in their respective inning on the bump.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

GCL Cardinals 7 at GCL Marlins 5 (11 innings)

It took 11 innings but the GCL Cardinals (32-15) prevailed over the Marlins (18-29), 7-5, reducing their magic number for clinching the East Division to three.

Diomedes Del Rio’s only hit in five at bats was an RBI triple that put his squad up 6-5 and accounted for one of his two runs driven in.  Del Rio touched home on Joe Freiday’s sac fly for the final score.

Three Gulf Cardinals had two hits apiece:  Zack Gahagan, Jhon Torres and William Jimenez.  Gahagan reached base all three times he came to the plate, going 2-for-2 with a walk, double and one driven in before being replaced at first base in the sixth.  Torres singled and doubled in four at bats, crossing home once and knocking in one with a stolen base while Jimenez went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.

Connor Coward went the first five frames, holding the opposition to a hit and three walks without yielding a tally.  Francisco Justo allowed two runs during his two-inning stint before handing a 5-2 lead over to Alex Gallegos.

But Gallegos (BS, 1) could not overcome a lead-off fielding error by Cole Kreuter, who had moved to first from second base when Gahagan left the game.  Gallegos gave up three unearned runs on a walk, two singles and a ground-rule double before Ty Cohen recorded the ninth’s final out.  Cohen retired all 10 batters faced for his third win in four decisions.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. GCL Nationals (21-26), 12:00 pm ET, Perry DellaValle (0-1, 1.91)

DSL Cardinals Blue 8 vs. DSL Angels 7 (mid-seventh)

The Dominican Birds of Blue slipped past the Angels, 8-7, a game that was called in top of the seventh due to rain.  The Cardinals Blue (43-19) remain tied with the Twins atop the South Division with 10 games remaining.  The two squads face off over the season’s final two contests.

Julio Puello (W, 6-0) tossed five solid frames, holding the Angels (20-42) to two runs on four hits and two base-on-balls.  The 19-year-old struck out eight.

Derek Diaz was charged with two tallies on a hit and two walks in the sixth but Saniel Santana served up a three-run home run while recording one out the next inning.  Josue Ramirez had replaced Santana but did not face a batter before the game was halted.

The C-Blue generated eight hits with Darlin Moquette and Darlyn Del Villar having two hits apiece while batting first and second.  Moquette went 2-for-3 with a walk and his third triple, scored twice and knocked in one while Del Villar singled and doubled in four at bats, touched home once and drove in three.  Malcom Nunez reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two walks, a double, run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Nationals (31-31), 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (4-2, 3.34)

DSL Cardinals Red 0 at DSL Mets2 1 (7) – Game 1
DSL Mets2 at DSL Cardinals Red – Game 2 suspended

The DSL Cardinals Red (33-28) and Mets2 (30-31) were scheduled for a Tuesday twin bill but completed only one of the two contests.  The C-Red fell in the opener, 1-0, and the finale was called after two outs in the first due to rain with the home team trailing 1-0.

Jose Moreno took the hard luck loss in Game 1, his fifth against three wins, yielding an unearned run in the first of his five innings on the bump.  The righty gave up two hits and a walk and committed a balk.  Sebastian Tabata tossed a one-two-three sixth.

The visitors were held to three hits, a double by Claudio Ramirez plus singles by Joerlin De Los Santos and Luis Montano.  Centerfielder De Los Santos committed a fielding error resulting in the unearned tally.  It was his fourth miscue of the season.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL D-backs2 (21-41), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Jake Dahlberg (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Player of the Day Jake Dahlberg’s complete-game shutout for Peoria was the highlight of a Monday schedule in which St. Louis’ minors went 4-2. Elehuris Montero and Dionis Zamora delivered other top performances.

Results from the games played Monday, August 13^th.

New Orleans 4 at Memphis 2

The Redbirds opened a four-game home set versus the Baby Cakes with a 4-2 loss.  First-place Memphis (74-46) leads its division by nine games but has gone 5-5 over the last 10 games while second-place Nashville (OAK) is riding a 14-game winning surge. Two weeks ago, Memphis’ lead was 16 games and 20 games remain on the schedule.

Three of the four scores charged to Kevin Herget (L, 8-9) were produced by two home runs.  Herget gave up six hits in all while striking out eight and did not walk a batter.  Conner Greene, Tommy Layne and Landon Beck each retired two batters, with Greene and Beck both issuing a free pass and Layne yielding a hit.

Memphis outhit New Orleans, nine to seven, but none of the Redbirds’ hits left the park and only two were good for extra bases.  Tommy Edman, Carson Kelly and Randy Arozarena all went 2-for-4, with Edman scoring once, Kelly knocking in one and Arozarena hitting his 14^th double with an RBI.  Rehabbing Tyler O’Neill did not play.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. third-place New Orleans (58-61) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Austin Warner (1-0, 2.16)

Springfield – off

Last-place Springfield (21-29) limps home from a 10-game road trip in which they went 4-6 only to host a 10-game home stand against the same three teams:  San Antonio (SD), Corpus Christi (HOU) and Northwest Arkansas (KC).

Tuesday’s game:  vs. third-place (South Division) San Antonio (23-25), 6:30 pm CT, Matt Pearce (0-4, 5.76)

Palm Beach 7 vs. Tampa 6 (10 innings)

A throwing error in the 10^th gave the PB-Cards a 7-6 walk-off victory in the home series opener.  Palm Beach (25-25) has a comfortable grasp on third place in the South Division, 5 ½ games behind Charlotte (TB).

The unearned tally, the second of the night for the Beach Birds, reversed a late-innings surge in which the Tarpons erased the 4-0 lead Palm Beach built through five.  Adam Wainwright took the first step on his latest comeback trail with a one-two-three first.  The righty gave up a lead-off single that was negated when the runner was caught stealing, the attempted theft sandwiched around two swinging K’s.  Wainwright threw nine pitches, seven for strikes.

Ian Oxnevad kept Tampa off the board over the next four frames but retired only one sixth-inning batter.  The 21-year-old allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in 4 1/3.

Austin Sexton recorded five outs, stranding an inherited runner before Jacob Patterson left his last runner aboard by striking out the side in the eighth.  But Patterson got the hook after serving up a lead-off long ball  in the ninth and was replaced by Bryan Dobzanski.  Dobzanski (BS, 1) (W, 3-0) permitted the tying run on a base-on-balls, single and wild pitch but tossed a clean 10^th.

The home team banged out 13 hits, led by Elehuris Montero who went 3-for-5 with a solo blast that was one of his two knocked in. Montero is now batting .385 in his first week with Palm Beach. Four Beach Birds had two hits apiece:  Kramer Robertson, Irving Lopez, Jose Godoy and Bryce Denton.  Denton’s two hits were his first after going 0-for-9 since being called up from Peoria.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Tampa (23-27) (NYY), 6:30 pm ET, Jake Walsh (5-4, 2.30)

Peoria 4 vs. Clinton 0

Starter Jake Dahlberg went the distance as the Chiefs topped the LumberKings, 4-0, for a two-games-to-one home series lead with one on tap.  The win allowed Peoria (30-18) to reclaim a share of first place in the Western Division, tied with Cedar Rapids (MIN).

Making his third start for the Chiefs after beginning the season at State College, Player of the Day Dahlberg (W, 2-1) scattered eight hits and did not issue a free pass.  The lefty struck out six with 15 ground- and three fly- ball outs.  79 of his 104 pitches went for strikes.

Peoria’s seven hits were shared among six players.  Luken Baker singled and doubled in four at bats, touching home once while Nolan Gorman went 1-for-3 with a sac fly and two RBI.  J.R. Davis did a little bit of both, going 1-for-2 with a double, run scored and one driven in.  Defensively, Dahlberg committed an error on an attempted pickoff and Gorman was charged with a throwing miscue, his second for the Chiefs.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. seventh-place Clinton (23-27) (SEA), 7:00 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (9-7, 4.53)

State College – off

Third-place State College (26-30), winners of seven of their last 10 games, hosts the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game.  The game will be played on Tuesday, August 14^th at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.  Spikes manager Joe Kruzel will lead the South squad, which includes State College infielders Nick Dunn, Edwin FIguera and Delvin Perez.

Tuesday’s game:  2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, 7:05 p.m. Eastern time, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park – home of the State College Spikes

Johnson City 4 vs. Bristol 2

The JC-Cards parlayed three hits and four walks into a 4-2 victory over the Pirates.  Fourth-place Johnson City (22-27) has won one of the series first three games with one remaining and trails Elizabethton (MIN) by six games in the standings.

The Appy Birds scored three of their four tallies in the second, generated by the first four batters.  Andrew Warner led off with a free pass just before Daniel Gomez hit a come-backer to the pitcher who was unable to record an out.  Michael Perri’s single to short jammed the sacks full for Zach Jackson, who cleared them with his 11th double.  Two innings later the team produced their final run on two walks, a ground out and wild pitch.

Pitching duties were shared by two JC-Cards hurlers:  Dionis Zamora and Evan Sisk.  Zamora (W, 1-2) tossed a solid effort, the only mark against him over six frames being two solo shots that were two of his five hits and one walk allowed.  The Venezuelan fanned six.  Sisk struck out five over the last three innings for his third save.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. third-place Bristol (25-27) (PIT), 11:30 am ET, Tommy Parsons (3-1, 4.14)

GCL Cardinals 4 vs. GCL Astros 1

Terry Fuller and Carlos Soto both went yard as the Gulf Birds flew past the GCL Astros, 4-1.  The Cardinals (31-15) lead the second-place Astros (25-22) by 6 ½ games and have a magic number of four to clinch the East Division title.

Fuller, in his first game back from injury, led off the home half of the first with his second home run, giving his team a lead they never relinquished.  The Gulf Cardinals scored again the next inning on two walks and three wild pitches.

The score remained 2-0 until the sixth, when Soto launched a home run with Jhon Torres (single) aboard.  Torres was one of two Gulf Birds to single twice in four at bats, along with Josh Shaw.  The Cardinals had seven hits in all.

That was more than sufficient offense for starter Chris Hunt (W, 4-0), who blanked the GCL Astros on four hits and three walks over five innings.  Chris Rivera was touched for a tally in the seventh, his second inning of work.

Griffin Roberts, the 43^rd overall pick in the June 2018 First-Year Player Draft, came out of the bullpen for the first time after two brief starts and faced the minimum in the eighth. Edgar Escobar pitched a one-two-three ninth, picking up his seventh save.

Tuesday’s game:  at fifth-place GCL Marlins (18-28), 12:00 pm ET, Connor Coward (3-0, 1.16)

DSL Cardinals Blue 1 at DSL Angels 2

The C-Blue were clipped by the DSL Angels, 2-1, snapping an eight-game winning streak.  The Cardinals (42-19) are tied for first place in the South Division with the Twins with 11 games remaining in the regular season.

Hector Soto took the loss, his fifth in 10 decisions, despite tossing five solid frames.  The 19-year-old struck out seven while giving up five hits and one base-on-balls.

Angel Ortega issued two free passes, one intentional, and hit a batter during his two frames on the bump. Larimel Soriano worked around two hits and a walk for a scoreless eighth.

The visitors were held to five hits, led by catcher Luis Rodriguez, who singled twice in four at bats.  Their only tally came in the third when Freddy De Jesus drove a two-out double to right, scoring Adanson Cruz (hit-by-pitch).

Tuesday’s game:  vs. eighth-place DSL Angels (20-41), 10:30 am ET, Julio Puello (5-0, 2.03) or Francis Ventura (4-2, 3.34)

DSL Mets2 at DSL Cardinals Red – postponed

Monday’s contest between the fifth-place DSL Mets2 and fourth-place DSL Cardinals Red (28-25) was postponed.  The game has been rescheduled as part of a twin bill on Tuesday, August 14^th.

Tuesday’s games:  vs/at DSL Mets2 (27-27).  Game 1 – 10:00 am EST, Jose Moreno (3-4, 4.75)/TBA

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The St. Louis Cardinals system went 6-2 on Tuesday. Our Player of the Day, 17-year old Malcom Nunez, smacked a double, two home runs and drove in eight for DSL Blue. Other hitting standouts include Scott Hurst and Joerlin De Los Santos.

Results from the games played Tuesday, August 7^th.

Fresno 15 at Memphis 14

The Redbirds’ late rally fell short in their 15-14 home loss to Fresno (66-49).  Memphis (71-44) won only one of the four-game set during which their pitching staff gave up a whopping 41 runs.

Down 15-8 with six outs to go, the home team pushed across three runs in both the eighth and ninth, putting the potential tying run just 90 feet from home with two outs to give.  But a foul tip K and fly out ended the scoring.

Memphis gathered 13 hits with all nine starters having at least one and eight of the nine touching home at least one time.  Four Redbirds had two hits apiece:  Lane Thomas, Rangel Ravelo, Alex Mejia and Ramon Urias, the latter in his Triple-A return.  Randy Arozarena reached base four times, going 1-for-2 with a double, three walks and three runs scored.  The right fielder swiped a bag as well.  Carson Kelly’s only hit in five at bats was a solo shot.  Urias also went yard with the bases empty.

After three strong starts, Jake Woodford struggled this time out, permitting five tallies on six hits, including a two-run blast, and three free passes in just four innings.  Matt Bowman surrendered a long ball with the bases clear during his two frames on the bump.

Making his third rehab appearance, Dominic Leone (BS, 1) was scored upon for the first time.  The righty served up a two-run home run with three outs recorded.  Tommy Layne (L, 2-1) retired one batter but allowed three hits and a walk.  All four runners, plus another that reached due to Patrick Wisdom’s throwing error, came around to score.  Three of those base runners scored under Edward Mujica’s watch, as the veteran served up an RBI double and a three-run long ball before the eighth was over.  Andrew Morales tossed a one-two-three ninth, striking out two.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

Springfield 5 at San Antonio 4

The S-Cards opened their three-game road series at San Antonio with a 5-4 victory to halt a four-game losing skid.

Anthony Shew tossed six quality frames, permitting three runs on nine hits but did not issue a free pass.  Elniery Garcia was charged with a run on two hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning.  Roel Ramirez limited the damage by retiring all four batters faced, stranding Garcia’s last two runners.  Seth Elledge worked out of a self-created bases-loaded jam for his first save as an S-Card.

Springfield (19-26) generated eight hits and five walks spread primarily among three players:  John Nogowski, Evan Mendoza and Blake Drake.  Nogowski claimed the best results, going 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls and two-run bomb that was one of his three runs scored.

Mendoza and Drake both went 2-for-4 as well, with Mendoza scoring once and Drake doubling for the 16^th time.    Right fielder Johan Mieses singled once in three at bats with a walk and two RBI and contributed the play of the game when he nailed a runner at home to preserve the 4-3 lead.

Wednesday’s game:  at San Antonio (22-22) (SD), 7:05 pm CT, Matt Pearce (0-3, 5.63)

Palm Beach 8 at Florida 1

Scott Hurst had a perfect night at the plate as the PB-Cards (21-23) squashed the Fire Frogs, 8-1, evening the series at one game each with one to go.

Hurst reached base all five times he came to the plate, going 3-for-3 with two free passes, double, three runs scored and an RBI.  The right fielder accounted for half of his team’s runs.  The only other Beach Bird with a multi-hit effort was third baseman Elehuris Montero, who singled and doubled in five at bats with an RBI in his Florida State League debut.  Three PB-Cards had one hit apiece.

Alex Fagalde (W, 2-0) followed up his maiden Palm Beach start with another strong effort, permitting just one run on four hits and a walk through six.  Jason Zgardowski retired five batters, yielding two hits and a base-on-balls.  Colton Thomson struck out three over the last 1 2/3, stranding two inherited runners.

Wednesday’s game:  at Florida (15-26) (ATL), 11:00 am ET, Ian Oxnevad (4-6, 4.72)

Peoria – off

Having completed a very successful 5-1 home stand, Peoria (27-15) travels to Kane County for a three-game series before heading back to Dozer Field for a four-game set versus Clinton (SEA).

Wednesday’s game:  at Kane County (20-23) (ARI), 6:30 pm CT, TBA

State College 5 at Mahoning Valley 4

The Spikes withstood a late rally to edge the Scrappers, 5-4, completing a three-game road sweep of first-place Mahoning Valley.

Michael Baird (W, 1-2) pitched into the sixth, allowing just a single tally on four hits and a base-on-balls while striking out seven over 5 1/3.  It was the first professional win for the Southern Illinois University product, drafted in the 23^rd round of the recent June First-Year Player Draft.

Edgar Gonzalez recorded three outs without permitting a score, thanks in large part to Hector Villalobos, who stranded the bases full of Gonzalez’ runners by retiring the seventh’s last two batters.  Villalobos did not fare as well himself, surrendering three runs on three hits and a plunked batter in 2 1/3.  Kevin Hamann let Villalobos’ last runner cross home to bring the Scrappers (29-20) within one but notched a swinging K to end the threat and earn his sixth save.

State College (22-29) was outhit by Mahoning Valley, 11 to nine, but concentrated five of those hits in their four-run third.  Justin Toerner, Edwin Figuera and Stanley Espinal had two hits each and touched home once.  A triple by Espinal was the only hit to go for extra bases.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. West Virginia (18-33) (PIT), 7:05 pm ET, Diego Cordero (2-2, 4.40)

Johnson City 11 at Bristol 5

A balanced offensive effort led the JC-Cards to an 11-5 road win over the Pirates.  Johnson City (21-24) has won one of the series’ first three games with one on tap.

All nine Appy Bird starters either had at least one of the team’s 14 hits or scored a run.  Six had two hits apiece:  Leandro Cedeno, Michael Perri, Nolan Gorman, Brian Sanchez, Jonatan Machado and Donivan Williams.  Williams had two hits in four at bats, the rest did it in five and all six crossed home at least once.  Cedeno’s ninth home run came with Sanchez (double) aboard in the fifth, breaking a 1-1 tie.  Perri doubled twice while Machado, Gorman and Sanchez doubled once.

Tommy Parsons (W, 3-1) surrendered a solo bomb in the first but kept Bristol off the board until tiring in the sixth.  Parsons gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits and three base-on-balls in 5 1/3.

Enrique Perez pitched two innings, yielding two runs, one earned, on two hits and a walk while allowing one inherited runner to score.  Both of Perez’ runs scored with Evan Sisk on the mound. The runs were generated by a force out and subsequent throwing error on the play by second baseman Williams.  Sisk retired all five batters faced and kept one of Perez’ runners from scoring.

Wednesday’s game:  at Bristol (21-25) (PIT), 7:00 pm ET, Cole Aker (1-0, 2.40)

GCL Cardinals – off

After a day of respite, the first-place GCL Cardinals (28-12) square off in a doubleheader at the second-place GCL Astros, which are riding a five-game winning streak.

Wednesday’s games:  at GCL Astros (23-18).  Game one – 10:00 am ET, Connor Coward (2-0, 1.38)/Edwar Ramirez (0-1, 6.14)

DSL Cardinals Blue 14 at DSL Rockies 8

The C-Blue offense exploded for 13 runs over their last four innings to top the DSL Rockies, 14-8.

2018 July 2^nd signing and Player of the Day Malcom Nunez had a monster day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs – a three-run blast in the sixth and an eighth-inning bomb with a runner aboard.  The 17-year-old had eight RBI to go with two runs scored and is batting .438/.512/.773/1.283, 46-for-105 in 28 games.

Four C-Blue players had two hits apiece:  Darlin Moquete, Adanson Cruz, Sander Mora and Elvin DeJesus.  Moquete accounted for five runs – three scored and two driven in while Cruz hit his sixth triple and Mora doubled twice while touching home three times.

Just as impactful as the offense was each team’s defense, or lack thereof, with only five of the DSL Cardinals’ (38-18) 14 tallies earned and only four of the DSL Rockies’ eight runs earned.  The visitors committed two miscues and the home team had four bobbles.

Starter Hector Soto had mixed results during his five-inning stint, fanning 10 Rockies (19-37) but yielding seven hits resulting in four tallies, two earned.  Derek Diaz (W, 2-0) allowed a run in the sixth and was the pitcher of record when the DSL Cardinals Blue took the lead.

Larimel Soriano recorded four outs, permitting three tallies, one earned, on four hits and a hit batsman.  The righty struck out three.  Josue Ramirez retired five and left two of Soriano’s runners aboard.

Wednesday’s games:  at first-place DSL Twins (39-17).  Game one – 10:00 am ET, Julio Puello (5-0, 1.51)/TBA

DSL Brewers 13 at DSL Cardinals Red 12 (9 innings) – Game 1
DSL Cardinals Red 12 at DSL Brewers 4 (7 innings) – Game 2

The C-Red split a pair with the DSL Brewers (33-22), dropping the opener, 13-12 in nine, but claiming the finale, 12-4 in seven.

In the opener, the Cardinals Red (28-26) rallied for a 10-10 tie after seven.  Each team scored twice the next inning but the visitors prevailed with a tally in the top of the ninth for which the home team had no answer.

The contest featured three errors by the Brewers and one for the C-Red, generating three unearned runs for each squad.  The C-Red banged out 18 hits, paced by Joerlin De Los Santos, who finished a home run shy of the cycle.  The centerfielder went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and three knocked in while leading off.

Franklin Soto, the number two batter, went 4-for-5 as well with his seventh triple, crossed home twice and drove in three.  Claudio Ramirez had a double and two singles in five at bats with a run scored and stolen base.

Starter Luis Ortiz did not finish the fourth, surrendering nine runs, eight earned, on eight hits and a plunked batter in 3 1/3.  Ortiz’ final three runners scored under Hector De Los Santos’ watch.  De Los Santos walked one, hit another and threw a wild pitch before he finished the fourth.

Gustavo J. Rodriguez and Miguel Maiz each tossed two innings, the latter striking out three but allowing two runs, one earned.  Sebastian Tabata (L, 3-1) fanned three in the ninth but yielded an unearned tally on two hits.

The C-Red kept right on hitting in Game 2, transforming 16 hits and five walks into a 12-4 victory.  Right fielder Luis Montano also finished a long ball shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a walk, double, triple, run scored and two RBI.  Designated hitter Alexander Samuel went 3-for-4 as well, touching home one time and driving in one.

De Los Santos singled and scored in his only at bat before being replaced in the visitor half of the second by Erik Pena, who went 2-for-2 with a free pass, triple, run scored and three knocked in.

