(photo: Brett Seeburger/Johnson City Cardinals)

Results from games played Sunday, July 9^th.

Memphis 2 at Nashville 1 (10)

A 10^th-inning home run by Breyvic Valera gave the Redbirds a 2-1 victory over the Sounds in the rubber game of the three-game series.  Memphis leads second-place Nashville (42-48) (OAK) by 14 1/2 in the American Southern Division.

Valera’s long ball was his only hit in four at bats and one of just six for the team.  Rangel Ravelo and Adolis Garcia had two hits apiece, with Ravelo driving in Harrison Bader after the center fielder singled with two gone in the sixth.  Garcia swiped two bags.

A quintet of Redbirds hurlers held Nashville to six hits as well.  Josh Zeid gave up three hits and a walk through five.  Zeid was in line for the win until Trey Nielsen (BS, 1) yielded a tally on two hits and a base-on-balls in the sixth’s home half.

The second Memphis appearance for Zach Duke on his rehab trail consisted of working around a hit for a scoreless seventh.  Miguel Socolovich faced the minimum in the eighth while Josh Lucas (W, 6-0) retired all six batters faced, three on strikeouts.

Monday’s game:  Off for the Pacific Coast League All-Star break

MLB All-Star Futures Game – USA 7, World 6

The only Cardinal in this year’s Futures Game was Jack Flaherty of Memphis. The right-hander pitched the sixth inning with a 7-1 lead. Despite throwing 14 of 17 pitches for strikes, Flaherty gave up two runs on two hits, a leadoff single, followed by a double. The runs came home on a sac fly and a ground out.

Springfield 12 vs. Frisco 8

The S-Cards twice rallied from deficits to fly past the RoughRiders, 12-8. Springfield (10-7), which has clinched the three-game series with one to go, moves into sole possession of second place with the win, a game behind Tulsa (LAD).

With Springfield down 3-0 midway through three, Randy Arozarena’s two-run bomb in the bottom of the frame capped a four-run drive, putting Springfield up 4-3.  But in the sixth, Austin Gomber (W, 4-6) served up his second two-run long ball, which only inspired his squad to score six more times when they came to bat that inning.  That scoring was finished off by Kolten Wong’s three-run blast.  The home team padded their lead with two more scores in the seventh.

Wong, making his third rehab start for Springfield, was one of three S-Cards accumulating three hits, joining Andrew Knizner and John Nogowski.  The second baseman added a double and single to his bomb in five at bats, scored twice and drove in four.  Knizner also went 3-for-5, doubling once and touching home twice while Nogowski went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI out of the eight hole.  Arozarena and Jacob Wilson added two hits apiece.

The home runs permitted by Gomber were two of only five hits the lefty gave up over seven innings.  He issued one free pass and fanned five.

Kevin Siegrist was touched for two runs on three hits and a base-on-balls in the seventh, the second outing since his rehab assignment began.  Andrew Morales allowed a hit and walk in his inning on the bump.

Monday’s game:  vs. Frisco (8-9) (TEX), 6:30 pm CT, Matt Pearce (9-5, 3.03)

Palm Beach 2 at Fort Myers 4

Two late tallies doomed the third-place Beach Birds to a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Miracle.  Palm Beach (10-7) will try to salvage the finale of the four-game set on Monday.

Half of the home team’s runs were generated by two solo shots by Fort Myers’ number nine batter.  The second blast came off Hector Mendoza (L, 0-1), breaking a 2-2 eighth-inning tie.  A run charged to Ross Vance later that frame sealed the loss.

Junior Fernandez went the initial 4 1/3, yielding a run on a hit and three walks.  That run scored under Brennan Leitao’s watch, after Fernandez was forced to depart with an arm injury.  It was his first outing after coming off the disabled list. Leitao was charged with a run of his own on three hits over 1 1/3.  Estarlin Arias recorded the eighth-inning’s final out.

The visitors were held to just five hits, the big one a two-run home run by Danny Diekroeger that scored Chris Chinea (single).  Any Young was the only PB-Card with a multi-hit effort, singling twice in three at bats with a stolen base.

Monday’s game:  vs. first-place Fort Myers (11-4) (MIN), 7:05 pm ET, Ryan Helsley (7-2, 3.01)

Peoria 1 at Cedar Rapids 2

The Chiefs came out on the wrong end of a low-scoring affair, losing to the Kernels, 2-1.  Peoria (10-8), which drops into a tie for second with Cedar Rapids with the loss, will try to salvage the fourth and final game of the series on Monday.

The difference was an unearned tally with Juan Perez (L, 2-2) pitching in the seventh.  The righty had limited his opponents to a solo long ball, one of four hits allowed over six.  But Perez was his own worst enemy the next inning.  He fanned his lead-off batter swinging only to have the runner end up on second because of a wild pitch and his subsequent throwing error.  His day ended after an attempted sac bunt resulted in runners at the corners due to another throwing error by Perez.