Jose Moreno (W, 3-4) tossed five strong frames, yielding two unearned runs on four hits and a walk.  Jhon Victorino was charged with two more unearned tallies on three hits, a base-on-balls and hit batsman over two innings.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Cubs2 (20-25), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Mateo Gil (Future Stars Series)

It was a Walk-Off 5-3 Monday in St. Louis minors with five contests decided in the final at-bat.  Palm Beach, Peoria and State College rallied but Johnson City lost two at the end.  Player of the Day Mateo Gil led the GCL Cardinals to victory as did Darlin Moquete and Malcom Nunez for the Cardinals Blue.

Results from the games played Monday, August 6^th.

Fresno 12 at Memphis 3

The Redbirds were mauled at home by the Grizzlies, 12-3, and now trail in the series with another first-place club, two-games-to-one with one on tap.  Memphis (71-43) still leads the American Southern Division by 12 ½ games but second-place Nashville (OAK) is charging, having won eight straight.

Chris Ellis (L, 3-4) put his team into a deep hole out of which they could not climb, surrendering eight runs on seven hits and a walk through five.  All eight tallies were generated by three long balls.  Ellis hit two batters.

That hole got deeper with Conner Greene on the mound.  Greene permitted four runs, three earned, on two hits, a base-on-balls and hit batsman.  All four runs came off one home run.

Brett Cecil began his rehab assignment in encouraging fashion by retiring all three batters faced on two fly- and one ground-out.  Giovanny Gallegos gave up a hit and base-on-balls during his two-inning stint.

Memphis had six hits but none of theirs left the park.  The offense was spread among six Redbirds with Lane Thomas and Edmundo Sosa each doubling in four at bats with a run scored.  Rangel Ravelo went 1-for-3 with a base-on-balls and two driven in.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. first-place (Pacific Northern) Fresno (65-49) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Jake Woodford (3-2, 2.73)

Springfield – off

Springfield (18-26) is in the midst of a 10-game road swing and looking to halt a four-game losing skid that cost them the entire series at Northwest Arkansas (KC).   Up next are two three-game series against South Division rivals San Antonio and Corpus Christi (HOU).

Tuesday’s game:  at San Antonio (22-21) (SD), 7:05 pm CT, Anthony Shew (5-6, 4.07)

Palm Beach 3 at Florida 2

The Beach Birds generated a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Fire Frogs in the road series opener.  Third-place Palm Beach (20-23) is 5 ½ games in back of Charlotte (TB) in the South Division standings.

Trailing 2-0 with three outs to go, Palm Beach transformed a hit batsman, two singles, a double and a sac fly into a 3-2 lead.  Scott Hurst led his team’s eight-hit effort, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored the tying run on a double by Juan Yepez.

The only other PB-Card with a multi-hit performance was Irving Lopez who singled twice in four at bats.  Lopez drove in Chase Pinder who pinch ran for Brian O’Keefe after the latter was plunked.  In return, Lopez scored what proved to be the difference in the game after Jose Martinez lofted one deep enough to sacrifice Lopez in.

Evan Guillory pitched the first six innings, allowing two runs on nine hits and a walk with six strikeouts.  Jacob Patterson tossed a one-two-three frame as did Austin Sexton (W, 2-2) before Bryan Dobzanski maneuvered around a one-out free pass for his second save.  Dobzanski has yet to be scored upon in five relief appearances covering 7 1/3 innings since his promotion from Peoria.

Tuesday’s game:  at Florida (15-25) (ATL), 6:31 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 3 vs. Quad Cities 2

The Chiefs rallied for a 3-2 walk-off win over the River Bandits in the rubber game of the set at Dozer Park.  Peoria (27-15) is tied for first with Cedar Rapids (MIN) in the Western Division, both teams a game up on Beloit (OAK).

The home team garnered 11 hits, including four in their two-run ninth.  Three Chiefs had two hits apiece:  Nick Plummer, J.R. Davis and Brandon Benson.  Davis’ second single in four at bats drove in Zach Kirtley after the latter singled to begin the ninth, knotting the game at one all.  Davis scored the game-winning tally after Rayder Ascanio rapped a sharp single to right.

That made a winner out of Ben Yokley (W, 2-1) who struck out two in the visitor half of the frame.  Alvaro Seijas fell two outs shy of his fifth consecutive quality start, as the 19-year-old surrendered two solo bombs that were part of the seven hits and two walks allowed in 5 1/3.  Robbie Gordon fanned five over 2 2/3, leaving Seijas’ final runner on base.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

State College 4 at Mahoning Valley 3 (11 innings)

The Spikes’ late rally resulted in a 4-3 road victory over the Scrappers in 11.  Fifth-place State College (21-29) will go for a sweep of first-place Mahoning Valley when the two teams meet on Tuesday evening.

Down 3-1 after six, the visitors pushed across two unearned tallies, which eventually sent the game into extras.  The winning margin was a combination of a bit of small ball and a defensive lapse by the home team.  Delvin Perez began the 11^th on second and was sacrificed to third by Justin Toerner.  After a strikeout and base-on-balls to Edwin Figuera, Perez raced home on a passed ball.

The game pivoted on a defensive play in the home half of the seventh.  Winston Nicacio allowed a double to his first batter faced.  The runner advanced to third on a sac bunt and attempted to score on a swinging K that got away from catcher Alexis Wilson.  But Wilson recovered the ball in time to flip it to Nicacio covering for the out at home, preventing the go-ahead run from scoring.

Nicacio was one of three Spikes to commit a bobble, one of which generated an unearned tally.  That run was charged to starter Franyel Casadilla, who yielded two runs, one earned, on five hits and a free pass over 4 1/3.

Eli Kraus recorded five outs, permitting a run on two hits and allowing one of three inherited runners to score.  He also hit a batter.  Nicacio gave up two hits and an intentional base-on-balls during his two innings on the bump before handing the ball off to Cory Malcom.

Malcom (W, 3-0) tossed two scoreless, issuing an intentional free pass to set up a force out in the 10^th.  The righty also escaped his own fielding error that loaded the bases with none out that inning.  Malcom got a force out at home before inducing a double play.  Kevin Hamann struck out all three batters faced for his fifth save.

State College managed six hits, two by Wadye Infante, who singled twice in four at bats with a run scored.  The center fielder was one-for-two in stolen base attempts.

Tuesday’s game:  at first-place Mahoning Valley (29-19) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET, Michael Baird (0-2, 2.15)

Johnson City 1 at Bristol 2 (7) – Game 1         
Johnson City 7 at Bristol 8 (7) – Game 2

The JC-Cards suffered a double-header sweep in the first two of a four-game series, 2-1 and 8-7, both of the losses coming in walk-off fashion.  Johnson City (20-24) falls to fourth place in the West Division standings, five games behind Elizabethton (MIN).

The first contest ended 2-1 as Parker Kelly was tagged for his second loss in six decisions.  Kelly permitted a run on two hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning.

Dionis Zamora tossed the first five innings, yielding a tally on four hits and two free passes with four K’s.  The right-hander hit one batter as well.  Jacob Sylvester walked two in the sixth.

Johnson City’s only run occurred in the sixth and was unearned.  Donivan Williams led off and reached on a throwing error then advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Luis Flores’ two-out double brought Williams home.  Center fielder Jonatan Machado singled twice in four at bats, the only Appy Bird with more than one of the team’s six hits.

The JC-Cards suffered yet another walk-off loss in the finale, a contest postponed from July 6^th.  Junior Gonzalez (L, 0-3) yielded a home run with one gone in the seventh.

In a bullpen game, Michael Brettell started for the first time after nine relief appearances and went two plus frames.  Three of the five runs, four earned, allowed by the right-hander came on a home run comprising one of the four hits and two walks yielded.  David Oca went four innings, striking out three and giving up two unearned runs on three hits, a walk and one of Johnson City’s two errors.

Down 7-4 through six, the Appy Birds rallied for three in their final inning of play. Two of the tallies came via Andrew Warner’s second home run since joining the club.  It was the designated hitter’s only hit in three at bats.  Brandon Riley singled twice in three at bats with a walk, two runs scored and one driven in.  Johnson City had seven hits in all in Game 2.

Tuesday’s game:  at third-place Bristol (21-24) (PIT), 7:00 pm ET, Tommy Parsons (2-1, 4.26)

GCL Cardinals 6 vs. GCL Mets 3

Ryan Helsley took a big step in his road back to Memphis with two plus scoreless frames as the Gulf Cardinals downed the Gulf Mets, 6-3.  The Cardinals (28-12) lead the second-place Astros by six games in the East Division standings.

Making his first rehab appearance after a nearly two-month absence, Helsley struck out four over the first 2 2/3.  The Oklahoma native gave up one hit and displayed a bit of rust by issuing three free passes.

Chris Hunt (W, 3-0) shut down the third-place Mets (20-21) on two hits while fanning three in 3 1/3 and leaving Helsley’s last runner on base.  It was the righty’s first action since July 26^th.

But Rodard Avelino was not nearly as effective as his predecessors.  The 19-year-old did not retire any of his five batters faced, giving up a hit, walking three and plunking one.  Alex Gallegos inherited a real mess, coming into the game with two runs already across and the bases jammed with no outs.  Gallegos induced a run-scoring 4-6-3 double play and fly out and would earn our Fireman of the Day nod, if we had such a beast.  Freddy Pacheco struck out two and picked off one over the last two frames for his first Gulf Coast League save.

The Gulf Cardinals’ 12-hit attack was spearheaded by right fielder William Jimenez, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored and strikeout.  Three players had two hits each:  Mateo Gil, Josh Shaw and rehabbing Angel Moreno.  Gil, our Player of the Day, added a triple to his single in five at bats, crossed home twice and drove in one, accounting for half of his team’s scores.  Shaw and Moreno singled twice in five and four at bats, respectively, with an RBI.  Moreno drew one of three free passes issued.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals Blue 6 vs. DSL Rockies 2

Solid offensive efforts from Darlin Moquete and Malcom Nunez led the C-Blue over the Dominican Rockies, 6-2.  The second-place Cardinals Blue (37-18) kept pace with the first-place Twins with the win, the latter having won four straight.

Moquete and Nunez had two hits apiece and took part in three runs.  Moquete singled twice in five at bats while crossing home three times and swiping his 12^th bag of the season.  Nunez went 2-for-4 with a walk, double and three RBI.  The final C-Blue with more than one of the team’s nine hits was Elvin De Jesus, who singled twice in three at bats, worked a base-on-balls and touched home once.

Enmanuel Solano (W, 5-1) pitched into the sixth, permitting single scores in the first and sixth.  Both runs were unearned due to two of the squad’s four miscues.  Solano allowed five hits and a walk in 5 1/3.

Miguel Yedis recorded the sixth’s last two outs, stranding an inherited runner.  Luis Tena worked around a hit and base-on-balls for a scoreless seventh before Angel Ortega tossed two clean frames, permitting a hit and free pass.

Tuesday’s game:  at seventh-place DSL Rockies (19-36), 10:30 am ET, Hector Soto (5-4, 2.75)

DSL Cardinals Red at DSL Brewers – postponed 

Monday’s contest between the DSL Cardinals Red (28-25) and DSL Brewers was postponed due to rain.  The game has been rescheduled as part of a Tuesday, August 7^th twin bill.

Tuesday’s games:  at/vs. DSL Brewers (32-22).  Game one – 10:00 am ET, TBA/TBA

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Gulf Coast League Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 7

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photo: Jhon Torres (Joseph Coblitz/BurningRiverBaseball.com)

St. Louis’ minors went 4-3 on Sunday as one of the recent arrivals from Cleveland, Jhon Torres, had four hits, scored four times and plated five in the Gulf Coast League Cards’ win. Top pitching performances came from Landon Beck, Genesis Cabrera, Jake Walsh, Zack Prendergast, Jacob Schlesener, Colin Schmid and Brian Pirela.

Results from the games played Sunday, August 5^th.

Memphis 6 vs. Fresno 5 (10 innings)

Rangel Ravelo’s RBI single gave the Redbirds a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Grizzlies in 10, evening the series at one game apiece with two to play.  Memphis (71-42) has a 14-game lead over Nashville (OAK), which owns a six-game winning streak.

Ravelo’s third hit of the day in five at bats drove in Lane Thomas, who began the 10^th on second.  Thomas accounted for five tallies, going 2-for-5 with a three-run home run that was one of his three runs scored.  Three other Redbirds had one hit each.

Tommy Layne earned his second win against no losses by getting Edward Mujica out of a jam in the top of the frame.  The lefty entered with two gone and the potential go-ahead run just 90 feet from home.  A ground out to first ended the threat.

Connor Jones was the first of what turned out to be a string of six pitchers to see action.  Jones finished an out shy of three frames, yielding three runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman.  The Connecticut native struck out five.

Matt Bowman stranded two inherited runners but gave up two tallies on three hits while retiring four.  Landon Beck tossed a solid three-inning effort, permitting just one hit and fanning three.  Andrew Morales worked around a walk for a scoreless eighth before being replaced by Mujica, who allowed two hits in 1 2/3.

Monday’s game:  vs.  first-place (Pacific Northern) Fresno (64-49) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Chris Ellis (3-3, 4.07)

Springfield 4 at Northwest Arkansas 5

Genesis Cabrera tossed six solid frames in his organizational debut but the S-Cards suffered a 6-5 walk-off loss that completed a four-game sweep by Northwest Arkansas (18-25).  The sweep drops Springfield (18-26) back into the cellar of the North Division, eight games behind Tulsa (LAD).

The only batter to reach against Cabrera through three was via a free pass in the third.  The 21-year-old southpaw was touched for single scores in his fourth and sixth innings, allowing two walks and three hits, including a solo shot.

Cabrera left with his squad up 4-2, but that only lasted until the home half of the seventh, when Ramon Santos and Derian Gonzalez (BS, 2) let the Naturals tie the score.  Santos gave up three hits and a walk, resulting in two runs while recording just one out.  Gonzalez entered with a tough bases-loaded mess and allowed one of three inherited runners score before the inning ended.  Hector Mendoza (L, 2-2) gave up the winning score via a walk, balk, intentional walk and RBI single.

Springfield’s six hits were spread among six players with four S-Cards each touching home once.  Blake Drake went yard with the bases empty and Ramon Urias doubled in three at bats with a run scored and an RBI.

Monday’s game:  Off

Palm Beach 0 at Jupiter 3

The Beach Birds were blanked by the Hammerheads, 3-0, in the decisive third game of the series.  Palm Beach (20-22) is in third place in the South Division of the Florida State League, 4 ½ games in back of Charlotte (TB).

Jake Walsh (L, 5-3) took the hard-luck loss as all three tallies charged to him were unearned.  The visitor half of the second inning began with the lead-off runner reaching second due to a fielding error by right fielder Dylan Carlson.  A run-scoring single ensued preceding a two-run long ball with two outs.  Walsh permitted four hits and a base-on-balls through six.  Mike O’Reilly fanned three over two frames in his first action since being reassigned from Springfield.

Palm Beach managed just three hits in all, two by newcomer Conner Capel. The right-fielder singled twice in four at bats out of the five hole.

Monday’s game:  at Florida (15-24) (ATL), 6:31 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 8 vs. Quad Cities 7

The Chiefs withstood a late rally to top the River Bandits, 8-7, at Dozer Park.  Each team has won one of the first two games of the series with one on tap.  The win places Peoria (26-15) in a three-way tie for first with Beloit (OAK) and Cedar Rapids (MIN) in the West Division.

The home team trailed 5-2 through six, but a six-run seventh transformed the deficit into an 8-5 lead.  Peoria banged out 11 hits, led by Wood Myers, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.  Elehuris Montero, Zach Kirtley and Luken Baker – the three, four and five hitters – had two hits apiece.  Montero and Baker both launched home runs, Baker’s first full-season bomb coming with Myers and Montero aboard and capping the seventh.

Paul Balestrieri gave up six hits and two walks in 3 2/3, with all five runs charged to him unearned due to three of Peoria’s five miscues.  Zach Prendergast (W, 6-2) left Balestrieri’s last two runners on, keeping Quad Cities off the board over the next 3 1/3.  The only batter to reach against him was via a hit-by-pitch.

C.J. Saylor tossed a clean eighth but made things just a tad too interesting when he served up a two-run blast with one gone in the next inning.  Fabian Blanco negotiated around a walk for his eighth save.

Monday’s game:  vs. fourth-place Quad Cities (23-19), 7:00 pm CT, Alvaro Seijas (4-6, 4.54)

State College 4 at Mahoning Valley 3

Fifth-place State College (20-29) opened their three-game road series with a 4-3 victory over first-place Mahoning Valley, a team they trail by 10 games in the Pinckney Division.

The Scrappers took an early 1-0 lead after one but the Spikes answered with four runs for a 4-1 advantage after five.  Mahoning Valley pushed across single tallies in the eighth and ninth but State College held on for the win.

Jacob Schlesener (W, 2-3) was impressive during his six-inning stint, striking out nine while permitting a run on three hits and a free pass.  Will Changarotty fanned four in two innings but was touched for a solo bomb in his second inning of work.  Three was a big number for Gabe Gentner in the ninth as the righty gave up three hits that produced one run but notched three K’s for his first professional save.

The Spikes garnered just five hits but worked six free passes, four of which came around to score.  The big hit was Stanley Espinal’s bases-loaded double that plated Edwin Figuera, Justin Toerner and Kevin Woodall Jr, all of whom reached via a free pass.  Toerner worked three walks, scoring after two of them and singling once in two at bats.

Monday’s game:  at Mahoning Valley (29-18) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET, Franyel Casadilla (1-1, 2.45)

Johnson City 3 at Greeneville 7

Four late tallies unraveled a three-all tie, sending the JC-Cards to a 7-3 loss at Greeneville (18-25) (CIN).  Johnson City (20-22) took the series, two games to one, and sit in third, 5 ½ games in back of Elizabethton (MIN).

Reliever Juan Alvarez (L, 2-2) allowed all four runs, including a three-run home run that was one of his three hits and a walk allowed in his only inning on the bump.  Starter Colin Schmid tossed the first seven innings, permitting three runs on seven hits and a base-on-balls with six strikeouts.

The Appy Birds were limited to four hits, led by Nolan Gorman, who singled twice in four at bats.  The third baseman crossed home once and knocked in two but was unsuccessful in his stolen base attempt.  Defensively, Gorman took part in two double plays.

Monday’s games:  doubleheader at fourth-place Bristol (19-24) (PIT), 6:00 pm ET, TBA/TBA

GCL Cardinals 17 vs. GCL Nationals 7

The Gulf Cardinals prevailed in a combined 32-hit slugfest to down the GCL Nationals, 17-7.  The Cardinals (27-12) remain atop the East Division, six games in front of the Astros.

The home team generated 19 hits, including four doubles and four home runs.  In his third game as a Cardinal, right fielder Jhon Torres led the attack, going 4-for-6 with two doubles and a three-run long ball.  Torres crossed home four times and knocked in five.

Carlos Soler and Raffy Ozuna had two hits apiece. Soler doubled twice in four at bats with two runs scored and Ozuna went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI.  Peoria outfielder Angel Moreno began his rehab assignment by going 1-for-2 with a solo bomb and sac bunt before being removed for pinch hitter in the sixth.  His replacement, William Jimenez, went 2-for-2 with a home run.  The final Gulf Bird to go yard was catcher Brandon Purcell, whose only hit in five at bats was a three-run long ball.

Brian Pirela hurled six solid innings to improve his record to 7-0.  Pirela allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits and two free passes.  Jose Geronimo and Chris Rivera each gave up two runs during their inning on the bump but Ty Cohen tossed a clean ninth.

Monday’s game:  vs.  third-place GCL Mets (20-20), 10:00 am ET, Edwar Ramirez (0-1, 6.14)

DSL Cardinals Blue – off

The Dominican Summer League does not play on Sundays.

Monday’s game:  DSL Rockies (19-35) at DSL Cardinals Blue (36-18), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (4-1, 4.24)

DSL Cardinals Red – off

The Dominican Summer League is idle on Sundays.

Monday’s game:  DSL Cardinals Red (28-25) at DSL Brewers (32-22), 10:30 am ET, TBA

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Johnson City Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 7

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photo: Alex Fagalde (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

St. Louis’ minors went 4-5 on Thursday.  In their first outings at new levels, Player of the Day Alex Fagalde and Jake Dahlberg pitched Palm Beach and Peoria, respectively, to victories. Recently-promoted Jake Woodford spun six scoreless in Memphis’ win, as well.

Results from the games played Thursday, August 2^nd.

Memphis 4 vs. Sacramento 0

A trio of Redbirds’ hurlers combined on a three-hitter for a 4-0 shutout of the River Cats at AutoZone Park Thursday night.  The win evens the series at one game apiece with one yet to play.  Memphis (69-41) remains 14 ½ games ahead of Nashville (OAK) who has won four straight.

Jake Woodford (W, 3-2) struck out six through six frames, yielding three hits and a walk while tossing 57 of his 85 pitches for strikes.  The righty also hit a batter.  Matt Bowman retired all four batters faced, fanning two.  Two of the five outs recorded by Tommy Layne (S, 3) were strikeouts.

The home team’s nine hits were divided among four players, with three players having two apiece in four at bats:  Adolis Garcia, Lane Thomas and Wilfredo Tovar.  Garcia and Thomas both doubled twice with the former knocking in two and Tovar scored once.  It was Thomas’ fourth game since being promoted from Double-A Springfield, during which time the outfielder is batting .400.  Patrick Wisdom’s 14^th home run of the season with Carson Kelly (walk) aboard provided some breathing room in the eighth.

Friday’s game:  vs. Sacramento (45-65) (SF), 7:05 pm CT, Austin Warner (0-0, 4.50)

Springfield 1 at Northwest Arkansas 9

The S-Cards opened their four-game set at Northwest Arkansas by absorbing a 9-1 pummeling.  Springfield (18-23) is in third place in the North Division, 6 ½ games behind Tulsa (LAD).

Matt Pearce was charged with his third loss in as many decisions, permitting six tallies on nine hits and a base-on-balls over five innings.  Roel Ramirez allowed a run on a lead-off double and two-out single in the sixth.  The right-hander also threw a wild pitch in his organizational debut.  Eric Carter surrendered a two-run bomb that was one of his two hits and a free pass given up in two frames.

The visitors generated eight hits to go with six free passes but were a dismal 0-for-15 runners in scoring position.  Tommy Edman and Andrew Knizner each had two hits but the three batters between them in the order went a combined 1-for-10.  Shane Billings singled in four at bats and scored the only run in his first Double-A start.

Friday’s game:  at fourth-place Northwest Arkansas (15-25) (KC), 7>05 pm CT, Casey Meisner (0-0, 4.50)

Palm Beach 1 vs. Daytona 0

Alex Fagalde was impressive in his Florida State League debut as the Beach Birds edged the Tortugas, 1-0, in the decisive third game of the series.  Third-place Palm Beach (18-21) kept pace with surging Charlotte (TB) with the win, as the Stone Crabs have a seven-game winning streak.

Player of the Day Fagalde (W, 1-0) faced two over the minimum through six, yielding a single to open the contest and another single with one gone the next inning.  The 24-year-old proceeded to set down 14 straight from Daytona (19-21) before walking a batter to begin the seventh.  Fagalde departed after hitting his next opponent, finishing the night with six strikeouts, three ground- and seven fly- ball outs.  61 of Fagalde’s 88 pitches went for strikes.

John Kilichowski allowed a single to his first batter but struck out the next one before giving way to Austin Sexton.  Sexton escaped the bases-loaded jam in his return to Palm Beach from Springfield, retiring all five batters faced.  Bryan Dobzanski struck out three for his first A-Advanced save.

The PB-Cards offense managed just five hits but three came in the second and two produced their only score.  Ryan McCarvel singled to right with two gone and advanced to second via a wild pitch.  Stefan Trosclair’s single drove in McCarvel.  Left fielder Conner Capel reached base twice in his organizational debut, singling once in three at bats with a walk out of the five hole.

Friday’s game:  at sixth-place Jupiter (14-23) (MIA), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 3 vs. Cedar Rapids 2

Jake Dahlberg went seven strong frames in his full-season debut as the Chiefs slipped past the Kernels, 3-2.  Second-place Peoria (24-14) has won the first two of the three-game series versus first-place Cedar Rapids (MIN) whom they trail by just two games in the West Division standings.

Dahlberg (W, 1-0) fanned six while allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and a base-on-balls.  The lefty threw 90 pitches, 61 for strikes.  Zach Prendergast and Fabian Blanco tossed a clean frame each, with Blanco striking out two for his seventh save.

Wood Myers and Rayder Ascanio each had two of the team’s eight hits. Myers went 2-for 4 with a double and two RBI.  Zach Kirtley doubled once in three at bats with a walk, run scored and one knocked in.  Kolten Wong went 0-for-3 with a walk in his first and possibly only rehab appearance.  The second baseman is scheduled to be activated in time for Friday’s contest at Pittsburgh.

Friday’s game:  vs. Cedar Rapids (27-13), 7:00 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (7-7, 5.09)

Auburn 7 at State College 1 (7) – Game 1       
Auburn 6 at State College 0 (7) – Game 2

The Spikes suffered a double-header sweep at the hands of the visiting Doubledays on Thursday, losing Game 1, 7-1, and the nightcap, 6-0.   Fourth-place State College (19-27) has dropped the first two of four against Auburn, falling 10 games in back of the pace set by Mahoning Valley (CLE).

Michael Baird (L, 0-2) took the loss in the opener, allowing three tallies on six hits, including a solo shot, and an intentional free pass through five.  Kevin Hamann pretty much put the game out of reach during his two-inning stint, permitting four runs on four hits and two free passes.

Justin Toerner was the only Spike with more than one of the team’s five hits, going 2-for-3 while batting third.  First baseman Stanley Espinal went 1-for-3 and scored the only run, driven in by Wadye Infante.

The offense was even worse in the finale as the team had just three singles, including one by Toerner.

Edgar Gonzalez (L, 1-1) lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his first start after 10 relief appearances.  The California native was touched for three runs on six hits and a walk.  Winston Nicacio stranded two inherited runners but yielded a run on a hit and two base-on-balls in 2 2/3.  Eli Kraus permitted two tallies on four hits and two free passes in 2 2/3.

Friday’s game:  vs. second-place Auburn (25-20) (WSH), 7:05 pm ET, Diego Cordero (2-1, 5.40)

Johnson City 5 vs. Elizabethton 3 (7) – Game 1         
Johnson City vs. Elizabethton – Game 2 (suspended)

Leandro Cedeno’s big bomb gave the JC-Cards a 5-3 walk-off victory over the Twins in Game 1 of a scheduled twin bill on Thursday.  The second contest was suspended after two due to rain with the game knotted at one all.   It is scheduled to be completed as part of a double-header when the Appy Birds visit the Twins on August 19th.  Johnson City (18-21) moved into third with the win, six games behind Elizabethton (23-14).

Nolan Gorman’s ninth home run gave his team a 2-0 lead after one, with the bomb scoring Jonatan Machado (double).  The third baseman also doubled in four at bats.

But Elizabethton responded with a two-run long ball of their own off starter Tommy Parsons the very next inning.  Johnson City went back up 3-2 after Gorman doubled and scored on Leandro Cedeno’s RBI single in the fifth.  But Parsons let the Twins re-tie the game with a tally in his sixth and final inning of work, allowing six hits overall but not issuing a free pass.

But the home team was not done.  Machado’s second hit in four at bats was a lead-off single.  After Gorman struck out swinging, Cedeno finished it with a home run to right center, his eighth long ball of the season.  That made a winner out of Parker Kelly (W, 4-1), who faced the minimum in the top of the frame.

Friday’s game:  at fifth-place Greeneville (17-23) (CIN), 7:00 pm ET, Kyle Leahy (1-1, 3.66)

GCL Cardinals – off

The first-place Gulf Coast League Cardinals (25-10) take their three-game winning streak into a scheduled double-header versus the second-place GCL Astros, a team they lead by 6 ½.  The second contest completes a scoreless July 24^th contest that was suspended at the sixth-s midpoint.

Friday’s games:  vs. second-place GCL Astros (19-17).  Game 1 – 12:00 pm ET, TBA/TBA

DSL Mets1 4 at DSL Cardinals Blue 2

The C-Blue fell to the DSL Mets1, 4-2, their fourth loss in their last five games.  The Cardinals Blue (34-18) are 1 ½ games behind the Twins in the South Division standings.

Julio Puello was outstanding during his six scoreless innings on the mound, holding the third-place DSL Mets1 (31-21) to a hit and walk.  But the 1-0 lead the righty handed over to the bullpen did not stand up another inning.  Derek Diaz yielded a game-tying tally on a hit and two walks with one out recorded.  The runner scored under Luis Tena’s (BS, 2) watch, Tena matching Diaz’ hit and two walks allowed but in 1 2/3.

The C-Blue took a 2-1 lead after eight but Larimel Soriano (BS, 1) (L, 2-2) was unable to convert his first save opportunity.  Instead the 18-year-old was charged with three runs on three hits and three free passes while retiring two.  Saniel Santana recorded the last out but not before issuing a free pass that forced across the fourth Mets run.

Three C-Blue players each had two of the team’s seven hits:  Darlin Moquete, Malcom Nunez and Freddy De Jesus.  Moquete scored once in four at bats with a stolen base while Nunez and De Jesus both drove in one with Nunez working a free pass.

Friday’s game:  at sixth-place DSL Yankees (22-30), 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (2-2, 3.96)

DSL Cardinals Red 2 at DSL Tigers1 5

The C-Red dropped a 5-2 road decision to the sixth-place DSL Tigers1, 5-2.  The fourth-place Cardinals Red (27-24) have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and sit 7 ½ in back of the Rangers2.

Martin Cordova took the loss, his first in seven decisions.  The 19-year-old permitted five runs, four earned, on six hits and a base-on-balls in five.  Roy Garcia held the Tigers1 (23-28) scoreless over two innings, striking out three before Hector De Los Santos tossed a one-two-three eighth.

The C-Red outhit their opponents, nine to six, but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.  Jesus Orecchia singled twice in four at bats with an RBI and Joerlin De Los Santos went 2-for-5 at the top of the order.  Franklin Soto’s only hit in four at bats was his sixth triple of 2018, and the second baseman touched home once.

Friday’s game:  vs. first-place DSL Rangers2 (35-17), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Ivan Herrera (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

St. Louis’ minors finished July by going 3-5 on Thursday.  The potent hitting of Ivan Herrera and Victor Garcia led the GCL Cardinals to victory as did Cristhian Longa for DSL Red. Palm Beach walked off with a win but even Nolan Gorman’s efforts could not prevent Johnson City’s loss.

Results from the games played Tuesday, July 31^st.

Memphis – off

Memphis (68-40) came off a 3-3 road trip to open a seven-game home stand versus Sacramento (SF) and Fresno (HOU).  The two teams are at opposite ends of the Pacific Northern Division with Sacramento in fourth and last place while Fresno holds an eight-game advantage over their nearest competition.

Wednesday’s game: vs. Sacramento (44-64), 7:05 pm CT, Chris Ellis (3-2, 3.40)

Tulsa 7 at Springfield 6

Springfield (17-22) could not overcome an early deficit in their 7-6 loss to Tulsa.  Each team has won one of the first two games with one remaining.

Four of the seven runs charged to Mike O’Reilly (L, 3-6) during his four-inning stint were produced by two long balls.  They were two of the seven hits and two walks allowed by the Flagler College product.

A quartet of S-Card relievers shared pitching duties the rest of the way.  Ramon Santos struck out five in two innings which negated the three hits and a base-on-balls permitted.  Austin Sexton and Junior Fernandez each fanned two during their respective one inning of work before Seth Elledge faced the minimum in his second organizational appearance.

The home team garnered 12 hits, paced by leadoff man Tommy Edman, who accounted for three tallies by going 3-for-5 with a double, run scored and two RBI.  The shortstop also swiped his 23^rd base.  Defensively, he committed his 17^th bobble.

The two others with more than one hit were Andrew Knizner, who went 2-for-5 while touching home twice and Victor Roache, who singled twice in three at bats with a walk and one driven in.  John Nogowski’s only hit in five at bats was a two-run bomb that got Springfield on the board in the first.

Wednesday’s game: vs. Tulsa (23-15) (LAD), 6:30 pm CT, Anthony Shew (5-6, 4.37)

Palm Beach 5 vs. Daytona 4

Dylan Carlson’s RBI single gave Palm Beach (17-20) a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Tortugas in the series opener.

The liner drove in Juan Yepez (hit-by-pitch) and was Carlson’s only hit in five at bats.  The run completed a rally in which the Beach Birds scored five times in the final three frames, all off Daytona’s bullpen.

Carlson, Stefan Trosclair and Ryan McCarvel each had two of the team’s nine hits, with Carlson singling twice in four at bats with a walk and the game-winning RBI. Trosclair went 2-for-3 with a run scored and stolen base while McCarvel singled and doubled in four at bats, crossing home once.  McCarvel had a chance to win the game a batter earlier but was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice to short.

But it was Yepez who had the most productive night at the plate.  The first baseman was subbed into the game in the top of the sixth and still accounted for five scores, doubling in his only at bat to drive in three and scoring twice.

Bryan Dobzanski (W, 2-0) utilized two K’s to maneuver around two hits for a scoreless ninth.  Jake Walsh tossed the initial six innings, with all four tallies charged to him coming in the third.  The right-hander yielded six hits, including a two-run home run, and issued two free passes.  Jason Zgardowski bridged the two-inning gap between Walsh and Dobzanski.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Daytona (18-20) (CIN), 6:30 pm ET, Evan Guillory (1-2, 8.89)

Peoria 4 at Clinton 5

The Chiefs rallied for a late tie only to suffer a 5-4 walk-off road loss at Clinton (19-18), for a split of the four-game set.

Peoria (22-14) scored three times in the sixth and seventh to knot the game at four all.  That score stood until the game’s final three outs when Ben Yokley (L, 1-1) gave up a one-out walk immediately followed by consecutive singles.  Three of the four outs recorded by Yokley came via strikeout.

Paul Balestrieri started and allowed four tallies, three earned, on eight hits and two free passes through five.  Patrick Dayton matched Balestrieri’s five K’s but did it in two scoreless frames.

The Chiefs’ eight team hits were divided among five players, as three players had two hits apiece:  Luken Baker, Elehuris Montero and J.R. Davis.  Baker went 2-for-5 with a double and RBI while Montero and Davis both went 2-for-4, with Montero doubling once and Baker launching a solo shot.  All three players touched home once.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. first-place Cedar Rapids (27-11) (MIN), 7:00 pm CT, Alvaro Seijas (3-6, 4.63)

Batavia 4 at State College 1

The Spikes’ five-game winning streak was snapped by a 4-1 loss to the Muckdogs.  The two teams have split the first two contests of the home series with one on tap.

The game was decided late as the score was knotted at 1-1 through seven. In that frame, Eli Kraus (L, 0-1) did not retire a batter, yielding a hit and walk resulting in one run.  Kevin Hamann gave up two more, one earned, the next inning on four hits and an intentional base-on-balls.

That spoiled a solid performance by Jacob Schlesener, who held the opposition to a single run on six hits and two walks over 5 1/3.  The lefty fanned five.  Gabe Gentner aided Schlesener’s line by leaving the bases loaded in the sixth, and the California native struck out three in 1 2/3.

State College (19-24) generated seven hits with five of them were by two players:  Nick Dunn and Justin Toerner.  Dunn went 3-for-5 with a double and scored the only tally and Toerner singled twice in four at bats.  Kevin Woodall was hitless in three at bats in his New York-Penn League debut.  The right fielder committed a throwing error as well.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Batavia (18-25) (MIA), 12:00 pm ET, Jim Voyles (3-3, 3.14)

Elizabethton 8 at Johnson City 5

Johnson City (17-21) began its three-game home series versus Elizabethton with an 8-5 defeat.

Starter Dionis Zamora lasted just 2 1/3 innings, permitting four runs, two earned, on seven hits and three walks.  One of his seven hits was a home run with the bases empty.

David Oca (L, 1-4) left Zamora’s last two runners on base but was touched for three runs of his own on three hits and a base-on-balls in 1 2/3 plus frames.  Evan Sisk recorded three outs, stranding one of two inherited runners before Junior Gonzalez tossed two clean frames.  Enrique Perez hurled a scoreless eighth but Juan Alvarez surrendered a solo shot the next inning.

The Appy Birds banged out 10 hits, led by Nolan Gorman who went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, one run scored and two driven in.  Leandro Cedeno and Zach Jackson both went 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls, with Cedeno knocking in two and Jackson scoring one and driving in another.  Andrew Warner singled once in four at bats with a run scored in his first Appalachian League contest.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. first-place Elizabethton (23-13) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 17 at GCL Nationals 11

Hitting and a lack of defense were at the forefront in the Gulf Birds’ 17-11 victory over the GCL Nationals (14-21).

Each team banged out 15 hits and each pitching staff gave up 11 earned runs.  The difference proved to be the Gulf Nationals ‘out-miscued’ the GCL Cardinals (24-10), three errors to two and their staff allowed six unearned tallies.

The visitors’ offense was led by co-Players of the Day Ivan Herrera and Victor Garcia who had four hits each.  Herrera did a bit more damage, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and a two-run bomb, crossed home four times and knocked in two.  Garcia singled four times in six at bats with three runs scored.

Right behind the pair was Josh Shaw, who accounted for six runs.  The second baseman went 3-for-5 with a sac fly, touched home twice and garnered four RBI.

It took six Gulf Cardinals’ hurlers to navigate nine innings, beginning with Edwar Ramirez who compiled a relatively mild line of three runs yielded on seven hits and two walks over 3 1/3.  Freddy Pacheco was credited with the win and deservedly so since the righty held the opposition scoreless on two hits with three K’s in 2 1/3.  Pacheco also stranded two inherited runners.

Jose Geronimo recorded the sixth’s last out, leaving Pacheco’s last runner aboard, and that was about the highlight of his performance.  The 20-year-old was touched for six runs on four hits and two walks while retiring three.  Ty Cohen recorded an out but not before allowing all three inherited runners score plus one of his own via the grand salami.

Rodard Avelino was successful in his maiden Gulf Coast League appearance, working around two free passes, two wild pitches that did not advance a runner and a balk for a scoreless eighth.  Alex Gallagos allowed a run the next inning.      

Wednesday’s game:  at GCL Mets (19-16), 12:00 pm ET, Perry DellaValle (0-1, 1.86)

DSL Cardinals Blue 1 at DSL Nationals 2

The C-Blue came out on the short end of a rare low-scoring affair, falling to the Nationals, 2-1.

The game was scoreless until the Nationals broke through for a tally against starter Enamnuel Solano in the bottom of the fifth.  Solano absorbed the tough loss, his first in five Dominican Summer League decisions, despite limiting the Nationals (26-24) to a single score on six hits and a walk through seven.  Victor Villanueva gave up what proved to be the difference in the game on three eighth-inning hits.

The Cardinals Blue (33-16) managed just six hits, including two by catcher Jose Zapata.  Zapata singled twice in four at bats with an RBI out of the seven hole.  Defensively, left fielder Jean Selmo was credited with an outfield assist at first.    

Wednesday’s games:  at DSL Mets1 (29-20).  Game one – 10:30 am ET, Hector Soto (5-3, 2.55)/TBA

DSL Cardinals Red 8 vs. DSL D-backs2 3

Cristhian Longa had a big day at the plate as the C-Red flew past the D-backs2, 8-3.

The 18-year-old catcher was responsible for three tallies, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and one knocked in.  Joerlin De Los Santos and Luis Andujar had two hits apiece, with De Los Santos singling twice in five at bats while touching home two times and driving in one.  Andujar had one of his team’s two extra-base hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, walks, run scored and his fifth stolen base.  The Cardinals (27-22) had 11 hits in all.

Luis Ortiz (W, 2-4) rebounded from a sub-par outing in which he could not finish the fifth by tossing a strong six-inning effort.  The righty yielded three runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out six and not issuing a free pass.  Wilman Madera held the D-backs2 (17-33) to a hit and two walks over the final three frames for his third save.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Tigers1 (23-27), 10:30 am ET, Jose Moreno (2-3, 5.00)

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photo: Evan Kruczynski (Palm Beach Cardinals)

Player of the Day Evan Kruczynski’s Double-A debut effort shone brightest on a Monday night of stellar pitching performances as the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-4.  Chris Holba and Hector Villalobos were key in State College’s win as was Brian Pirela for the GCL club.  Peoria lost despite Angel Rondon’s strong effort.

Results from the games played Monday, July 30^th.

Memphis 8 at Las Vegas 10

The Redbirds’ bullpen could not hold a late lead as they were clipped by the 51s, 10-8, in the rubber game of the series.  Memphis (68-40) remains 15 ½ games ahead of second-place Nashville (OAK) in the American Southern Division.

Shoddy defense played a large role in the defeat, too, with the visitors committing an eye-popping five bobbles, resulting in eight unearned tallies.  Matt Bowman (L, 0-1) could not hold a 7-5 seventh-inning lead, surrendering three runs, two earned, while giving up two hits and a walk in 1 1/3.

Connor Jones had mixed results in his Triple-A debut, striking out six but lasting just four plus innings with three unearned scores allowed on five hits and three free passes issued.  Hector Mendoza was not effective, permitting two runners to reach via an error and hit batsman in just a third of an inning.  Tommy Layne served up a bases-clearing double that brought Jones’ final plus both of Mendoza’s runners across home.

Usually steady Edward Mujica (BS, 3) was not able to bail out Bowman, letting both inherited runners score plus two of his own (unearned) while retiring just one batter.  Landon Beck worked around two hits for a scoreless eighth.

The Redbirds outhit Las Vegas (52-56) 13 to 12, but fell prey to their own defensive ineptitude.  Four players had two hits each:  Lane Thomas, Oscar Mercado, Wilfredo Tovar and Steven Baron.  One of Thomas’ hits was a solo bomb, his first at Triple-A, while Edmundo Sosa went yard with two aboard.  Defensively, Mercado, Tovar and Adolis Garcia each committed a bobble and Max Schrock committed two.

As the MLB trade deadline nears, Carson Kelly sat out Monday and Tyler O’Neill did not play for a second consecutive game. Patrick Wisdom has only appeared twice in the last week, both times as a pinch-hitter – for what that is all worth.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

Springfield 6 vs. Tulsa 3

Evan Kruczynski tossed seven scoreless in his Double-A debut as the S-Cards defeated the Drillers, 6-3, in the first of their three-game series.  Third-place Springfield (17-21) has gone 8-2 over their last 10 games, including four straight over Tulsa, to climb to within 5 ½ of the Drillers.

Kruczynski, our Player of the Day, baffled his opponents on two hits and two walks while striking out eight.  The southpaw plunked one batter and threw 60 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

The home team lost their bid for a shutout in the eighth when Eric Carter served up a three-run long ball.  Derian Gonzalez tossed a one-two-three ninth for his first Triple-A save.

Kruczynski’s impressive display was supported by Springfield’s offense to the tune of nine hits and three walks.  Randy Arozarena and Andy Young both went 2-for-4, the former scoring once and each player garnering an RBI.

Tommy Edman had a productive night despite going just 1-for-4.  The shortstop scored three times and swiped two bases.  A two-run home run by Victor Roache was the only S-Card hit to go for extra bases.  Jose Martinez went hitless in four at bats while manning third in his Double-A debut after jumping directly from class A Peoria.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. first-place Tulsa (22-15) (LAD), 6:30 pm CT, Mike O’Reilly (3-5, 4.65)

Palm Beach – off

Third-place Palm Beach (16-20) will look to bounce back from a tough road series against Tampa (NYY) in which they won only one of the four games with a three-game set versus Daytona (CIN) at Roger Dean Stadium.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Daytona (18-19), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 3 at Clinton 4 (11)

The Chiefs could not hold a ninth-inning lead, leading to a 4-3 walk-off defeat at Clinton in 11 innings.  Peoria (22-13) leads the series, two games to one, and remains in second, three games behind Cedar Rapids (MIN).

Fabian Blanco began the ninth seeking his seventh save but instead was saddled with his fourth blown save.  The righty yielded a run on two hits that sent the game into extras.  C.J. Saylor (L, 0-2) navigated around a hit for a scoreless 10^th but could not duplicate that feat the next inning.

Angel Rondon tossed six strong frames, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits, two walks and two wild pitches.  The 20-year-old struck out seven with seven ground- and three fly- ball outs.  Robbie Gordon fanned three over two frames, allowing two hits, before handing the ball off to Blanco.

The Chiefs matched the LumberKings’ 10 hits with four players gathering two apiece:  Wood Myers, Elehuris Montero, Dennis Ortega and Zach Kirtley.  Montero and Ortega each doubled once in four at bats with Montero scoring one time.  Midwest League Player of the Week Yariel Gonzalez’ only hit in five at bats was a two-run bomb, his 10^th of the season and third in three games.