Keaton Siomkin limited the damage, yielding a sac fly and single before notching two swinging K’s.  Two of the three outs recorded by Yeison Medina were strikeouts.

The visitors’ only run occurred in the second after Stefan Trosclair and Danny Hudzina singled back-to-back with one gone.  Trosclair scored on a sac fly by Juan Yepez.  Peoria managed just one more hit the rest of the game.

Monday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids (9-8) (MIN), 12:05 pm CT, Mike O’Reilly (7-2, 1.76)

State College 12 at Auburn 13 (12)

The Spikes mounted a big ninth-inning rally only to fall to Auburn in 12 innings, 13-12, in the decisive third game of the series.  State College (11-9) slides into a two-way tie for second with Williamsport (PHI) with the defeat, two in back of West Virginia (PIT).

The six-run ninth was generated by four of the team’s 14 hits plus three of their 10 free passes.  Five Spikes produced a multi-hit game, paced by center fielder Scott Hurst, who singled three times in six at bats with a run scored.  Zach Kirtley, Joshua Lopez, Ricardo Bautista and Imeldo Diaz each had two hits, with Kirtley doubling twice and Bautista once and adding a two-run home run.

Only four of 13 runs by the sixth-place Doubledays (7-13) (WSH) were earned, thanks to two State College miscues.  Four of the seven runs allowed by starter Paul Balestrieri in just 2 2/3 were unearned, the righty permitting five hits and two bases-on-balls.

Noel Gonzalez was charged with an earned run, the final score in Auburn’s six-run third.  Andrew Summerville struck out six over the next three, temporarily calming Auburn’s offense.

But four more unearned scores were in the offing, one with Colton Thomson (1 plus IP) and three with Leland Tilley (0.2 IP) at the controls.  Steven Farinaro’s pitching provided respite for the next 2 1/3 before he gave way to Spencer Traynor.  Traynor (L, 2-1) tossed a clean 11^th but permitted the winning tally the next inning.  Erstwhile starter Levi MaVorhis kept the Spikes within one by stranding two inherited runners, but the offense could not answer in the home 12th.

Monday’s game:  Off

Johnson City 2 at Elizabethton 1

The Appy Birds capitalized on Twins’ miscues to edge Elizabethton, 2-1, snapping a six-game losing streak.  Third-place Johnson City (8-10) trails in the series, two games to one, with one on tap.

Each team committed more errors (three apiece) than they scored runs, with all of the game’s tallies unearned.  Two JC-Cards’ flubs put Elizabethton up 1-0 after seven but Johnson City replied with two of their own via a passed ball and two throwing errors by the Twins’ hurler in the eighth.

Reliever Jake Dahlberg (W, 1-0) was assigned the win despite being on the mound when his defense was misfiring in the seventh.  Jacob Patterson struck out three over the next two for his third save.

Dahlberg and Patterson pitched in relief of Brett Seeburger, who fanned six over the first six, blanking his opponents on four hits and one free pass.  That performance in his second professional start earns the southpaw our Player of the Day nod.

Monday’s game:  vs. second-place Elizabethton (12-6), 7:00 pm ET, Jacob Schlesener (0-1, 1.54)

GCL Nationals 4 at GCL Cardinals 3

Four early scores against starter Angel Rondon resulted in a 4-3 loss by the third-place Gulf Cardinals to the first-place Nationals (8-3).

All four tallies, three earned, scored in the first two of Rondon’s four-inning outing.  The 19-year-old allowed eight hits, absorbing his second loss against no wins.

Memphis reliever Rowan Wick continued his rehab assignment with a one-two-three fifth, his fourth scoreless outing in four appearances.  Enrique Perez and Kodi Whitley’s scoreless frames were sandwiched around Alex Fagalde’s two-inning effort.  Fagalde fanned three.

The home team managed eight hits spread among seven players.  Designated hitter Donivan Williams went 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored but was picked off first once.  Center fielder Terry Fuller got his team on the board with a second-inning solo blast, his only hit in four at bats with three strikeouts.

Monday’s game:  at second-place GCL Marlins (6-5), 12:00 pm ET, Kevin Hamann (0-0, 10.80)

DSL Cardinals – off

The Dominican Summer League does not play on Sundays.

Monday’s game:  DSL Cardinals (12-18) vs. DSL Rockies (15-15), 10:30 am ET, Jose Moreno (0-1, 3.72)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Johnson City Cardinals Notebook: 2017 Week 3

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(photo: Brandon Benson/Christopher Shannon/State College Spikes)

Results from games played Thursday, July 6^th.

Memphis 7 at Round Rock 4     

The Redbirds used a five-run fourth to build a commanding lead for a three-game road sweep of the third-place Express (39-48) (TEX), 7-4.  Memphis (54-32) has won four straight and sits a whopping 13 1/2 up on second-place Nashville (OAK).