Tuesday’s game:  at fifth-place Clinton (18-18) (SEA), 6:30 pm CT, Paul Balestrieri (7-4, 3.93)

State College 3 vs. Batavia 0

Chris Holba and Hector Villalobos combined on a five-hitter as the Spikes blanked the Muckdogs, 3-0, in the home series opener.  State College (19-23) is riding a five-game winning streak during which they have risen to third place in the Pinckney Division, but are still 7 ½ in back of Mahoning Valley (CLE).

In Holba’s noteworthy effort, the East Carolina product limited Batavia to four hits over six innings, and earned his second win in three decisions.  The right-hander fanned six and was a groundball machine, garnering nine groundball outs to no flyball outs.  Villalobos struck out five over the last three frames for his first professional save.

The Spikes generated eight hits. Nick Dunn singled twice in five at bats at the top of the order, touched home one time and drove in one while Brady Whalen went 2-for-4 out of the seven hole.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. fourth-place Batavia (17-25) (MIA), 7:05 pm ET, Jacob Schlesener (1-3, 4.58)

Johnson City – off

Johnson City (17-20), tied for third in the Appalachian League West Division with Bristol (PIT), enjoyed a day off before facing first-place Elizabethton (MIN) for a three-game home series.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Elizabethton (22-13), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 4 vs. GCL Marlins 3 (5)

Ivan Herrera was perfect at the plate as the Gulf Birds topped the fifth-place Gulf Marlins (12-23), 4-3, in a rain-shortened five-inning affair.  The first-place GCL Cardinals (23-10) lead the East Division by five games over the GCL Mets.

Number three hitter Herrera singled three times in three at bats, scored a run and swiped his first bag of 2018.  The 18-year-old catcher now has a line of .343/.396/.444/.840 in 81 at bats over 20 games.

Clean-up batter Andrew Warner’s only hit in two at bats was a bomb with Herrera aboard in the home half of the fifth that flipped a 3-2 loss into a 4-3 victory.  The designated hitter worked a free pass and struck out once.  Peoria outfielder Scott Hurst’s rehab continued with a 1-for-3 and one run scored effort.

Brian Pirela (W, 6-0) went the abbreviated distance for the GCL Cardinals, yielding three tallies on eight hits while striking out six.  The native Venezuelan did not issue a free pass.

Tuesday’s game: at fourth-place GCL Nationals (14-20), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

DSL Nationals 8 at DSL Cardinals Blue 6

Three unearned tallies were the difference between victory and defeat as the C-Blue fell to the DSL Nationals, 8-6.  The Cardinals Blue (33-15) dropped a game behind first-place Twins with the loss.

All three unearned scores resulted from passed balls charged to catcher Luis Rodriguez, who had four in total.  Inohan Paniagua tossed the initial three plus frames, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits and two walks.  Paniagua fanned five.

Angel Ortega pitched the middle third, giving up two tallies, one earned, on four hits and stranded one of two inherited runners.  Josue Ramirez hurled two scoreless frames, permitting a hit before Saniel Santana (L, 0-2) surrendered two runs, one earned, in the ninth.

The C-Blue’s 12-hit attack was led by Carlos Soler, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles and crossed home twice.  Jean Selmo reached base four times, singling three times in four at bats with a base-on-balls, run scored and RBI.

The final C-Blue with a multi-hit performance was hit-hitting newcomer Malcom Nunez, who went 2-for-3 with a free pass, double, run and RBI.  Defensively, centerfielder Soler was credited with an outfield assist at second.

Tuesday’s game:   at fourth-place DSL Nationals (25-24), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (4-0, 5.00)

DSL Cardinals Red 1 at DSL D-backs2 6

The C-Red suffered a lopsided defeat for the second consecutive day, this one a 6-1 loss to the DSL D-backs2.  The fourth-place Cardinals Red (26-22) trail the Rangers2 by six games in the San Pedro Division.

The pitching was solid through the first three frames, with Miguel Maiz holding the opposition to a run on four hits with five K’s.  But the downward slide commenced the next inning, a frame Gustavo L. Rodriguez (L, 0-1) could not finish.  Rodriguez struggled in just his second pro appearance, yielding three runs, two earned, on two hits and two free passes while retiring two.

Jhon Victorino was next pitcher up, and he gave up two runs on two hits and a walk in 3 1/3.  Victorino did damage control by leaving Rodriguez’ last two runners aboard.  Augusto Calderon worked around a hit batsman and two-out single for a scoreless eighth.

The C-Red managed just four hits, with two in the first when they scored their only run.  Joerlin De Los Santos singled to open the game, stole his 20^th base and took third on an errant throw.  Franklin Soto singled up the middle, driving in De Los Santos and that was pretty much all of the offense.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. seventh-place DSL D-backs2 (17-32), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Adolis Garcia (Scott Rovak/USA TODAY Sports)

St. Louis’ minors went 3-6 on Thursday.  Player of the Day Adolis Garcia’s three-bomb effort led Memphis to victory while Jacob Schlesener’s and Tommy Parsons’ starts were key to wins by State College and Johnson City.  Palm Beach fell despite a strong effort by Jake Walsh while Paul Balestrieri’s solid performance was not enough to lift Peoria.

Results from the games played Thursday, July 26^th.

Memphis 12 at Salt Lake 3

Player of the Day Adolis Garcia had a three-home run night as the Redbirds unloaded on the Bees, 12-3, in the rubber game of the series.  Memphis (66-38) leads Round Rock (TEX) by 15 games in the American Southern Division.

The game was competitive in the early-to-mid going with the visitors holding a 5-3 advantage after five.  But seven tallies in the next three frames blew the contest wide open.  Garcia was responsible for eight of those runs, starting with a three-run first-inning bomb.   The right fielder topped that with a grand slam in the sixth and finished with a solo shot.  Garcia’s final line was 3-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and eight RBI.

The three homers and eight driven in both tied Memphis team records, with the latter much rarer (only once before by Tagg Bozied in 2007). As recently as earlier this week, Tyler O’Neill went deep three times.

Not to be missed in Garcia’s outstanding performance were fine efforts by Oscar Mercado and Alex Mejia.  Both players posted identical marks by going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run that was one of their two runs scored.  Rangel Ravelo and Luke Voit had two hits apiece as well.

Chris Ellis (W, 3-2) battled control problems, walking six in five innings but limiting the damage to three runs on five hits.  Andrew Morales and Landon Beck each tossed two frames, with Beck striking out three.

Friday’s game:  at Las Vegas (50-54) (NYM), 8:05 pm MT, Jake Woodford (1-2, 3.80)

Northwest Arkansas 7 at Springfield 4

The S-Cards fell to the Naturals, 7-4, in the home series opener, snapping their five-game winning streak.  Third-place Springfield (14-20) is 7 ½ games behind Tulsa (LAD) in the North Division standings.

Starter Mike O’Reilly (L, 3-5) fell two outs shy of six complete innings, yielding six runs, four earned, on eight hits and four walks.  Ramon Santos went the next 2 2/3, allowing a score on three hits and two walks.  Two of the three outs recorded by Eric Carter were on strikeouts.

Seven of Springfield’s nine starters had at least one of eight team hits and four players touched home.  Andrew Knizner was one of those four, as the catcher singled twice in four at bats.  Johan Mieses and Andy Young both went yard, Young with Knizner (error) aboard.

Friday’s game:  vs. fourth-place Northwest Arkansas (11-22) (KC), 7:10 pm CT, Anthony Shew (5-5, 4.10)

Palm Beach 4 at Tampa 6

The Beach Birds were grounded by the Yankees, 6-4, in the road series opener.  Palm Beach (15-18) remains in third, three games behind Charlotte (TB).

Jake Walsh tossed six strong frames, giving up two runs on seven hits and two free passes with five K’s.  John Kilichowski recorded four outs but yielded two runs on two hits and a walk.  His final run scored with Estarlin Arias (BS, 1) (L, 1-1) on the mound. Arias was charged with two runs on two hits and two free passes in just 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan McCarvel and Irving Lopez each had two of their squad’s six hits, both players singling twice in four at bats with an RBI.  Kramer Robertson went 1-for-3 with a walk, double and one knocked in but was picked off first and caught stealing.

Friday’s game:  at Tampa (17-16) (NYY), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Wisconsin 3 at Peoria 1

Three late tallies resulted in the Chiefs’ 3-1 loss to the Timber Rattlers, evening the home series at one game each with one to play.  Third-place Peoria (19-12) trails Cedar Rapids (MIN) by four games in the West Division.

Paul Balestrieri continued an evening of strong starts in St. Louis’ minors by fanning eight over six innings.  Balestrieri allowed five hits and a base-on-balls while yielding a run in his final inning of work that tied the game at one all.

C.J. Saylor (L, 0-1) permitted a run in each of his two innings on the mound, with one of his three hits a solo bomb.  Robbie Gordon gave up a hit in the ninth.

Elehuris Montero and Zach Kirtley accounted for Peoria’s only run.  Montero worked a base-on-balls to begin the fourth, stole second and scored on a single by Kirtley.  Peoria had just six hits in all with lead-off batter J.R. Davis having two in four at bats.

Note: Brian Walton provided his commentary and photos from this game for TCN members.

Walton’s Log – 11 Games in 11 Days – Peoria Chiefs

Friday’s game:  vs. sixth-place Wisconsin (15-17) (MIL), 7:00 pm CT, Alvaro Seijas (3-6, 4.83)

State College 6 at Connecticut 0

Jacob Schlesener struck out seven in five innings as the Spikes declawed the Tigers, 6-0, salvaging the third and final game of the road series.  State College (15-23) moves into a fourth-place tie with Williamsport (PHI) with the win, 9 ½ games in back of Mahoning Valley (CLE).

A trio of Spikes’ pitchers combined on a two-hitter beginning with Schlesener (W, 1-3), who allowed just three base runners during his five innings on the bump.  The lefty permitted a hit and walk while hitting one batter.  Eli Kraus gave up a hit in the sixth before handing the ball to Franyel Casadilla, who fanned three and walked two over the last three innings for his first save.

Three Spikes each had two of the team’s eight hits:  Delvin Perez, Brady Whalen and Brandon Benson.  Perez and Whalen both went 2-for-5, Perez – the number two batter – driving in two and clean-up hitter Whalen doubling once with a run scored.  Benson went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, run scored and two RBI out of the eight hole.  Benson was one of three State College players to swipe a base, joined by Justin Toerner and Wadye Ynfante.

Friday’s game:  at Lowell (21-18) (BOS), 6:35 pm CT, Jim Voyles (2-3, 3.41)

Johnson City 2 at Pulaski 1

Tommy Parsons tossed six strong frames as the JC-Cards edged the Yankees, 2-1, in the decisive third game of the away series.  Johnson City (16-18) is tied for third with Bristol (PIT), five games behind Elizabethton (MIN).

Making his fourth consecutive start after four appearances out of the bullpen, Parsons has improved each time out.  On Thursday, the non-drafted free agent signee held Pulaski (16-20) to a single fifth-inning score on two of his five total hits and one walk permitted.  Parsons struck out four.  Michael Brettell and Parker Kelly handled pitching duties the rest of the way. Kelly earned his second save.

The Appy Birds hitters could not get untracked during the Yankees starter’s five-inning stint but finally broke through for two sixth-inning scores.  Jonatan Machado opened with a single, racing home from first on Kevin Woodall’s ninth double.  Carlos Soto’s two-out double drove in Woodall for the final margin.

Johnson City had 10 hits in all, with Woodall going 2-for-3 with a walk, double, run scored and RBI.  Leandro Cedeno was the only other Appy Bird with a multi-hit effort, singling twice in four at bats.  Defensively, right fielder Woodall was credited with an outfield assist at second.

Friday’s game: vs. Danville (18-17) (ATL), 7:00 pm ET, Cole Aker (1-0, 0.00)

GCL Nationals 8 at GCL Cardinals 3

Sloppy defense led to the Gulf Birds’ 8-3 loss at Jupiter to the Nationals on Thursday.  The Cardinals (22-9) lead the East Division by 4 ½ games over the Mets.

The top of the seventh began with the contest tied at one all and a new Cardinals’ pitcher on the mound, Freddy Pacheco.  Making just his third Gulf Coast League appearance after being promoted from the Dominican Summer League, Pacheco could not overcome a throwing error, passed ball and his own wild pitch.  The native of Venezuela permitted six runs, all unearned, on two hits, four walks and a sac fly in just 2/3 of an inning.  The big blow was a bases-clearing double that scored three runs and knocked Pacheco out of the game.

It wastes a superb effort by Chris Hunt, who over the initial six frames held the Nats to a single score on two hits.  Chris Rivera pitched the final 2 1/3, yielding a run on two hits with three strikeouts.

The Nationals’ defense was even sloppier than was their hosts’, as three errors resulted in three unearned runs by the Gulf Birds.  The home team managed six hits with rehabbing Scott Hurst responsible for most of the offense.  The Peoria left fielder singled and doubled in two at bats with a base-on-balls and one driven in.  Andrew Warner’s only hit in four at bats was a two-run double that plated William Jimenez and Josh Shaw, who both reached on throwing errors.

Friday’s game:  vs. GCL Mets, 10:00 am ET, Wilfredo Pereira (2-3, 6.84)

DSL Cardinals Blue 0 at DSL Phillies Red 3

The DSL Cardinals Blue mustered just four hits in their 3-0 loss to the Phillies Red (19-27).  The C-Blue (3-14) are in a first-place tie with the Twins.

Malcom Nunez was pretty much the entire offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles while batting third.  His teammates worked six free passes but five of the six walks were by the fifth through ninth batters.

Hector Soto was saddled with his third loss against five wins despite a fine effort.  The righty struck out six and did not issue a base-on-balls in six innings while giving up seven hits resulting in three runs, two earned.  Victor Villanueva and Saniel Santana both went an inning, with Santana fanning two.        

Friday’s game:  at DSL Angels (14-30), 10:30 am ET, Julio Puello (4-0, 1.40)

DSL Phillies White 8 at DSL Cardinals Red 4

The DSL Cardinals Red could not overcome a big early deficit, falling to the second-place Phillies White (27-17), 8-4.  The fourth-place C-Red (25-20) trail the Rangers2 by 4 ½ games in the San Pedro Division.

Jose Moreno (L, 2-3) retired just five batters, giving up seven runs, six earned, on seven hits and two free passes.  Three of the four C-Red pitchers following Moreno to the mound were not scored upon, but the damage was done.  Wilman Madera fanned four over 3 1/3 scoreless before Hector De Los Santos struck out three over two frames.  Both pitchers yielded two hits and a walk.  Nelson Prada and Sebastian Tabata each tossed an inning.  Prada gave up a tally on two hits, but Tabata hurled a one-two-three ninth with two K’s.

The C-Red generated 10 hits with Joerlin De Los Santos and Franklin Soto both going 3-for-4 with a walk.  De Los Santos crossed home once with one driven in.

Friday’s game:  vs. fifth-place DSL Mets2 (22-24), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Andy Young (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 5-2 on Tuesday as Memphis and Springfield totaled 36 hits and 30 runs scored. Multi-home run hitters include Tyler O’Neill, Rangel Ravelo, Andy Young and Lane Thomas.

Results from the games played Tuesday, July 24^th.

Memphis 14 at Salt Lake 4

Big offensive performances translated into a 14-4 Redbirds’ victory over the Bees in the road series opener.

It was the Night of the Big Bombs as 10 of the team’s 14 runs came via the long ball.  Tyler O’Neill, Rangel Ravelo and Luke Voit each went yard. O’Neill and Ravelo both did it twice and Ravelo and Voit drove in five each.  O’Neill and Ravelo had three hits apiece, in six and four at bats, respectively, Ravelo adding a walk and third run scored.  Voit went 2-for-5 with a free pass, triple and two-run bomb.

The final player with a long ball was Adolis Garcia, who had a solo shot in addition to a triple in six at bats.  Max Schrock and Edmundo Sosa both went 3-for-5. Schrock worked a base-on-balls to go with two doubles and two runs scored while Sosa touched home once with a stolen base.  Carson Kelly reached base four times, going -for-3 with three walks and two runs scored.  Memphis (65-37) had 18 hits in all.

Kevin Herget (W, 7-7) was the recipient of this plethora of offense. The righty somehow held Salt Lake to just three tallies despite giving up nine hits and three walks over five innings.  Matt Bowman fanned four in two scoreless frames, yielding two hits and a free pass but Landon Beck was touched for a run on two hits and a walk during his two innings on the bump.

Wednesday’s game:  at Salt Lake (54-48) (LAA), 7:05 pm MT, Dakota Hudson (13-2, 2.36)

Springfield 16 at Tulsa 5

The S-Cards also generated 18 hits on their way to a 16-5 blowout at Tulsa.  Springfield (13-19) extended its winning streak to four while clinching their three-game series versus the first-place Drillers with one game yet to play.

Taking a page from their Triple-A counterparts, the S-Cards launched six home runs constituting 10 of their 16 tallies.  Andy Young and Lane Thomas each did it twice. Young went 4-for-5 with six RBI and Thomas was 3-for-6 with a triple, two long balls, three runs scored and three knocked in.

The last two Bomb Boys were Evan Mendoza and John Nogowski, who posted nearly identical marks.  Both players went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Nogowski doubled once, worked two free passes and knocked in three.  They were two of five S-Cards with two hits apiece, joining Blake Drake, Johan Mieses and Andrew Knizner.

Making his first Cardinals organization start after five relief appearances, Elniery Garcia tossed the first three frames.  The southpaw permitted two runs, one earned, on two hits while fanning three and not issuing a free pass.

Austin Sexton took the ball over the next 2 2/3 and was credited with the win, his second against no losses.  Sexton yielded a tally on two hits and a base-on-balls.  Hector Mendoza left Sexton’s last two runners on base but surrendered two solo bombs during his 2 1/3-inning stint.  Will Latcham faced the minimum in the ninth.

Wednesday’s game:   at Tulsa (20-11) (LAD), 7:05 pm CT, Connor Jones (5-4, 4.08)

Palm Beach 6 at Daytona 3

The Beach Birds banged out “only” 11 hits on their way to a 6-3 road win over the Tortugas.  Each team has taken one of the first two games with one on tap.

In a balanced effort, all nine starters either had a hit or an RBI.  Palm Beach (14-17) was led by Shane Billings, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored.  On the base paths, Billings was one-for-two in attempted stolen bases.  The only other PB-Card with more than one hit was Jose Godoy, who singled and doubled in four at bats with a walk, touched home once and knocked in one.

It took five Beach Birds hurlers to navigate the game’s nine innings, beginning with Jesus Cruz (W, 3-0) who struck out seven over five frames.  The only mark against the right-hander was a two-run home run in the first inning that comprised one of his five hits and two walks allowed.

Colton Thomson worked around three hits for two clean frames but Yeison Medina was charged with a run on two hits and two free passes while recording two outs.  Jacob Patterson retired all three batters faced, also stranding three inherited runners.  Thomas St. Clair recorded the final out after yielding a hit.

Wednesday’s game:  at Daytona (17-15) (CIN), 7:05 pm ET, Jake Walsh (5-2, 2.16)

Peoria – off

Third-place Peoria (18-11) comes home from a very successful 5-1 road trip to face seventh-place Wisconsin (MIL) in a brief three-game home stand.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Wisconsin (14-16), 7:00 pm CT, TBA

State College 1 at Connecticut 4

Diego Cordero tossed six solid frames but State College (14-22) still fell at Connecticut, 4-1, in the series opener.

Cordero (L, 1-1) generated a quality effort, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk.  Winston Nicacio was touched for an unearned tally during the final two frames.

The Spikes could manufacture nothing against the Tigers’ starter, who held them to just two hits and two walks over the first six innings.  State College finally broke through for a tally in the seventh when Lars Nootbaar worked a one-out free pass, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Brandon Benson’s double.  Delvin Perez was the only Spike with more than one of the team’s six hits, going 2-for-4 out of the two hole.

Note: Brian Walton added his images and commentary on this game for subscribers to The Cardinal Nation here.

Walton’s Log – 11 Games in 11 Days – State College Spikes

Wednesday’s game:  at Connecticut (18-17) (DET), 11:05 am ET, Michael Baird (0-1, 1.86)

Johnson City 9 at Pulaski 3

Johnson City (15-17) exploded for 13 hits as they flew past the Yankees, 9-3, in the first of the three-game road series.

Eight of nine starters got into the act with at least one hit, led by Leandro Cedeno and Kevin Woodall who both launched a home run.  Cedeno’s three hits were tops on the squad, as the first baseman went 3-for-5 with a two-run bomb that was part of his two runs scored and three RBI.  Woodall also went yard with a runner aboard, going 2-for-3 with two walks.

Donivan Williams and Moises Castillo also had two hits apiece.  The Appy Birds were also quite active on the base paths with four players swiping one base each:  Luis Flores, Michael Perri, Williams and Castillo.

Colin Schmid tossed a quality performance, giving up three runs on three hits and three free passes through six.  It was the first professional win for the 13^th round selection in this June’s First-Year Player Draft.

Enrique Perez, Evan Sisk and Parker Kelly finished the game for the JC-Cards.  Perez recorded three outs and Sisk two while Kelly retired all four batters faced for his first save as a professional.

Wednesday’s game:  at Pulaski (15-19) (NYY), 7:00 pm ET, Dionis Zamora (3-2, 4.10)

GCL Cardinals vs. GCL Astros – suspended

A deluge of rain in Jupiter caused Tuesday’s contest between the GCL Cardinals (21-8) and GCL Astros (16-14) to be suspended after four innings.  The score will be 0-0 when play resumes on Sunday, July 29^th before that day’s regularly scheduled game.

Wednesday’s game:  at GCL Marlins (9-20), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

DSL Cardinals Blue 3 at DSL Twins 5

The DSL Cardinals Blue (30-13) fell to the DSL Twins (30-13), 5-3, resulting in a tie atop the South Division.

The contest was knotted at zero until the C-Blue broke through with a two-run seventh.  The Twins grabbed the lead with three in the bottom of the frame but the Cardinals Blue responded with a tally for a 3-3 tie.  The home team had the last word, however, scoring twice in the eighth.

Inohan Paniagua tossed the first quality start of his nascent career, blanking the opposition on two hits and two walks through six.  The 18-year-old rookie struck out four with five ground- and four fly-ball outs.

Unfortunately for the Cards, the bullpen did not match Paniagua’s results.  Larimel Soriano did not retire a batter, walking all four faced.  Josue Ramirez (BS, 2) finished the seventh, but not before allowing two of three inherited runners to score on a ground out and wild pitch.  Luis Tena (L, 0-1) was touched for two runs on two hits and a free pass in his inning of work.

The visitors were held to just three hits, all in the seventh.  Consecutive singles by Carlos Soler and Malcom Nunez were immediately followed by Jean Selmo’s two-run triple.  The eighth’s tally resulted from back-to-back bobbles by the Twins which put Darlin Moquete in position to score on Soler’s sac fly.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Phillies Red (17-26), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (3-0, 5.14) or Angel Cuenca (1-, 4.88)

DSL Cardinals Red 8 vs. DSL Cubs2 5

A four-run eighth propelled the C-Red past the DSL Cubs2, 8-5, on Tuesday morning.

In the back-and-forth battle, the home team twice took the lead only for the DSL Cubs2 (15-27) to twice come back to re-knot the contest.  But a big eighth inning gave the Cardinals Red (25-18) their final lead.

In typical Dominican Summer League fashion, both teams had more walks than hits.  The C-Red garnered six hits to go with eight free passes with two players having two hits each:  Franklin Soto and Cristhian Longa.  Soto doubled twice in four at bats with two runs score and two driven in while Longa went 2-for-3 with a walk, double and triple while crossing home one and knocking in two.  Defensively, right fielder Adanson Cruz was credited with an assist at second but left fielder Luis Montano, third baseman Francisco Hernandez and centerfielder Joerlin De Los Santos were each charged with an error.

Miguel Maiz kicked off a parade of six C-Red pitchers and gave up an unearned score on a hit and two walks over three innings.  Gabriel Contreras issued a free pass to each of his three batters, two of whom touched home on Jhon Victorino’s watch.

Victorino tossed a fine effort for his level, limiting his opponents to two hits and two walks in four frames.  The unearned tally charged to Dionys Rodriguez (BS, 2) (W, 3-0) in the eighth re-tied the game at four. Rodard Avelino and Hector De Los Santos combined to keep the DSL Cubs2 to a single run, with De Los Santos picking up his first save as a result.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Phillies White (25-17), 10:30 am ET, Martin Cordova (5-0, 0.32)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Peoria Chiefs Notebook – 2018 Week 16

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photo: Austin Warner (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

With a light Monday schedule, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-3. The highlight was Springfield’s dominant 8-0 win at Tulsa, powered by Austin Warner’s pitching and the bats of Andrew Knizner and Lane Thomas.

Results from the games played Monday, July 23rd.

Memphis – off

After completing a seven-game home stand in which they went 5-2, first-place Memphis (64-37) heads out on a seven-game Western swing.  First up is the Salt Lake Bees, co-leaders of the Pacific Southern Division for three, before a quartet of contests at Las Vegas (NYM).

Tuesday’s game:   at co-leader (Pacific Southern) Salt Lake (54-47) (LAA), 6:35 pm MT, Kevin Herget (6-7, 3.81)

Springfield 8 at Tulsa 0

Stellar pitching by a Springfield trio combined with Andrew Knizner and Lane Thomas’ big offensive nights resulted in the S-Cards’ 8-0 pasting of the Drillers in the road series opener.  Third-place Springfield (12-19) has a modest three-game winning streak during which time they have moved to 8 ½ back of first-place Tulsa.

Austin Warner (W, 2-3) struck out eight during his six-inning stint, giving up two hits and a base-on-balls.  The southpaw carried a no-hitter into the sixth and has not yielded a tally in 14 innings spanning three contests.  Ramon Santos permitted a hit and walk over the next two frames before Eric Carter fanned the side in his first Double-A action of 2018.

The visitors played long ball, with five of their runs generated by four home runs.  Knizner and Thomas both went yard on nearly identical lines, each player going 3-for-5 with two runs scored.  Knizner launched two solo shots that collected two of his three RBI while Thomas’ solo bomb was one of his two driven in.    John Nogowski also went yard, going 2-for-5 with a two-run blast, the final Springfield player with more than one of the team’s 13 hits.

Tuesday’s game:  at Tulsa (20-10) (LAD), 7:05 pm CT, TBA

Palm Beach 4 at Daytona 6

The PB-Cards opened their three-game series at Daytona with a 6-4 loss.  Palm Beach (13-17) is in third place, 3 ½ behind Charlotte (TB) in the South Division.

Casey Meisner did not finish the fourth, absorbing his third loss in eight decisions.  Meisner permitted four runs, three earned, on five hits and three free passes in 3 1/3.  Jacob Patterson recorded the fourth’s final two outs, leaving Meisner’s last runner on base.

Estarlin Arias struck out three over the next two scoreless innings, giving up two hits.  But Jason Zgardowski allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits despite fanning five through two frames.

Chase Pinder was the only Beach Bird with a multi-hit performance, singling twice in five at bats while touching home once.  Irving Lopez contributed in his Florida State League debut, launching a solo bomb that was his only hit in four at bats.  Shortstop Kramer Robertson, third baseman Danny Hudzina and catcher Brian O’Keefe were each charged with an error.

Tuesday’s game:  at Daytona (17-14) (CIN), 7:05 pm ET, Jesus Cruz (2-0, 4.40)

Peoria 1 at Great Lakes 2 (10 innings)

The Chiefs took a scoreless game into extras only to fall to the Loons, 2-1, in 10.  The defeat prevented a three-game road sweep by third-place Peoria (18-11), which trails Cedar Rapids (MIN) by three games in the Western Division.

The contest featured stellar pitching – and the resulting minimal offense – as both teams combined for just eight hits.  Peoria managed five hits, two by Luken Baker, who singled twice in four at bats.  The first baseman has two multi-hit efforts in as many games since being promoted from the GCL Cardinals.

Baker began the 10^th at second, at which point Andres Luna pinch ran for him and scored the go-ahead run via Yariel Gonzalez’ single, which moved Zach Kirtley (walk) to third.  But Gonzalez was nailed trying to take second on the throw to the plate and Peoria failed to capitalize further.

Fabian Blanco pitched the home half of the 10^th, charged with holding the 1-0 lead.  Instead Blanco was charged with his third blown save and first loss in three decisions.  The righty yielded a single, walk and sac fly.

Alex Fagalde started the game, fanning five through five strong innings while yielding a hit and two walks.  Ben Yokley issued two free passes and struck out three over two frames before lefty Patrick Dayton held Great Lakes (9-22) (LAD) to just one hit during his two innings on the bump.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

State College – off

After taking Monday off, State College (14-21) opens a six-game swing through New England featuring three-game series versus Stedler Division rivals Connecticut (DET) and Lowell (BOS).

Tuesday’s game:  at Connecticut (17-17), 7:05 pm ET, Diego Cordero (1-0, 8.18)

Johnson City 2 at Danville 4

Three tallies against the JC-Cards’ bullpen resulted in a 4-2 loss at Danville (16-16) (ATL).  Johnson City (14-17) still took the road series, two games to one, and are tied for third with Bristol (PIT), five games in back of Elizabethton (MIL).

Brandon Riley’s two-run long ball gave the Appy Birds a 2-1 lead after six but that advantage evaporated when David Oca (BS, 3) (L, 1-3) yielded three runs, one earned, on two hits and a base-on-balls the next inning.  Oca pitched in support of Kyle Leahy, who went the first five frames, giving up a run on three hits and three walks.  Mike Brettell (sixth) and Jacob Sylvester (eighth) each tossed a scoreless frame.

Riley’s bomb was one of only two hits for the JC-Cards and Riley’s only hit in four at bats.  Luis Flores singled once in two at bats and worked a free pass in front of Riley in the sixth.

Tuesday’s game:  at Pulaski (15-18) (NYY), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals – off

The GCL Cardinals (21-8) have a firm grasp of first place in the East Division of the Gulf Coast League.  They lead the GCL Mets (17-13) by 4 ½ games and have gone 8-2 over their last 10 games.    

Tuesday’s game:  vs. third-place GCL Astros (16-14), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

DSL Cardinals Blue 6 vs. DSL Twins 5

The C-Blue rallied for a 6-5 victory over the DSL Twins, their fiercest rival in the South Division.  The victory gave the Cardinals Blue (30-12) sole possession of first place over the Twins by just a game.     

The C-Blue trailed 5-1 going into the home half of the sixth and three outs later, they had the lead.  Five of the team’s seven total hits came that inning, which featured a two-run home run by Diowill Burgos and doubles by Carlos Soler, Malcom Nunez and Luis Rodriguez.  Soler was the only Cardinal with more than one hit, going 2-for-5 with that double, a run scored and one knocked in.

The C-Blue’s defense was a mixed bag.  On the plus side was right fielder Burgos’ assist at second but second baseman Ramon Mendoza and shortstop Pablo Gomez each committed a miscue.

The rally made a winner out of Angel Ortega (W, 3-0) who struck out three in three clean frames.  Francis Ventura pitched the initial five frames, allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits and two walks.  Leonardo Taveras tossed faced the minimum for his sixth save.

Tuesday’s game:  at DSL Twins (29-13), 10:30 am ET, Inohan Paniagua (2-3, 5.08)

DSL Cardinals Red at DSL Cubs2 – suspended

Monday’s scoreless contest between the DSL Cardinals Red (24-18) and the DSL Cubs2 was suspended due to rain with one gone and a runner at second in the top of the third.  The C-Red are tied for third with the DSL Brewers, 2 ½ games behind the DSL Rangers2.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. last-place DSL Cubs2 (15-26), 10:30 am ET, Martin Cordova (5-0, 0.32)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Gulf Coast League Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 5

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photo: Elehuris Montero (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Player of the Day Elehuris Montero’s two home runs gave Peoria one of the St. Louis Cardinals system’s six victories on a busy 10-game Thursday schedule. Palm Beach won behind Andy Young’s long ball while Kevin Woodall and Donivan Williams went yard in Johnson City’s victory.  Andrew Warner’s blast was crucial to the GCL Cards’ win, the DSL Cardinals Blue also won and Memphis split a pair behind another excellent effort by Dakota Hudson.

Results from the games played Thursday, July 19^th.

Memphis 4 vs. Iowa 1 (7) – Game one  
Iowa 3 at Memphis 0 (7) – Game two

The Redbirds split a pair with the Cubs, taking the opener, 4-1, but dropping the finale, 3-0.  Memphis (62-35) took the home series, three games to one, and remain 14 games up on second-place Nashville (OAK) in the standings.

Dakota Hudson (W, 13-2) hurled his usual strong performance, striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings while giving up a run on five hits and a walk.  The righty threw 66 of his 97 pitches for strikes.  Edward Mujica went the last 2/3 of an inning, leaving Hudson’s final runner on base, for his 11^th save.

Half of the team’s scores were generated by Tyler O’Neill’s 20^th Triple-A home run.  It came with Max Schrock (double) on base and was his only hit in three at bats.  Adolis Garcia singled and doubled in three at bats with one driven in, the only Redbird with more than one of nine team hits.

Game two was a make-up of Wednesday’s rain out and became only Memphis’ second loss in 16 games versus Iowa (34-62) this season.  Home runs were the difference as each team had just four hits but the Cubs launched two solo blasts.

Kevin Herget took the complete game loss, his seventh against six wins.  Herget allowed a single and RBI double in the third plus single bombs in the sixth and seventh.  He did not issue a free pass.

Patrick Wisdom had half of his squad’s hits, going 2-for-3 with a double while batting cleanup.  But the next three hitters went a combined 0-for-8 while the number three bat went 0-for-3 just ahead of him.

Friday’s game:  vs. Colorado Springs (53-43) (MIL), 7:05 pm CT, Chris Ellis (2-1, 3.52)

Springfield 4 at Arkansas 10

The S-Cards opened their four-game series at Arkansas by absorbing a 10-4 loss that halted their four-game winning streak.  Springfield (9-18) is in third place in the North Division, 10 ½ games in back of Tulsa (LAD).

Five Springfield pitchers took the mound and all were scored upon.  Sam Tewes went the first four innings, allowing two runs on six hits including a solo long ball.  Landon Beck (L, 2-3) tossed the fifth, surrendering a two-run bomb that was one of his three hits yielded.

Austin Sexton and Junior Fernandez each retired a batter, Sexton permitting three tallies on two hits and a plunked batter while Fernandez’s four free passes issued brought across all three of Sexton’s runners plus one of his own.  Hector Mendoza left the bases jammed in the sixth but was touched for two runs on three hits and a base-on-balls over the last two innings.

Springfield’s offense matched the Travelers’ 14 hits and 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position result, but lacked that one big inning of results.  Ramon Urias’ four-hit night led the club. As a stellar example of the lack of results, the second baseman went 4-for-5 including two doubles but neither scored nor drove in a run.

Third baseman Evan Mendoza went 3-for-4 with a double and walk out of the three spot but, again, no runs scored and none knocked in.  Number two bat Randy Arozarena singled and doubled in in four at bats with a base-on-balls and was driven in twice by John Nogowski, who went 1-for-3 with three RBI.

Friday’s game:  at second-place Arkansas (15-10) (SEA), 7:10 pm CT, Connor Jones (5-3, 3.86)

Palm Beach 3 vs. St. Lucie 1

Andy Young’s two-run home run in the late innings lifted the Beach Birds over the Mets, 3-1, in the home series opener.  Palm Beach (13-15) remains in third place, two games in back of Charlotte (TB) in the tight South Division.

Young’s blast, his 12^th of the season, came with Brian O’Keefe (single) aboard in the bottom of the eighth and snapped a 1-1 tie.  It was his only hit in three at bats to go with one free pass and the team’s only extra-base hit.  Chase Pinder, Stefan Trosclair and O’Keefe all singled twice with O’Keefe working a base-on-balls and adding an RBI to his run scored.

A quartet of PB-Card pitchers joined forces for an excellent effort in which the only run yielded was unearned.  Jake Walsh gave up the unearned tally, permitting four hits and three walks over 5 1/3.  All three outs recorded by Jason Zgardowski came via the K, as he stranded two inherited runners.

Colton Thomson retired three batters, like Zgardowski giving up a hit and base-on-balls but stranding an inherited runner.  Yeison Medina (W, 2-1) set down all five batters faced, leaving Thomson’s two runners aboard.

Friday’s game:  vs. sixth-place St Lucie (10-17) (NYM), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 7 at Lansing 3

Player of the Day Elehuris Montero went yard twice as the Chiefs defeated the Lugnuts, 7-3.  Third-place Peoria (15-10) will go for a three-game road series sweep when the two teams meet Friday evening.

Home runs accounted for five of the visitors’ seven scores with Montero launching two two-run bombs and Bryce Denton adding a solo shot.  Both had three hits, in five and four at bats, respectively.  Denton had a 50/50 game on the base paths, swiping his fourth base but being picked off second too.

Yariel Gonzalez and J.R. Davis had two hits apiece in four at bats with a run scored, with Gonzalez doubling once and Davis adding his first triple.  Designated hitter Zach Kirtley went 1-for-5 while touching home twice in his first action since being activated off the disabled list.

Angel Rondon (W, 2-0) pitched a quality effort, yielding three runs on eight hits and two walks through six.  Kodi Whitley permitted a hit and base-on-balls during his two innings on the mound and Ben Yokley worked around a one-out free pass in his full-season debut.

Friday’s game:  at Lansing (13-14) (TOR), 7:05 pm ET, Johan Oviedo (5-7, 5.11)

State College 4 at West Virginia 7

Woeful pitching left the Spikes to absorb 7-4 loss to the Black Bears in the road series finale.  Fourth-place State College (13-20) took the set over sixth-place West Virginia (12-21), two games to one, but are still seven games off the pace set by Mahoning Valley (CLE).

Three of the four Spikes’ hurlers in action Thursday gave up runs, beginning with Jacob Schlesener.  The starter (L, 0-3) permitted four tallies, three earned, on four hits and three walks in just three innings.

Franyel Casadilla, who has come out of the bullpen since his return from Peoria, surrendered a two-run bomb that was one of his two hits and two walks allowed over 2 2/3.  Edgar Gonzalez recorded four outs but gave up a run on a double, ground out and fielder’s choice.  Troy Montemayor broke the scoring string by tossing a clean eighth.

State College garnered six hits with catcher Cameron Knight the only player with more than one.  Knight singled twice in four at bats out of the nine hole and crossed home once.  Stanley Espinal went yard with the bases empty, his only hit in five at bats and Brady Whalen tripled in four at bats with a walk and three RBI.  Defensively, first baseman Whalen was charged with his second miscue and Knight had a passed ball.

Friday’s game:  vs. second-place Auburn (17-15) (WSH), 7:05 pm ET, Jim Voyles (2-2, 3.19)

Johnson City 7 vs. Bluefield 6

Early tallies gave the JC-Cards a 7-6 victory over the Blue Jays, clinching the three-game home set with one contest to go.  Johnson City (12-15) moved into third place with the win but still trail first-place Elizabethton (MIN) by five games in the standings.

Johnson City scored six times in the first two innings and took a 6-2 lead.  But four runs off Appy Bird starter Noel De Jesus knotted the game up 6-6 going into the home half of the fourth.  That tie was broken almost immediately on a solo shot by Kevin Woodall, his fourth home run in his last two games, that gave Johnson City its winning margin.

The long ball was the JC-Cards’ second of the game. Woodall joined Donivan Williams, who went yard with Carlos Soto (double) aboard in the first.  Soto and Zach Jackson were the only two Appy Birds with a multi-hit performance. Soto went 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and two driven in while Jackson doubled twice in four at bats.

Woodall went 1-for-2 with a walk and home run that was one of his two runs scored.  Williams’ blast was his only hit in three at bats, but the second baseman also worked a free pass and participated in one of his team’s two double plays.

On the mound side, De Jesus did not finish the fourth, yielding six runs on eight hits and three walks.  Mike Brettell struck out five over the next 3 1/3 scoreless frames, putting him in line for his first professional win against one loss.  Enrique Perez and Evan Sisk each tossed a one-two-three inning, with Perez fanning the side and Sisk earning his second save.

Friday’s game:  vs. Bluefield (19-10) (TOR), 7:00 pm ET, Dionis Zamora (0-2, 6.87)

GCL Cardinals 2 at GCL Astros 0

Brian Pirela tossed seven outstanding frames as the Gulf Birds shut out the GCL Astros, 2-0.  It was the fourth consecutive win for the Cardinals (19-7) who lead the East Division by 3 ½ games over the Mets.

Pirela (W, 4-0) held the Astros (14-13) to three hits and a free pass while hitting one batter.  The 20-year-old Venezuelan struck out three with seven ground- and seven fly-ball outs.

Making just his second appearance since being drafted in the 35^th round of the June 2017 First-Year Player Draft, Alex Gallegos wiped out the lead-off single he permitted with a double play.  Edgar Escobar struck out the side in the ninth.

In a game featuring just nine hits in all, scoring was scarce.  The Gulf Cardinals got on the board when Andrew Warner launched a solo bomb in the fourth.  Raffy Ozuna walked and scored in the eighth, touching home on Josh Shaw’s second single of the game.      

Friday’s game:  vs. fifth-place GCL Marlins (8-18), 12:30 pm ET, TBA

DSL Cardinals Blue 8 vs. DSL Yankees 2 (7)

Enmanuel Solano had a successful return to the DSL as the C-Blue flew past the Dominican Yankees, 8-2, in a game called after seven due to rain.  The win propels the Cardinals Blue (27-12) into a first-place tie with the Twins and five games up on the third-place Mets1.

Solano (W, 3-0), who was making his first C-Blue start since being re-assigned from the Gulf Coast League, held the Yankees (16-24) scoreless in four of his five innings on the mound.  The only mark against 19-year-old was a two-run fourth inning, the tallies generated by four of the eight total hits yielded.  Solano issued two free passes.  Angel Cuenca gave up two hits over the final two frames.

The home team generated 11 hits, paced by first baseman Freddy De Jesus, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and three driven in.  Both of Carlos Soler’s two hits in three at bats went for extra bases – the centerfielder doubled and tripled with a base-on-balls, touched home three times and knocked in three.  Soler is batting .369, 38-for-103, for the season and has a torrid .439 batting average in 41 at bats over his last 10 games.

Not to be overlooked in the offensive onslaught created by De Jesus and Soler were the fine efforts by second baseman Ramon Mendoza and right fielder Darlin Moquete.  Mendoza singled and doubled in four at bats with two RBI while Moquete went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and his sixth stolen base.

Friday’s game:  vs. fifth-place DSL Rockies (16-23), 10:30 am ET, Hector Soto (5-2, 2.65)

DSL Cardinals Red 0 at DSL Rangers2 8 (6)

The C-Red were on the receiving of an 8-0 shellacking by the Rangers2 (23-15), in a game mercifully called with one gone in the home half of the sixth due to rain.  The fourth-place Cardinals Red (22-18) are only 2 ½ games behind the division-leading Brewers in the standings.

Luis Ortiz took the loss, his third in four decisions, permitting seven hits and four walks resulting in two tallies.  Right-hander Augusto Calderon was charged with three runs on two hits, a walk, plunked batter and two wild pitches in the fifth.

Hector De Los Santos retired one batter the next inning, yielding three tallies on two hits, four walks and a wild pitch.  Wilman Madera was slated to replace De Los Santos with two runners on when the game was called.

Friday’s game:  at first-place DSL Brewers (24-15), 10:30 am ET, Jose Moreno (1-2, 4.42)

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photo: Austin Gomber (Memphis Redbirds)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 5-2 on Tuesday. Four of the wins were by one run, including a Gulf Coast Cardinals walk-off. Player of the Day Austin Gomber tossed five shutout innings in Memphis’ home victory.

Results from the games played Tuesday, July 17^th.

Memphis 3 vs. Iowa 2

The Redbirds overcame the Cubs’ late push for a 3-2 home victory.  Memphis (61-35) has won the first two of four games between the two teams.

The home team built a 3-0 advantage, behind the stellar pitching performance by Player of the Day Austin Gomber (W, 7-3).  The southpaw blanked Iowa through five, permitting just one hit and two walks while striking out six.

Conner Greene interspersed two walks among two outs, with both of his runners left on base by Tommy Layne.  But Layne could overcome his own throwing error that allowed an unearned seventh-inning tally.  John Brebbia yielded three hits, resulting in another run and thus closing the gap to 3-2.  But Andrew Morales negotiated around two hits for his fourth save.

The Redbirds garnered seven hits, three by Luke Voit, who touched home once.  Carson Kelly went 1-for-3 with a double, run scored and RBI to raise his batting average to .359 over his last 10 games.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Iowa (34-61) (CHC), 7:05 pm CT, Dakota Hudson (12-2, 2.42)

Springfield 3 vs. Northwest Arkansas 2

A late unearned tally handed the S-Cards a 3-2 win over the hapless Naturals.  Springfield (8-17) has clinched the four-game series with three straight wins, and a chance for the sweep is just ahead.

Evan Mendoza kicked off the eighth with a base-on-balls, moving to just 90 feet away from home via a passed ball and ground out.  A fielding error by Northwest Arkansas’ third baseman allowed Mendoza to score, breaking a 2-2 tie.

Springfield generated six hits, led by Tommy Edman who doubled twice in four at bats while driving in one.  Blake Drake swung a productive bat, going 1-for-2 with a run scored and sac fly.

Anthony Shew was impressive over the first seven frames, striking out seven and limiting the Naturals to a run on five hits and two free passes.  He left with his team up 2-1, but a tally against Elniery Garcia (BS, 1) (W, 1-1) knotted the game at two all at the eighth’s midpoint.  Will Latcham worked around a two-out single for his second Double-A save.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Northwest Arkansas (4-19) (KC), 6:30 pm CT, Sam Tewes (0-2, 4.82)

Lakeland 15 at Palm Beach 7 (10 innings)

The Beach Birds rallied late only to get pounded by the Flying Tigers, 15-7, in 10 innings.  The loss evens the three-game home series at one game apiece with one on tap.

Palm Beach (11-15) trailed 6-2 until a four-spot in the seventh sent the game into extra innings.  But Lakeland then unloaded on a combination of Jason Zgardowski (L, 1-1) and Jacob Patterson for nine runs, blowing the game wide open.

While Zgardowski was charged with the loss after giving up two runs, one earned, it was Patterson who put the contest out of reach.  Patterson did not retire any of his eight batters faced, surrendering seven tallies on eight hits.  Middle infielder Taylor Bryant recorded the final two outs, stranding an inherited runner.

Jesus Cruz began the parade of six PB-Card pitchers and the position player who saw mound action.  Cruz held the opposition scoreless through four but got the hook after serving up a two-run bomb with two gone the next inning.  The home run was one of four hits and three walks allowed.

Relievers Thomas St. Clair and John Kilichowski were both scored upon. St. Clair yielded three runs on four hits and three free passes in 1 1/3 and Kilichowski allowed a solo shot during his 1 2/3-inning stint.  Estarlin Arias retired his only batter, this joining Bryant as the only pitchers not scored upon.  The Palm Beach staff gave up an eye-popping 20 hits in total.

Chase Pinder had an excellent game at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a walk, run scored and RBI while batting at the top of the order.  Number six batter Shane Billings was right behind Pinder with a double plus two singled in five at bats, touching home once and knocking in two.  Billings added his seventh stolen base to his stat sheet.  The final player with more than one of the team’s 12 hits was Andy Young, who went 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls and solo bomb.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Lakeland (15-9) (DET), 6:30 pm ET, Evan Guillory (1-2, 6.14)

Peoria – off

After splitting a six-game home stand, Peoria (13-10) heads north to Michigan for six road contests versus Eastern Division clubs Lansing (TOR) and Great Lakes (LAD).

Wednesday’s game:  at second-place (Eastern Division) Lansing (13-12), 7:05 pm ET, Alex Fagalde (4-3, 2.12)

State College 4 at West Virginia 3

Diego Cordero tossed six plus solid frames as the Spikes edged the Black Bears, 4-3, in the series opener.  The victory halted a four-game losing streak by fifth-place State College (12-19) and extended West Virginia’s downward spiral to six games. It also lifted the Spikes a game ahead of their last-place hosts in the Pinckney Division standings.

Cordero, who finished an out shy of seven innings, permitted three runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks.  One of the six hits was a long ball with the bases clear.  The righty hit a batter and committed a throwing error as well.  His effort gave Cordero his first New York-Penn League win in as many decisions.

Cordero’s final runner scored under Gabe Gentner’s watch after he walked all three batters faced.  Hector Villalobos struck out three during his two innings on the bump, leaving all three of Gentner’s runners aboard.  Cory Malcom recorded the final out for his fourth save.

State College scored in each of the first three innings to go up 4-0.  Stanley Espinal and Lars Nootbar led the way. Espinal doubled twice in five at bats with a run scored and Nootbar went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double plus two RBI.  Five Spikes had one hit each.

Wednesday’s game:  at West Virginia (11-20) (PIT), 7:05 pm ET, Chris Holba (1-1, 2.60)

Johnson City – off

The fourth-place Cardinals are 10-15, six games back of first place and one game out of the cellar in the Appalachian League West.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Bluefield (19-8) (TOR), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 1 vs. GCL Mets 0

Brandon Purcell’s pinch-hit single with the sacks jammed gave the GCL Cardinals (18-7) a walk-off 1-0 victory over the GCL Mets (14-11).

With Cards having been held to just four hits through eight innings, Luken Baker opened the ninth with a single to left.  Victor Garcia’s second single of the day advanced pinch runner Mateo Gil to third with Garcia taking second on the throw.  That put two runners in scoring position for Zack Gahagan, who was issued an intentional free pass.  Pinch-hitter Purcell drilled a pitch into center, bringing Gil home and the walk-off celebration ensued.

That made a winner out of Edgar Escobar, his first in two decisions.  Escobar faced the minimum in the ninth, striking out two.

The Gulf Birds’ noteworthy pitching performance was began by starter Perry DellaValle, who fanned seven over the initial five innings.  DellaValle gave up three hits and did not walk a batter.  Francisco Justo bridged the gap between DellaValle and Escobar, striking out three while yielding two hits and a base-on-balls.

Wednesday’s game:  Off

DSL Cardinals Blue 4 vs. DSL Mets1 2

Francis Ventura tossed six strong frames as the DSL Cardinals Blue (25-12) downed the Mets1, 4-2.

Ventura (W, 2-2) limited the Mets1 (21-16) to a run on six hits and three walks while striking out five.  Angel Ortega was touched for a run on two hits during his inning of relief.  Leonardo Taveras tossed two clean frames for his fifth save.  The 19-year-old has only been charged with a run twice in 13 appearances covering 21 2/3 innings to date.

Right fielder Diowill Burgos compiled the best C-Blue stat line, going 2-for-4 with a double and solo shot.  Defensively, he was credited with an outfield assist at second base.  Five C-Blue players had one hit each, including third baseman Malcom Nunez who tripled once in three at bats with a walk, run scored and RBI.

Wednesday’s game:  at DSL Yankees (16-22), 10:30 am ET, Inohan Paniagua (1-3, 5.01)

DSL Cardinals Red 3 at DSL Tigers1 10

The C-Red (21-17) could not recover from Allinson Benitez’ poor start, falling to the DSL Tigers1, 10-3.

Benitez did not record an out, surrendering five runs on four hits and two walks.  Jhon Victorino held the DSL Tigers1 (15-23) to a run over four innings, giving up five hits and plunking a batter.

Rodard Avelino tossed two scoreless frames but Gabriel Contreras was charged with four tallies on three hits and two free passes in just 2/3 of an inning.  Nelson Prada finished the game by fanning three of his four outs recorded.

The Cardinals’ offense depended mightily on the bat of Luis Montano, who went yard twice, accounting for half of his team’s hits and all three of their runs scored.  The left fielder’s first home run occurred with Cristhian Longa (hit-by-pitch) aboard in the sixth and ended the Tigers1’s bid for a shutout.  Montano blasted a solo shot in the ninth as well.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Rangers2 (22-14), 10:30 am ET, TBA

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photo: Jake Dahlberg (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 5-3 on Monday as Memphis and Springfield mounted successful late comebacks. Player of Day Jake Dahlberg pitched seven strong innings, but State College dropped a 2-1 decision.

Results from the games played Monday, July 16^th.

Memphis 6 vs. Iowa 4

A big eighth inning comeback gave the Redbirds a 6-4 victory over the Cubs, the first of four games at AutoZone Park between the two teams.  Memphis’ (60-35) lead in the American Southern Division is up to 14 games over Nashville (OAK).

Down 4-1 with six outs to go, the home team put up a five spot on five hits and a fielding error.  Memphis had been held to just three hits up to that point but finished with eight to go with eight walks.

The only Redbird with more than one hit was shortstop Edmundo Sosa, who singled twice in three at bats with a walk, run scored and two RBI.  Adolis Garcia and Rangel Ravelo each went 1-for-4 with a double. Garcia knocked in one and Ravelo worked a free pass.  After back-to-back games, rehabbing outfielder Tyler O’Neill did not play on Monday.

The Redbirds’ pitching arsenal featured three recent returns from the St. Louis staff and a waiver claimee.  Luke Weaver’s first and only start since being temporarily reassigned included seven strikeouts in four innings with a two-run bomb surrendered in his final frame that was one of his three hits yielded.

Left-hander Tyler Webb’s third appearance since joining the organization went just like his previous ones, two innings of scoreless ball.  Matt Bowman was touched for two runs on three hits and a walk in 1 2/3.  Bowman fanned three.

John Brebbia (W, 1-0) retired his only batter faced, stranding two inherited runners and making him the pitcher when his teammates rallied.  Former St. Louis Cardinal Edward Mujica tossed a one-two-three ninth for his 10^th save.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Iowa (34-60) (CHC), 7:05 pm CT, Austin Gomber (6-3, 3.69)

Springfield 10 vs. Northwest Arkansas 6 (10 innings)

Johan Mieses’ grand slam in the 10^th lifted the S-Cards over the even more struggling Naturals, 10-6.  Springfield (7-17) has won the first two of the four games between the two squads and is in third place in the North Division, 11 ½ games in back of Tulsa (LAD).

The big bomb capped a five-run 10^th that transformed a potential 6-5 loss into a walk-off victory.  It was Mieses’ second hit of the game to go with a single in five at bats and one of the team’s three home runs.  Victor Roache launched a long ball with the bases clear, one of his two hits in three at bats.  The left fielder worked two free passes and touched home three times.

The final S-Card to go yard was catcher Jeremy Martinez, who blasted his third home run of 2018 with Lane Thomas (single) aboard.  Thomas and Martinez each scored two runs.

Jake Woodford struggled in his return to Springfield after his Triple-A stint, permitting five runs, four earned, on five hits through five.  Two of the five scores were generated by a long ball.

Austin Sexton recorded five outs, giving up two hits.  Junior Fernandez tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames, permitting two hits but stranding his only inherited runner.  Mieses’ big slam turned Hector Mendoza (W, 2-1) into the winning pitcher after the righty was charged with the unearned tally in the visitor half of the 10^th.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. fourth-place Northwest Arkansas (4-18) (KC), 6:30 pm CT, Anthony Shew (4-5, 4.82)

Palm Beach 4 vs. Lakeland 3

The PB-Cards survived a late rally to top the Flying Tigers, 4-3, in the series opener and halt a three-game losing skid.  Palm Beach (11-14) is in a three-way tie for second with Bradenton (PIT) and Fort Myers (MIN), all three teams trailing Charlotte (TB) by three games.

Defensive miscues played a large role as each team’s offense scored only one earned run.  The Beach Birds took advantage of Lakeland’s third-inning throwing error to put two on for Andy Young who smashed a bases-clearing triple.  J.B. Woodman’s single brought Young home for a 3-0 lead after three.

Casey Meisner (W, 5-2) held that lead easily through the first five of his 6 1/3 innings on the bump.  Meisner surrendered a solo home run in the sixth but exited after permitting a single and base-on-balls the next frame.  The Texan struck out five with four hits and three walks allowed.

Yeison Medina was the unfortunate recipient of his team’s defensive lapses, unable to work around two errors.  The second bobble allowed both of Meisner’s runners to score, cutting the home team’s lead to a single tally.  But Medina prevented further damage during his 1 1/3-inning stint, yielding a hit and base-on-balls.  Eric Carter issued a free pass with one gone but retired his final two batters for his second save.

The PB-Cards were held to just five hits, including Kramer Robertson’s lead-off single in the sixth.  A walk to Young advanced Robertson 90 feet before a wild pitch moved him to third, from where he scored on Ryan McCarvel’s sac fly.  Second baseman Young and third baseman Danny Hudzina committed the defensive lapses.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. Lakeland (14-9) (DET), 12:00 pm ET, Jesus Cruz (2-0, 4.50)

Fort Wayne 4 at Peoria 0

The Chiefs were held to just four hits in their 4-0 defeat by Fort Wayne (13-12) (SD).  Third-place Peoria (13-10) still claimed the home series, two-games-to-one, and trail both Beloit (OAK) and Cedar Rapids (MIN) by three games in the West Division.

Alvaro Seijas (L, 2-6) tossed a quality effort, yielding two runs on five hits and three free passes over six innings.  The 19-year-old struck out six.  C.J. Saylor surrendered a seventh-inning solo blast before Fabian Blanco was touched for a tally in the eighth, the first of his two innings of work.

All four of Peoria’s hits were singles and they managed just two walks. Only two runners reached second base all evening.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

Tri-City 2 at State College 1

A ninth-inning tally resulted in a 2-1 loss by State College and a three-game series sweep by the visiting ValleyCats (18-12) (HOU).  It was the fourth consecutive loss by the Spikes (11-19), now tied for last place.

Player of the Day Jake Dahlberg was stellar over seven innings, permitting just one run on a hit, three walks and a sac fly.  The run was unearned due to a throwing error by the southpaw, who fanned eight with six ground- and four fly-ball outs.

Kevin Hamann took the loss, his first in as many decisions, after allowing a run on three hits and a base-on-balls over 1 2/3.  The run scored on a single given up by Cory Malcom, who stranded a second inherited runner when he recorded the ninth’s final out.

The Spikes’ sole run was generated on back-to-back doubles by Edwin Figuera and Brady Whalen in the first.  State College managed just seven hits in total, led by Whalen, who doubled twice. Second baseman Figuera committed his eighth and ninth miscues.

Tuesday’s game:  at West Virginia (11-19) (PIT), 7:05 pm ET, Diego Cordero (0-0, 16.62 ERA)

Johnson City 5 at Burlington 6

The Appy Birds bullpen could not hold a three-run ninth-inning lead, and the Cards fell to the Royals, 6-5, in the decisive third game of the series.  Johnson City (10-15) is in fourth place in the West Division, six games behind Elizabethton (MIN).

Parker Kelly (BS, 1) (L, 1-1) was responsible for the walk-off loss, giving up four runs, the capper of which was a two-run home run.  Kelly retired two batters, yielding a walk, double, two-run single and the bomb.

Kyle Leahy went the initial 5 2/3, holding Burlington (6-21) to two runs on six hits and two walks, including a solo long ball.  He struck out five.  Enrique Perez (1 1/3) and Evan Sisk kept their opponents off the board during the next 2 2/3 innings, with Perez leaving Leahy’s last runner on base.

Johnson City accumulated 11 hits, paced by Brandon Riley and Donivan Williams, who posted nearly identical lines – 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Riley added a walk.  Catcher Carlos Soto singled once in four at bats with a sac fly and drove in three.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

GCL Cardinals 10 vs. GCL Nationals 3

The Gulf Birds pounded out 15 hits on their way to a 10-3 romp over the fourth-place Nationals (9-15).  The Cardinals (17-7) sit atop the East Division, three games in front of the Mets.

All nine starters either garnered at least one hit or drove in a run, led by designated hitter Josh Shaw, who went 3-for-5 with a double and run scored.  Left fielder Andrew Warner reached base four times with two singles in two at bats, two free passes, a run scored and an RBI.

First baseman Luken Baker headed his team’s RBI stat sheet, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three driven in.  Three other Gulf Cardinals also had two hits apiece:  shortstop Mateo Gil, center fielder Diomedes Del Rio and second baseman Kevin Vargas.

Derian Gonzalez’ rehab continued with two scoreless frames to begin the game. The righty struck out three and gave up two hits.  Regular starter Cole Aker (W, 3-0) tossed the next three frames, limiting the opposition to a run on two hits, four walks and a balk.

Chris Rivera shut down the Gulf Nationals on two hits over two innings but Starlin Balbuena did not fare so well in his mound debut.  Balbuena allowed each of his four batters to reach, two on hits and two via free passes, and two scored.  Chris Hunt inherited a bases-loaded with no one out mess and minimized the damage to only one runner crossing home plate.  Hunt pitched the final two frames, giving up a hit and walk.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. GCL Mets (14-10), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

DSL Cardinals Blue at DSL Mets1 – suspended

Monday morning’s contest between the C-Blue and DSL Mets1 was suspended due to rain after four with the C-Blue trailing 2-1.  The game’s completion has not been indicated but is likely to occur as part of a twin bill on Tuesday, July 17^th.  The second-place DSL Cardinals Blue (24-12) trail the DSL Twins by a game in the South Division.

The C-Blue pounced for a first-inning tally and the 1-0 score held until the home half of the fourth, when the Mets1 scored twice against starter Julio Puello.  Puello yielded five hits during his four-inning stint but took advantage of a caught stealing and double play to minimize the damage.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. third-place DSL Mets1 (21-15), 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (1-2, 4.91)

DSL Cardinals Red 2 vs. DSL Tigers1 0 (5 innings)

The C-Red blanked the Tigers1 in a rain-shortened five-inning affair.  The DSL Cardinals Red (21-16) are in fourth place in the very competitive San Pedro Division with only 1 ½ games separating them from the division’s co-leaders, the Brewers and Rangers2.

The only two batters to reach against starter Ludwin Jimenez (W, 2-2) during his five innings of work came when the 17-year-old hit them with pitches.  Both base runners were erased, one in an attempted steal of second and the other on Jimenez’ pick off move to second after the righty uncorked a wild pitch that advanced the runner into scoring position.  Jimenez gave up neither a hit nor a walk.

All of the home team’s scoring occurred in the first, when the C-Red generated all three of their hits during the abbreviated contest.  Left fielder Joerlin De Los Santos opened with a single to left and raced home on a double by shortstop Franklin Soto, his fifth of the season.  Two outs later, center fielder Adanson Cruz’s single drove in Soto – and that was the ball game.

Tuesday’s game:   at eighth-place DSL Tigers1 (14-23), 10:30 am ET, Martin Cordova (4-0, 0.39)

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photos: Delvin Perez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 6-3 on Thursday. Our Player of the Day is State College shortstop Delvin Perez, who reached base five times, including via his game-deciding two-run double.

Results from games played Thursday, July 12^th.

Memphis 6 at Omaha 3

The Redbirds took up right where they left off before the Triple-A All-Star break, with a win over the Storm Chasers.  The 6-3 victory was either the first of a four-game road series and the sixth of a nine-game home-and-away set between the two teams.  Memphis (57-34) holds a 12 ½-game lead over both Round Rock (TEX) and Nashville (OAK) in the American Southern Division.

Austin Gomber (W, 6-3) blanked Omaha through five innings but departed after surrendering a three-run long ball with one gone in the sixth.  The lefty gave up six hits and a walk.  Tyler Webb struck out five over 2 2/3, permitting a hit.  Matt Bowman worked around a two-out double by fanning three for his first save.

Memphis put on quite an offensive display, with eight of nine starters garnering at least one of the team’s 15 hits.  Luke Voit led the way, going 3-for-5 with a solo shot, his seventh Triple-A home run.  Adolis Garcia launched a two-run blast, one of his two hits in four at bats with two runs scored.

Four other Redbirds had two hits apiece:  Patrick Wisdom, Carson Kelly, Oscar Mercado and Edmundo Sosa.  All but Mercado did it in four at bats while Mercado had five at bats.  Wisdom doubled twice and drew his team’s only base-on-balls, joining Kelly by crossing home once.  Mercado, Sosa and Kelly each drove in one.

Friday’s game:  at Omaha (40-49) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Kevin Herget (5-6, 3.75)

Springfield 5 at Arkansas 6

An unearned tally provided the difference as the S-Cards were clipped by the Travelers, 6-5.  Springfield (5-15) has lost the first two games of the series with two remaining and is tied with Northwest Arkansas (KC) for last place in the North Division, 9 ½ games behind Tulsa.

Defensive impairment aside, Springfield’s offensive ineptitude was glaringly obvious as they fell despite outhitting their opponents, 13 to seven.  Evan Mendoza and John Nogowski had three hits apiece in four at bats with a walk, Mendoza driving in two and Nogowski scoring one.  Three batters separated those two from the only other player with more than one hit, Johan Mieses, who went 2-for-3 with a base-on-balls.  Jeremy Martinez’ only hit in five at bats was a two-run home run, his second of the season.

Austin Warner hurled the first six innings, permitting four runs on six hits and a free pass.  He plunked two batters too as his Double-A record dropped to 0-3.  Ramon Santos and Hector Mendoza each tossed an inning. Santos gave up two runs with the deciding unearned tally the result of a throwing error by shortstop Tommy Edman, his 15^th miscue of 2018.

Friday’s game:  at second-place Arkansas (11-7) (SEA), 7:10 pm CT, Sam Tewes (0-2, 5.09)

Palm Beach 4 at Fort Myers 2

Brian O’Keefe’s three-run blast propelled the Beach Birds to a 4-2 victory over Fort Myers and a three-games-to-one series win.  Palm Beach (10-11) claimed sole possession of second place and trail Charlotte (TB) by a game in the South Division.

O’Keefe’s long ball, his only hit in four at bats, came with Chase Pinder (single) and Dylan Carlson (walk) aboard and gave the Cards a 3-0 lead after one.  Carlson reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.  He was the only Beach Bird with more than one of seven team hits.

Jesus Cruz (W, 2-0) had a triumphant return to Palm Beach after four starts for Peoria, holding the third-place Miracle (9-12) to two hits and a base on balls in 5 1/3.  His sole tally allowed resulted from a lead-off walk, single and sac fly.  Cruz struck out five and hit one batter.

Four Palm Beach relievers followed Cruz to the mound. Jacob Patterson went 1 2/3 innings, issuing two free passes and stranding two inherited runners.  Jason Zgardowski tossed a clean eighth but was one of three pitchers needed to successfully navigate the ninth.  Zgardowski got the hook after permitting a lead-off single.  Colton Thomson retired his first two batters but was yanked after back-to-back singles, the latter of which scored Zgardowski’s runner.  Eric Carter retired his only batter for his first save of 2018.

Friday’s game:  at fifth-place St Lucie (7-13) (NYM), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Lake County 6 at Peoria 1

Sloppy defense and a misfiring offense led by the Chiefs’ 6-1 home loss to the Captains.  Peoria’s (10-9) third straight loss, and fourth in their last five games, have dropped them to fourth in the Western Division, three games behind Beloit (OAK) and Cedar Rapids (MIN).

The Chiefs committed three errors, one each by third baseman Elehuris Montero, catcher Alexis Wilson and second baseman Irving Lopez, leading to three unearned runs.  Wilson was also charged with two passed balls.

Peoria outhit Lake County, nine to eight, but went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven.  The only two Chiefs with more than one hit were Yariel Gonzalez and Wood Myers. Both went 2-for-4 with Myers scoring his team’s only run.

Alex Fagalde bore most of the brunt of his team’s bobbles with half of the four runs he yielded over five innings being unearned.  Fagalde struck out five with four hits and three walks allowed.  Kodi Whitley and C.J. Saylor each pitched two innings. Whitley was charged with two runs, one earned, on two hits and a base-on-balls.

Friday’s game:  vs. Lake County (11-10) (CLE), 7:00 pm CT (Angel Rondon, league debut)

State College 10 vs. Vermont 9

The Spikes finished on top of a combined 27-hit slugfest, slipping past the Lake Monsters, 10-9, to even the home series at one game each with one on tap.  The victory moved State College (11-15) into a fourth-place tie with West Virginia (PIT), 5 ½ in back of Mahoning Valley (CLE).

The contest featured three lead changes, with the most important in the eighth, when Player of the Day Delvin Perez’ ground-rule double drove in two and flipped an 8-7 deficit into the final margin of victory.  Perez had a perfect night at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a walk, double, run scored and two RBI while batting seventh.

Three Spikes had two hits each:  Brandon Benson, Stanley Espinal and Joe Gomez.  All three touched home at least once with Gomez knocking in two.  Benson drew one free pass while Espinal worked two of State College’s eight walks to go with 14 hits.

However, things did not go so swimmingly on the mound.  Diego Cordero did not have an auspicious New York-Penn League debut, surrendering eight runs on nine hits and a base-on-balls in just 4 1/3.  One of those nine hits was a two-run home run.

Troy Montemayor recorded five outs, but not before giving up a run on three hits and allowing one inherited runner to score.  Cory Malcom (W, 1-0) twice retired the side in order before Kevin Hamann pitched a clean ninth for his fourth save.

Friday’s game:  vs. Vermont (13-13) (OAK), 7:05 pm ET, Chris Holba (1-1, 2.19)

Elizabethton 7 at Johnson City 2

The JC-Cards fell to the Twins for the third straight game, this time by a 7-2 score.  One game remains in the series.  Johnson City (9-12) is mired in fourth place, four games behind Elizabethton.

A bright light in the loss was starter Colin Schmid, who tossed four strong frames in his first start after five relief appearances.  Schmid held the Twins to a run on four hits and did not issue a free pass.

Mike Brettell (L, 0-1) did not fare as well, surrendering five runs on seven hits during his two innings on the bump.  The four hits Juan Alvarez allowed during his two-inning stint resulted in one tally.  Edwar Ramirez worked around a hit and walk for a scoreless ninth.

Kevin Woodall went 2-for-4, including a double, and collected the Cards’ lone RBI, scoring Leandro Cedeno, who also had a two-base hit.

Friday’s game: vs. first-place Elizabethton (13-8) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 12 at GCL Mets 2

The GCL Cardinals (15-6) thumped the Mets (13-8), 12-2, to widen their lead over their closest division rival to two games in the standings.

The Gulf Birds were aided by three Mets’ bobbles that led to six unearned tallies.  The visitors generated seven hits with Victor Garcia and Brandon Purcell having two apiece.  The team was also aided by three long balls, the biggest being Purcell’s grand slam that made it 11-1 at the seventh’s midpoint and was four of his five RBI.  Garcia went yard as well, his blast coming with a runner on.  Luken Baker opened the sixth with his first home run as a pro, his only hit in three at bats, although he did work a free pass.

Memphis rehabber Derian Gonzalez worked around a lead-off walk for a scoreless first.  Regular starter Brian Pirela took over the next inning, tossing five strong frames while giving up one unearned run on four hits and two walks with four K’s.  Francisco Justo got a three-inning save, fanning four and yielding a solo shot that was one of two hits allowed to go with a base-on-balls.

Friday’s game:  off

DSL Cardinals Blue 5 vs. DSL Nationals 4

A five-run third lifted the C-Blue over the Dominican Nationals, 5-4.  The win allowed the second-place DSL Cardinals (23-12) to keep pace with the DSL Twins, whom they trail by a game in the standings.

Ramon Mendoza and Ramon Gomez each had two of the team’s seven hits. Mendoza drove in one in four at bats and Gomez doubled with a walk and stolen base in three at bats.  But the big blow was a two-run double by Diowill Burgos, his only hit in four at bats.  Burgos came around to score the third’s final tally.

Angel Ortega was credited with his first win by tossing a scoreless fifth in which he issued one free pass.  Ortega pitched in relief of Angel Cuenca, who went the initial four innings, yielding a three-run first plus another tally in the third on six hits and two walks.  Cuenca struck out five.

Ramon Fernandez made his professional debut with two clean frames, with the right-hander working around three walks.  Luis Tena fanned three over the final two innings for his first save.

Friday’s game:  at fourth-place DSL Nationals (19-16), 10:30 am ET, Hector Soto (4-2, 3.06)

DSL Cardinals Red 7 at DSL D-backs2 6  (10 innings)

The C-Red came out on top of a see-saw battle, topping the D-backs2, 7-6, in 10.  The Cardinals Red (19-16) are in fourth place in the San Pedro Division, 1 ½ games behind tri-leaders Brewers, Phillies White and Rangers2.

The contest featured four lead changes but the Red took the final lead, scoring two in the top of the 10^th to go up 7-5, then holding on for the victory.  The only C-Red player with a multi-hit performance was right fielder Luis Montano, who singled twice in five at bats with a base-on-balls and RBI.  Four of Montano’s teammates had one hit apiece, including catcher Jesus Orecchia who went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored.  Defensively, Orecchia was charged with his third error on an attempted pickoff play that went awry.

Jose Moreno tossed a quality start, permitting three runs on six hits and a free pass through six while fanning five.  Moreno left with a 5-3 lead but two unearned tallies charged to Roy Garcia (BS, 2) sent the game into extras.  Dionys Rodriguez tossed the ninth and 10^th, yielding an unearned score on a two-out single, but closed out the game for his second win against no losses.

Friday’s game:  vs. sixth-place DSL D-backs2 (15-20), 10:30 am ET, TBA

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2018 Week 14

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photo: Shane Billings (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-1 on a light Tuesday schedule. Our Player of Day, Palm Beach outfielder Shane Billings, drove in six on two doubles and a home run.

Results from the games played Tuesday, July 10^th.

Memphis – off

The first-place Memphis Redbirds (56-34) are off for the Triple-A All-Star Game.  The 2018 edition takes place on Wednesday, July 11^th, at Huntington Park, home of the International League Columbus Clippers (CLE).  The Redbirds will be represented on the Pacific Coast League All-Star squad by RHP Dakota Hudson, RHP Daniel Poncedeleon and 3B Patrick Wisdom.  As the top vote-getter, Hudson earned starting pitcher honors, only the fifth Memphis pitcher so designated.

Wednesday’s game:  Triple-A All-Star Game

Springfield – off

Fresh off their first series’ win since late May, third-place Springfield is traveling to second-place Arkansas (SEA) for four games before heading back home to host fourth-place Northwest Arkansas (KC).

Wednesday’s game: at Arkansas (9-7), 7:10 pm CT, Anthony Shew (4-4, 4.94)

Palm Beach 14 at Fort Myers 8

The Beach Birds used a six-run ninth to surge past the Miracle, 14-8.  Palm Beach (9-10) has taken the first two of four versus Fort Myers and moved into a first-place tie with Charlotte (TB) in the underachieving South Division.

The team’s 17 hits included four doubles, a triple and two home runs.  Kramer Robertson spearheaded the attack, going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and one driven in.  But it was Player of the Day Shane Billings who did the most damage, going 3-for-6 with two doubles and a three-run blast that was part of his three runs scored and six RBI.

Andy Young had three hits as well, as the second baseman was 3-for-5 with a walk, triple, run scored and RBI.  Dylan Carlson and J.B. Woodman had two hits apiece. Carlson doubled and had a solo shot in five at bats, touching home twice and knocking in three.

Evan Kruczynski went five innings in his return from the disabled list, yielding three runs, two earned, on two hits and four walks with four strikeouts.  John Kilichowski retired four batters, permitting three runs on four hits and two free passes.

Robbie Gordon (BS, 2) (W, 3-1) entered during the seventh, asked to hold an 8-4 advantage, but he could not come through.  Gordon allowed both inherited runners to score plus one of his own to close the gap to 8-7.  The righty surrendered the game-tying tally the next frame for an overall line of two runs allowed on three hits and a base-on-balls in 1 2/3.

But the visitors exploded for six tallies on four singles, a double, walk and two hit batsmen to break the game wide open.  The Fort Myers manager just plain exploded in the ninth, leading to his ejection.  Eric Carter struck out two of three faced in the home half of the frame.

Wednesday’s game:  at third-place Fort Myers (8-11) (MIN), Casey Meisner (4-1, 3.14)

Peoria – off

Third-place Peoria (10-7) hosts their Eastern Division rivals, fifth-place Lake County (CLE) and second-place Fort Wayne (SD) for three games each.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Lake County (9-10), 7:00 pm CT, TBA

State College – off

Coming off a six-game road trip in which they won both three-game series, State College (10-14) opens a six-game home stand against two Stedler Division teams.  First up is the second-place Vermont Lake Monsters (OAK) followed by the division-leading Tri City ValleyCats (HOU).

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Vermont (12-12), 7:05 pm ET, Jake Dahlberg (0-1, 4.03)

Elizabethton 15 at Johnson City 1

The Appy Birds opened their four-game set with the Twins by absorbing a 15-1 shellacking.  Johnson City (9-10) drops to two games off the pace set by co-leaders Elizabethton and Kingsport (NYM).

The game remained competitive through the first four frames with the JC-Cards trailing 2-1, before a seven-run fifth blew the contest wide open.  Still in search of a solid, regular rotation, Johnson City gave non-drafted free agent signee Tommy Parsons his first start after four relief appearances.  Parsons did a respectable job in the brief time he was in there, tossing three scoreless frames after yielding a two-run home run in his initial inning of work.  The right-hander gave up four hits, struck out three and did not issue a free pass.

But erstwhile starter Edwar Ramirez showed in the fifth why he probably should not be in the rotation.  Ramirez was tagged for seven runs on eight hits, including a solo shot, the second of five home runs surrendered by JC-Card pitchers, with only two outs recorded.

Junior Gonzalez, another (former?) member of the rotation, recorded six outs but not before allowing six tallies on five hits, two walks and three long balls.  Enrique Perez kept Elizabethton off the board over the final 2 1/3 on just one hit, but the damage was already done.

Shortstop Michael Perri and third baseman Moises Castillo each had two of the team’s six hits. Perri’s triple was the only one to go for extra bases.  Johnson City’s sole tally was unearned, the product of a fielding error that put Luis Flores aboard, stolen base, ground out and throwing error.  Defensively, the Appy Birds committed three miscues, two by Parsons on pickoff attempts and one by Perri.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Elizabethton (11-8) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 6 vs. GCL Marlins 5

The Gulf Cardinals rallied for a 6-5 victory over the fifth-place Marlins (6-3).  The Cardinals (13-6) maintained their half-game lead over the Mets in the East Division of the Gulf Coast League.

Trailing 4-0 through five, the home team finally broke through the next frame for a run.  Then came the seventh when the Gulf Birds plated a five spot to go up 6-4.  Things got a bit dicey in the ninth when the Cardinals committed their fifth error of the day, leading to a run and putting the potential tying run just 90 feet away from home.  But the pitcher’s best friend, a double play, came to their aid and the team hung on for the win.

Designated hitter Victor Garcia led the team’s nine-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with one driven in.  Center fielder Diomedes Del Rio singled twice in four at bats with a run scored and RBI, the only other Cardinal with a multi-hit performance.  But Mateo Gil’s bat was the most productive, as the shortstop doubled once in three at bats with a base-on-balls, crossed home once and knocked in three.

Defensively, it was a bit of a nightmare day for second baseman Cole Kreuter, who committed three bobbles – two missed catches and one fielding.  Catcher Joe Freiday was charged with an error on an attempted pickoff play at second while first baseman Liam Sabino’s missed catch miscue led to the ninth inning jam.

The pitching staff bore the brunt of the shaky defense as four of the five Marlins runs were unearned.  Right-hander Cole Aker made his first pro start after four relief appearances and had fairly solid results.  Aker allowed three hits and a walk over four innings while fanning five.  Both of the tallies charged to him were unearned.  He did uncork two wild pitches.

Chris Rivera (W, 1-1) pitched the next three frames, yielding two runs, one earned, on two hits and a base-on-balls with three strikeouts.  Jose Geronimo tossed a clean eighth but was bitten by the ninth inning error that led to an unearned run in 1 1/3.  Geronimo gave up a hit, walk and plunked a batter.  Ty Cohen ended the threat with a 1-6-3 double play for his first professional save.

Wednesday’s game:  at third place GCL Nationals (8-11), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

DSL Cardinals Blue – postponed

Tuesday’s contest between the DSL Cardinals Blue (21-11) and DSL Angels (10-22) was postponed due to rain.  The game has been rescheduled as part of a double-header on Wednesday, July 11^th.  Game 1 will commence at 10:30 am ET with the second to follow.     

Wednesday’s games: at DSL Angels (10-22).  Game 1 – 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (1-2, 4.13)/TBA

DSL Cardinals Red – postponed

Not surprisingly, the game between the DSL Cardinals Red (17-15) and Mets2 was also rained out.  It will now take place as part of a twin bill on Wednesday, July 11^th with Game 1 starting at 10:30 am ET.

Wednesday’s games:  vs. DSL Mets2 (15-17).  Game 1 – 10:30 am ET, Martin Cordova (3-0, 0.52)/Ronald Suarez (0-2, 5.51)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 14

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photo: Jake Walsh (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-5 on Monday. Co-Players of the Day Jake Walsh allowed just one unearned run in six innings for Palm Beach and 2018 10^th-rounder Kevin Woodall doubled, homered and plated two for Johnson City.

Results from the games played Monday, July 9^th.

Memphis – off

The first-place Memphis Redbirds (56-34) are off for the Triple-A All-Star break.  The 2018 game takes place on Wednesday, July 11^th, at Huntington Park, home of the International League Columbus Clippers (CLE).  The Redbirds will be represented on the Pacific Coast League All-Star squad by RHP Dakota Hudson, RHP Daniel Poncedeleon and 3B Patrick Wisdom.  As the top vote-getter, Hudson earned starting pitcher honors, only the fifth Memphis pitcher so designated.

Wisdom was named as one the six players to take part in Monday night’s Triple-A Home Run Derby, the first Redbird to participate. Wisdom scored eight points in the first round, one short of the total needed to advance. The eventual winner, Chad Huffman of the Toledo Mud Hens, played for Memphis in 2013 and again in 2017 and also had a cup of coffee with St. Louis last season.

Tuesday’s game: off

Midland 3 at Springfield 0

The S-Cards’ bats did not get on track in their 3-0 loss to Midland.  Springfield (5-13) still took the home series, two-games-to-one over the RockHounds (5-13) (OAK).

The S-Cards managed just five hits. Second baseman Ramon Urias doubled twice in four at bats with a strikeout while batting second.  Andrew Knizner, Chris Chinea and John Nogowski each singled.

Mike O’Reilly took the loss, his fourth in six decisions, after yielding three tallies on seven hits and a walk through five.  He struck out five.

The next two innings belonged to Elniery Garcia, who was making his organizational debut.  Garcia, a recent acquisition from the Philadelphia organization for international cap money, tossed a one-two-three sixth before running into a bit of difficulty in the seventh.  The southpaw allowed a lead-off single then compounded it by making a throwing error during a sac bunt situation that put two on with none out.  But Garcia retired his next three batters to escape the jam.

Luke Gregerson pitched the eighth, in his third rehab appearance.  Gregerson had an easy time of it, using nine pitches, seven strikes, to record two ground outs and a fly out.  Jacob Evans faced the minimum in the ninth.

Tuesday’s game:  off

Palm Beach 6 at Fort Myers 2

A five-run second propelled the Beach Birds past the Miracle, 6-2, in the first of four games between the two teams.  The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and moved Palm Beach (8-10) into a tie for second with Fort Myers and a game behind Charlotte (TB) in the standings.

All nine PB-Cards came to the plate that frame, which began with five consecutive singles followed by a walk before the Miracles’ starter recorded an out.  Three runners had crossed the plate with the final two tallies coming home on ground outs.  The second ground out and a resulting throwing error triggered a new pitcher entering the game.

Palm Beach garnered 11 hits in all, led by leadoff man Kramer Robertson, who went 3-for-5 including two doubles and an RBI.  The only other Beach Bird with more than one hit was outfielder Shane Billings, who singled twice in four at bats, touched home once and knocked in one.

Our co-Player of the Day is Palm Beach starter Jake Walsh, who tossed six strong frames and earned his fifth Palm Beach win against just one loss.  Walsh limited Fort Myers to just three hits and a base-on-balls, giving up one unearned tally.

Jason Zgardowski had no problem with the seventh, working around one free pass.  But Colton Thomson hit a bit of a speed bump in his return to Palm Beach, yielding a run on two hits in 1 2/3.  Thomas St. Clair recorded the ninth’s final out, stranding an inherited runner.

Tuesday’s game:  at Fort Myers (8-10) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, Evan Kruczynski (4-1, 3.83)

Peoria 5 at Wisconsin 19

It was a really long afternoon for the Chiefs’ pitching staff as Peoria was flattened by Wisconsin, 19-5, for a split of the four-game road set.

Paul Balestrieri (L, 5-4) began a parade of five Chiefs to take the mound, four of whom were scored upon.  Balestrieri surrendered eight runs on nine hits and four base-on-balls through 3 2/3.  C.J. Saylor had twice as many walks, four, as recorded outs, two, resulting in two runs scored plus two inherited runners crossing home.

Bryan Dobzanski continued the unfortunate trend of allowing inherited runners to score when both of Saylor’s last two runners touched home.  Dobzanski went 1 2/3 innings and gave up two more runs on four hits and a free pass.

Up next was Levi MaVorhis and, wow, did he have a bad seventh inning.  MaVorhis coughed up seven tallies on seven hits, including a three-run bomb.   Finally, Fabian Blanco’s one-two-three eighth either proved Wisconsin hitters could be retired without allowing them to score or that they were too tired from all of that running the bases to do anything against him.

On any other day, the Chiefs’ offensive output would have looked respectable.  Peoria generated nine hits with four of their five tallies occurring in the third and temporarily knotting the game at four all.  Irving Lopez had a good performance, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and two driven in.  The only other Chief with a multi-hit effort was Bryce Denton, who singled twice in four at bats with two RBI.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

State College 3 at Batavia 0

The Spikes used timely hitting and solid pitching to blank the Muckdogs, 3-0, in the decisive third game of the road series.  State College (10-14) moved into a tie for fourth with West Virginia (PIT) with the win, 6 ½ in back of Mahoning Valley (CLE).

Jim Voyles (W, 2-1) navigated around three hits and three walks to hurl five plus frames of shutout ball.  The right-hander struck out five.

But Voyles needed the aid of reliever Hector Villalobos to complete his successful outing.  Villalobos entered after Voyles permitted back-to-back singles and added to the drama by loading the bases on yet another single.  But the lefty retired his next three batters on called strike three counts.

Unfortunately, the drama for Villalobos did not end there.  Three walks sandwiched around two passed balls jammed the sacks full the next inning with none gone.  But Will Changarotty walked that tightrope without falling by notching two swinging K’s followed by a caught looking strikeout.  Changarotty went on to work around a two-out double in the eighth for two clean frames.  Kevin Hamann faced the minimum in the ninth for his third save.

Three Spikes each had two of the team’s nine hits:  Edwin Figuera, Justin Toerner and Andres Luna.  Figuera and Toerner, the two and three hitters, both singled twice in four at bats, the latter touching home once and swiping his third bag.  Luna went 2-for-3 with an RBI out of the nine hole.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

Johnson City 4 vs. Pulaski 3

Johnson City (9-9) survived a ninth-inning rally to top the Yankees, 4-3, in the rubber game of the home series.

The Appy Birds used a two run second and fourth to build a 4-2 lead that held until the ninth.  Pulaski (8-12) put a scare into the hometown crowd when they loaded the bases with none gone.  A run scored on a double-play ball and the rally was quashed when the Yankees’ final batter struck out.

The home team maximized their six hits, three of which went for extra bases.  Right fielder Kevin Woodall left the yard with Nolan Gorman (walk) aboard in the second while doubles by Woodall and Jonatan Machado plus a fielder’s choice plated two more in the fourth.

Woodall carried the offensive load for his team, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and two RBI.  He earns co-Player of the Day honors.  Center fielder Machado also had two hits, a single and double in four at bats with one driven in.  Machado swiped two bases as well, joined by Gorman, who stole his first bag as a professional.  Defensively, third baseman Gorman was charged with his third miscue.

Dionis Zamora allowed a two-run long ball in the second, the middle of his three innings on the bump.  Juan Alvarez tossed three scoreless frames and was credited with his first win.  Evan Sisk pitched two clean frames but got the hook after permitting a hit and walk to begin the ninth.  Lefty Colin Schmid walked the bases full but induced the double play and swinging K for his first save as a pro.

Tuesday’s game:  Elizabethton at JC, 7:00 ET, TBA

GCL Cardinals 3 at GCL Astros 4

The Gulf Birds’ (12-6) late rally fell short, resulting in a 4-3 defeat at the GCL Astros (8-11).

Down 4-0 at the end of the sixth, the visitors pushed across three runs over the next two frames.  Six Gulf Cardinals had one of the team’s six singles with Diomedes Del Rio, Mateo Gil and Josh Shaw all scoring a run.  It was not a good day in the field for the GCL Cardinals’ defense, which committed four bobbles:  one each by left fielder Brandon Benson and second baseman Shaw plus two throwing errors by catcher Brandon Purcell.

Derian Gonzalez’ latest rehab appearance resulted in him being tagged with a loss.  The right-hander yielded two runs, one earned, on a hit and walk with just two batters retired.

Gonzalez’ final run scored with Ben Yokley on the mound.  Yokley was making his long-delayed return for his first action since 2015. Selected from the United States Air Force Academy in the 29^th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, he then dealt with service duties and injury since  his rookie year.  The Colorado native gave up an RBI double to his first batter and a lead-off single the next inning but did not allow further damage during his 1 1/3-inning stint.

Connor Coward replaced Yokley to begin the third and struck out seven over three frames with a tally permitted on two hits.  Edgar Escobar gave up a run in the eighth but Francisco Justo kept the opposition off the board over the final two innings despite allowing four hits.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. GCL Marlins (6-12), 12:00 pm ET, Enmanuel Solano (2-0, 4.26)

DSL Cardinals Blue 3 at DSL Phillies Red 4

The C-Blue were clipped by the DSL Phillies Red, 4-3, dropping the DSL Cardinals Blue (21-11) into second in the South Division, a game behind the Twins.

The Phillies Red (10-22) scored a first-inning tally against starter Julio Puello, the only mark made against the right-hander in five solid innings.

Puello’s teammates backed him with three runs over the next four frames, giving Puello a 3-1 lead upon his departure from the game.  That advantage evaporated in a heartbeat when Josue Ramirez (BS, 1) took over.  Ramirez did not retire any of his four batters, allowing two to score.  Larimel Soriano kept the game knotted at three-all by stranding Ramirez’ final two base runners but permitted a run in his third and final inning of work for his first loss against one win.

Third baseman Malcom Nunez had a good day at the plate, doubling and tripling in four at bats and driving in all three of his team’s scores while batting third.  Twice Nunez plated number two hitter Carlos Soler, who tripled in four at bats with a base-on-balls.  Catcher Luis Rodriguez went 3-for-4 but it was out of the nine hole and no one around him in the batting order produced.

Tuesday’s game:  at DSL Angels (10-22), 10:30 am ET, Francis Ventura (1-2, 4.13)

DSL Phillies White 10 at DSL Cardinals Red 7

The C-Red came out on the wrong end of an offensive battle, losing to the DSL Phillies White, 10-7.  The defeat drops the Cardinals Red (17-15) a half game behind the now third-place Phillies White (17-14) and 3 ½ in back of the Brewers.

All three C-Red hurlers were scored upon, beginning with Ludwin Jimenez who gave up five runs, three earned, on seven hits, including a two-run home run, in four innings.  Jhon Victorino yielded three tallies in his three-plus frames on the mound.  Two of them scored under Wilman Madera’s watch. Madera was charged with two runs of his own in two innings, one of them via a solo shot.

The C-Red offense banged out 12 hits, led by Adanson Cruz, who went 3-for-5 with a double, run scored and RBI.  Shortstop Franklin Soto singled and doubled in five at bats while touching home twice and swiping his 12^th and 13^th bags of 2018.  Right fielder Luis Montano went 2-for-3 with a double, walk and run scored.  Defensively, the C-Red committed four miscues to the Phillies White’s three.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. DSL Mets2 (15-17), 10:30 am ET, Martin Cordova (3-0, 0.52) or Ronald Suarez (0-2, 5.51)

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photo: Connor Jones (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-3 on Sunday as Connor Jones’ strong six innings on the mound helped Springfield win its first series since late May.

Results from the games played Sunday, July 8^th.

Memphis 4 vs. Omaha 3    

The Redbirds’ two-run sixth provided the difference in their 4-3 victory over Omaha (40-48) (KC) in the rubber game of the five-game set.  Memphis finishes the season’s first half with a 56-34 mark and a whopping 12 ½-game lead over Round Rock (TEX).

Luke Voit opened the inning with his sixth Triple-A home run.  One out later Oscar Mercado doubled for the 19^th time and scored on Randy Arozarena’s two-out single.  Rangel Ravelo doubled twice in four at bats, crossed home once with an RBI.  The only other Redbird with more than one of their nine hits was leadoff man Mercado, who added a single to his double in four at bats.  Memphis was active on the base paths with Arozarena stealing two bags and Alex Mejia one.

Making his last tune-up before his scheduled start for the Pacific Coast League team in Wednesday’s Triple-A All-Star Game, Dakota Hudson tossed the first four innings.  The right-hander was touched for two runs on six hits and two walks.

Tyler Lyons’ second rehab appearance consisted of three batters, 13 pitches and three strikeouts – two swinging and one looking.  Austin Gomber was credited with his fifth win in eight decisions in his return to Triple-A, after the southpaw surrendered a home run during his three innings on the bump.  Andrew Morales earned his third save.

Monday’s game:  Off for the 2018 Triple-A All-Star Game break

Springfield 4 vs. Midland 0      

Connor Jones tossed six strong frames as the S-Cards shut out the RockHounds, 4-0, clinching the series win with one game remaining in the three-game set.  It is struggling Springfield’s (5-12) first series win since late May. The club moved into third place with the victory, but still trails first-place Tulsa (LAD) by seven games.

Facing Midland for the second consecutive start, Jones (W, 5-3) dramatically improved upon his July 3^rd effort in which he was tagged for six runs, five earned, in just 4 2/3 innings.  This time around, the 23-year-old limited his opponents to just three hits and three free passes while fanning four and earns our Player of the Day nod.

Austin Sexton was the first of three relievers completing one frame each.  Sexton worked around a lead-off single and stolen base by inducing two ground outs and a swinging K.  Luke Gregerson followed up on his first rehab appearance for Springfield with a double-play ball that erased his lead-off single.  In his return to Springfield, Hector Mendoza fanned two of three batters faced.

Monday’s game:  vs. Midland (4-13) (OAK), 6:30 pm CT, Mike O’Reilly (2-3, 4.39)

Florida 2 at Palm Beach 1   

The Beach Birds were edged, 2-1, by the Fire Frogs (ATL), who claimed a three-game series sweep on Palm Beach’s home turf.  Palm Beach (7-10) has lost four straight and dropped into a tie for third with Bradenton (PIT). Both teams are a game behind co-leaders Charlotte (TB) and Fort Myers (MIN).

The contest was knotted at zero until the sixth when PB-Cards’ starter Evan Guillory gave up two hits and a base-on-balls, resulting in one run.  But Guillory’s teammates picked him up with a tally in the seventh, leaving the Louisiana native with a no decision.  Guillory allowed five hits and two walks over seven innings with six strikeouts.

Reliever Thomas St. Clair retired just one batter while permitting two hits.  Jacob Patterson used two swinging K’s to escape the jam but was charged with his third loss against four wins after yielding two ninth-inning singles sandwiched around a sac bunt and fly out.

The home team’s sole run scored sans benefit of a hit.  J.B. Woodman opened the seventh by working a free pass.  The right fielder advanced on Shane Billings’ sac bunt and raced to third on a wild pitch.  Stefan Trosclair hit a fly ball deep enough to center to bring Woodman home.

Woodman provided most of the offense, what little there was of it.  He went 1-for-3 with a walk and strikeout.  A single by Chase Pinder accounted for the team’s other hit and Trosclair drew the other walk.

Monday’s game:  vs. first-place Fort Myers (8-9) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, TBA

Peoria 2 at Wisconsin 1        

Elehuris Montero’s 11^th jack of the season lifted the Chiefs over the Timber Rattlers, 2-1.  Peoria (9-6) holds a two-games-to-one series’ lead with one game remaining and is tied for second with Beloit (OAK), three games in back of Cedar Rapids (MIN).

The home run was Montero’s only hit in four at bats and the only one of his squad’s 10 hits to go for extra bases.  Julio Rodriguez and Matt Fiedler led the Chiefs with two singles in four at bats.  Fielder garnered an RBI when he drove in Yariel Gonzalez (single) for a 1-0 lead after two.

Johan Oviedo (W, 4-7) compiled a solid effort, working around three hits and four walks through six frames.  The only tally charged to him was the product of a long ball.  Oviedo fanned five.  Patrick Dayton, Zach Prendergast and Kodi Whitley each tossed a clean inning, with Whitley picking up his fourth save.

Monday’s game:  at Wisconsin (6-10) (MIL), 12:05 pm CT, Paul Balestrieri (5-3, 3.88)

State College 3 at Batavia 8       

The Spikes led early only to eventually lose to the Muckdogs, 8-3, evening the series at one game apiece with one on tap.  State College (9-14) is tied for fifth/last with Williamsport (PHI), as both trail Mahoning Valley (CLE) by seven games.

State College led 3-2 after five, but six unanswered Batavia runs resulted in a loss for starter Angel Rondon, who is still seeking his first win of 2018 in four decisions.  Rondon gave up four runs on seven hits – including a solo shot – and two walks in six plus frames.

The pitching of Jacob Schlesener and Cory Malcom pretty much put the game out of reach.  Schlesener retired one batter, allowing one inherited runner to score while yielding a hit and walk plus a hit batsman.  All three of his base runners scored with Malcom on the mound, who also permitted a run of his own on two hits in 1 2/3.

All three Spikes’ tallies were produced by two home runs in the third.  Left fielder Andres Luna led off with his first long ball, followed by Edwin Figuera’s single.  Figuera crossed home plate after Brady Whalen went yard for the second consecutive game.  Luna, Figuera and Delvin Perez each had two of their team’s nine hits.  Perez’ two singles in four at bats raised his batting average to .400 over his last 10 games.  Figuera and Perez both swiped a bag.

Monday’s game:  at third-place Batavia (11-11) (MIA), 7:05 pm ET, Jim Voyles (1-1, 3.60)

Pulaski 5 at Johnson City 4         

Stung by shaky defense, the JC-Cards could not hold an early lead, falling to Pulaski, 5-4.  Each team has won one of the first two of the three-game series.  Only two games separate the division-leading Mets and fourth-place Johnson City (8-9).

Johnson City continues to dominate the home run category, adding three more for a league-leading 30 bombs.  (Their nearest competition has 18.)  Dariel Gomez, Zach Jackson and Michael Perri all sent one out of the park, with Gomez’ coming with a runner aboard.

Gomez and Jackson were among four Appy Birds with a multi-hit performance, led by center fielder Brandon Riley, who went 3-for-5.  Gomez, Jackson and Nolan Gorman all were 2-for-4 with a run scored.  Defensively, right fielder Brian Sanchez and catcher Jackson were charged with a miscue but Sanchez was also credited with an outfield assist at second.

Starter Noel De Jesus was bitten by both of those fifth-inning bobbles that led to only one of the four runs surrendered in that frame being earned.  De Jesus struck out six in 4 2/3, yielding four hits and two walks.

Mike Brettell fanned five during his 2 1/3-inning stint, gave up a hit and allowed his inherited runner to score.  David Oca (L, 1-2) hurled a clean eighth but permitted the deciding tally on a lead-off double, wild pitch and RBI single in the final inning.

Monday’s game:  vs. Pulaski (8-11) (NYY), 7:00 pm ET, Dionis Zamora (0-2, 7.45)

GCL Cardinals – off

The GCL Cardinals (12-5) were idle Sunday, perhaps are enjoying their one game lead over the GCL Mets in the East Division of the Gulf Coast League.

Monday’s game:  at fourth-place GCL Astros (6-11), 12:00 pm ET, Enmanuel Solano (2-0, 4.26)

DSL Cardinals Blue – off  

The Dominican Summer League is off Sundays.  The DSL Cardinals Blue (21-10) is locked in a first place battle with the DSL Twins.

Monday’s game:  at seventh-place DSL Phillies Red (9-22), 10:30 am ET, Julio Puello (3-0, 1.63)

DSL Cardinals Red – off  

The DSL Cardinals Red (17-14) rode a recent 13-4 hot streak into their weekly off day and sit third in the San Pedro Division, 2 ½ games behind the DSL Brewers.

Monday’s game:  vs. fourth-place DSL Phillies White (16-14), 10:30 am ET, Ludwin Jimenez (1-1, 4.15) or Ronald Suarez (0-2, 5.51)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Johnson City Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 3

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photo: Delvin Perez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-5 on Thursday. State College shortstop Delvin Perez is our Player of the Day after going 3-for-4 with a run scored in the Spikes’ road shutout win.

Results from the games played Thursday, July 5^th.

Omaha 3 at Memphis 0

The Redbirds came out on the wrong end of another low-scoring affair versus the Storm Chasers, this time losing 3-0 at AutoZone Park.  Memphis (53-34) has dropped the first two of a nine-game stand versus sub-.500 Omaha, five at home, four away, and lead the American Southern Division by 11 ½ over Round Rock (TEX).

Jake Woodford (L, 0-2) tossed a quality start but still came up short in the win column, after permitting three tallies on six hits and a walk over 6 1/3.  Two of his three runs were produced by a home run.

Tommy Layne fanned both batters faced, leaving Woodford’s last runner aboard.  Hector Mendoza successfully navigated around a hit and base-on-balls in the eighth before Landon Beck faced the minimum in the ninth.

The home team matched their guests’ seven hits but went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine on base.  Wilfredo Tovar, the ninth-place hitter, singled twice in four at bats with a strikeout.  He was the only Redbird with a multi-hit effort.

Friday’s game:  vs. Omaha (40-45) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Daniel Poncedeleon (7-3, 2.57)

Frisco 4 at Springfield 2

Anthony Shew struck out seven over seven quality innings, but it was not enough in the S-Cards’ 4-2 home loss to the RoughRiders.  Springfield (2-12) will try to salvage the third and final game of the series on Friday.  They are dead last in the North Division of the Texas League and already trail Arkansas (SEA) and Tulsa (LAD) by 7 ½ in the second-half standings.

All three tallies yielded by Shew (L, 4-4) occurred in the third, the result of four of the five hits the righty gave up.  One was a lead-off long ball.  Shew did not issue a free pass and threw 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes.  Jacob Evans permitted an insurance run on two hits in the ninth, the second of his two innings on the bump.

Springfield outhit Frisco 10 to seven, but went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position.  Eight of nine starters had at least one hit, beginning at the top of the order as Tommy Edman and number two hitter Lane Thomas had two hits apiece.  Edman singled and tripled in three at bats with two walks and an RBI while Thomas went 2-for-5 with a strikeout.  Edman also stole his 16^th base.

The table-setters did their job, but the middle-of-the order batters – Andrew Knizner, Chris Chinea and John Nogowski – managed just three singles in 13 at-bats.

Friday’s game:  vs. Frisco (10-4) (TEX), 7:10 pm CT, Austin Warner (0-2, 10.13)

Daytona 4 at Palm Beach 3

The Beach Birds rallied to tie only to be edged by the Tortugas in the late innings, losing 4-3 in a split of the brief two-game set.  Palm Beach (7-7) remains in a tie atop the South Division with Fort Myers (MIN), a half game up on St. Lucie (NYM), all three teams losing on Thursday.

Starter Ian Oxnevad lasted just three frames, yielding three runs on five hits and three free passes, one intentional.  John Kilichowski kept Daytona (7-6) (CIN) off the board over two plus innings, walking two.

But Thomas St. Clair gave up what proved to be the difference-maker during his 1 1/3-inning stint. He walked the seventh’s first batter then gave up a single.  St. Clair recorded his last out on a liner to center that advanced the runner just 90 feet from home plate, putting him in position to score on a groundout coaxed by his replacement, Eric Carter.  Carter retired all five batters faced while Jason Zgardowski tossed a clean frame in his return to the Florida State League.

Palm Beach outhit Daytona 11 to six, but the offense was isolated around the first, fifth, seventh and ninth batters in the PB-Card line-up.  Stefan Trosclair, the number five hitter, launched his fourth A-Advanced home run, and went 3-for-4 and took part in one double play.  The first baseman was joined by number nine hitter Juan Yepez, who singled three times in four at bats with a run scored.

The final two Beach Birds with more than one hit were lead-off hitter Chase Pinder and Ryan McCarvel, the number seven batter.  Pinder singled and doubled in five at-bats, touching home once while McCarvel went 2-for-4 with a strikeout.

Friday’s game:  vs. Florida (4-9) (ATL), 6:30 pm ET, Casey Meisner (4-1, 2.95)

Peoria vs. Burlington – cancelled

The fourth and final game of a two away/two at home series between Peoria (8-5) and Burlington (3-11) (LAA) could not be played due to wet grounds.  Since this is the last scheduled meeting between the two teams, the game will not be rescheduled.

The Chiefs were likely disappointed with the lost game as they dominated the season series 11-3 over Burlington, including 10 straight wins at Dozer Park.

Friday’s game:  at Wisconsin (5-9) (MIL), 7:05 pm CT, Alex Fagalde (3-2, 2.09)

State College 8 at Auburn 0 (7 ½)

The Spikes shut out the Doubledays, 8-0, on Thursday, in a game called at the eighth’s midpoint due to rain.  State College (8-12) will got for a sweep of the three-game series when the two squads meet Friday evening.  The Spikes have crawled out of the Pinckney Division’s cellar and are now in fifth, six games behind Mahoning Valley (CLE).

The game remained competitive until State College poured on six runs over the seventh and eighth.  The balanced offensive effort featured all nine starters having at least one of the team’s 11 hits.  Player of the Day Delvin Perez was the only Spike with a multi-hit performance, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.  The 19-year-old shortstop is hitting .333 over his last 10 games, 12-for-36, and registered his first three-hit game of the season.

The Spikes’ pitching duties were split between two hurlers:  Michael Baird and Hector Villalobos.  Baird, St. Louis’ 23^rd-round selection in the recent June First-Year Player draft, gave up three hits while striking out four through the first four frames, in his first start after three relief appearances.  Just up from Johnson City, Villalobos (W, 1-0) limited Auburn to two hits over the last three innings in his short-season A debut.

Friday’s game:  at Auburn (11-8) (WSH), 6:30 pm ET, Jake Dahlberg (0-0, 3.86)

Johnson City 3 at Bristol 6

The JC-Cards could not hold an early lead, falling to the Pirates, 6-3, to even the road series at one game each with one to play.  Johnson City (7-8) is in fourth place in the tight West Division, just two games behind Kingsport (NYM).

Kyle Leahy scattered six hits and a base-on-balls over 4 1/3 frames, surrendering one run.  Leahy, the Cardinals’ 17^th-round pick in this June’s draft, was making his first start after three relief appearances for Johnson City.

Enrique Perez (L, 0-1) recorded the fifth’s last two outs but got the hook after issuing consecutive free passes to open the sixth.  Tommy Parsons (BS, 1) allowed both runners to score plus two of his own during his two innings on the bump, turning a 2-1 lead into a 5-2 hole.  Juan Alvarez struck out the side in the eighth but allowed a run on two hits.

The Appy Birds generated seven hits with Kevin Woodall and Nolan Gorman leading the way with two hits apiece in four at-bats.  Woodall doubled with an RBI while Gorman blasted his sixth home run.

Friday’s game:  at third-place Bristol (8-8) (PIT), 7:00 pm ET, Oniever Diaz (0-1, 7.88)

GCL Cardinals 7 at GCL Marlins 2

The Gulf Cardinals banged out 12 hits on their way to a 7-2 win over the GCL Marlins (5-10).  The Cardinals (10-4) are holding on to first place in the East Division, a half game in front of the Mets.

Eight of nine starters garnered at least one hit with four Gulf Cardinals having two apiece:  Diomedes Del Rio, Ivan Herrera, Andrew Warner and William Jimenez.  Herrera and Warner posted nearly identical lines, going 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and one knocked in.  Herrera worked a free pass and Warner swiped his second base.

Starting for the second straight day, Derian Gonzalez’ third rehab appearance consisted of two walks and two outs, one of them a K.  Cole Aker (W, 2-0) took over at that point, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over four innings after stranding the two inherited runners.  Connor Coward was spotless over 3 1/3, striking out four before Chris Rivera faced the minimum in the ninth.

Friday’s game:  vs. third-place GCL Nationals (7-7), 12:00 pm ET, Brian Pirela (1-0, 4.24)

DSL Cardinals Blue 1 at DSL Twins 4

A sluggish offense led to the C-Blues’ 4-1 road defeat to the DSL Twins.  The Cardinals Blue (19-10) slipped into second place in the South Division with the loss, a game behind the Twins.

The visitors’ bats were awake in the first when doubles by Carlos Soler and Jean Selmo put the Cardinals Blue up 1-0.  But the team was held to just three more hits the rest of the way, including singles by number two hitter Soler and clean-up batter Selmo.  With only four base-on-balls drawn, the team had few opportunities, going 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Starter Inohan Paniagua suffered his third loss in four decisions, yielding three runs on seven hits and two free passes in 5 1/3.  Larimel Soriano finished the sixth, leaving Paniagua’s final runner on base, but gave up a tally on two doubles sandwiched around a wild pitch the next frame.  Newly-signed 17-year-old righty Victor Villanueva capitalized on a strike-‘em-out/throw-‘em-out double play to hurl a one-two-three eighth in his professional debut.

Friday’s game:  vs. DSL Twins (20-9), 10:30 am ET, Angel Cuenca (1-1, 3.12)

DSL Cardinals Red 6 vs. DSL Cubs2 4

The C-Reds exploited their foes’ shaky defense for a big inning that produced a 6-4 victory over the DSL Cubs2.  The Cardinals Red (16-13) have gone 6-2 over their last eight games and climbed into third place in the San Pedro Division, 2 ½ games in back of the Rangers2.

Trailing 3-2 at the fifth’s midpoint, the home team scored four times in the bottom of the frame.  The C-Reds were aided greatly by two errors, a walk, a wild pitch and a hit batsman on the part of the Baby Bears as the Red had only two singles.

Third baseman Francisco Hernandez had almost half of his team’s seven hits, singling three times in three at bats with a sac fly and three RBI.  Batting in front of Hernandez, Adanson Cruz went 2-for-3 with a double, walk, two runs scored and one driven in.  But Cruz was caught stealing in his only stolen base attempt and was charged with his third bobble.

Making his third start in three appearances and seeing his first action since June 11^th, Allinson Benitez gave up just one hit and walk through three innings.  Luis Ortiz was credited with his first win against one loss despite yielding three runs during his two-inning stint.  Wilman Madera struck out six over the final four frames, giving up a run on two hits and a base-on-balls.

Friday’s game:  at DSL Cubs2 (10-18), 10:30 am ET, Ronald Suarez (0-2, 5.51) or Jose Moreno (1-2, 4.85)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Springfield Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 13

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