All seven tallies were generated via home runs from Harrison Bader, Patrick Wisdom and Aledmys Diaz.  Bader, who went yard for the third consecutive game, and Wisdom both hit it out with one on and Diaz did it with two aboard.  It was their only hit in four, three and five at bats, respectively.

Nick Martini did what a lead-off hitter is supposed to do – get on base.  The left fielder went 4-for-5 with two runs scored.  Adolis Garcia had two more of Memphis’ 10 hits, singling twice in four at bats.

A quartet of Memphis hurlers took the mound, starting with Mike Mayers, who likely was not fully stretched out after his recent 10 days in St. Louis’ bullpen. The reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Month went three frames, giving up a run on six hits and a walk.

Tyler Bray (W, 1-0) was charged with three runs, two earned, on four hits in two.  Trey Nielsen grounded the Express’ offense on a hit over the next three and Mark Montgomery struck out the side for his third save.

Friday’s game:  at Nashville (41-46), 7:05 pm CT, Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.27)

 

Springfield 2 vs. Midland 1

Andrew Knizner’s big bomb gave the S-Cards a 2-1 walk-off win over the RockHounds, clinching the three-game series with one to play.  Springfield (8-6) is tied for second with Northwest Arkansas (KC), both teams trailing Tulsa (LAD) by a game.

WALK OFF WINNER FOR YOUR SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS!!! pic.twitter.com/uVMhBvywlh

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) July 7, 2017

Knizner’s home run, his second since joining Springfield from Peoria, was his only hit in three at bats and one of only six hits overall by the S-Cards.  Magneuris Sierra singled and doubled in four at bats with an RBI, his first multi-hit game since June 24^th.  His double drove in Randy Arozarena, who had reached on a fielding error by Midland’s first baseman.  Arozarena ended up at third on the play.  Designated hitter Gabriel Lino singled twice in four at bats.

Randy Arozarena with one of the craziest plays we've seen in years! #SCTop10 @espn @MLB @MiLB pic.twitter.com/qtb3rVeIm1

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) July 7, 2017

But this game belonged to the S-Cards’ pitching staff, who scattered a collective nine hits and four free passes.  Dakota Hudson used eight strikeouts over the first seven innings to negate seven hits, three walks and a hit batsman.  Hudson allowed Midland’s only tally.

Blake McKnight permitted a two-out double in his inning on the bump.  Andrew Morales worked a scoreless ninth despite a hit and walk yielded, putting him in line for his first win of the season.

Friday’s game:  vs. Midland (3-11) (OAK), 7:10 pm CT, Sandy Alcantara (3-5, 5.57)

 

Palm Beach 4 vs. Bradenton 3 (12)

It took 12 innings, but the Beach Birds finally prevailed over third-place Bradenton, 4-3, in the rubber game of the series.  The victory keeps Palm Beach (10-4) a half game up on second-place Fort Myers (MIN) heading into their three-game road series.

Thomas Spitz worked his second free pass of the game with one gone in the 12^th.  A two-out single by Danny Diekroeger moved Spitz to third and Blake Drake’s bunt single back to the mound gave the PB-Cards the walk-off win.

Diekroeger’s single was his third hit in six at bats, as he joined Chris Chinea, who scored one and knocked in another.  Drake and Andy Young both singled twice with an RBI. Drake was one of three Beach Birds with a stolen base along with Spitz and Lane Thomas.

The home team had a chance to win it in regulation, but the Marauders (8-6) (PIT) tied it up with a ninth-inning tally against the combination of Ramon Santos and Jacob Evans (BS, 2).  Santos struck out two but allowed a double, with the baserunner scoring on the only hit Evans allowed in 1 1/3.

Jake Woodford tossed six strong frames, holding his opponents to a run on eight hits.  He left with his team up 2-1, but Ross Vance (BS, 2) gave up a tally in the first of his two-inning stint.  Chandler Hawkins finished the game by maneuvering around a hit and two walks over two for his third win in four decisions.

Friday’s game:  at Fort Myers (9-4), 7:05 pm ET, Derian Gonzalez (4-7, 4.09)

 

Peoria 4 vs. Beloit 0

Ian Oxnevad compiled his best start of the season as the Chiefs blanked the Snappers, 4-0, for a three-game series sweep.  Second-place Peoria (10-5) kept pace with league-leading Quad Cities (HOU) with the victory, the latter having won six straight.

Oxnevad (W, 3-8) shut down Beloit (8-7) on just five hits and two free passes through seven.  It was the first time in 15 games that the lefty had held his opponents scoreless.  Oxnevad struck out four with 12 ground- to just two fly-ball outs, earning a co-Player of the Day nod.

Max Almonte and Yeison Medina each worked around two hits for a scoreless frame.

Eight of nine players took part in the Chiefs’ balanced offensive effort with either a hit or RBI.  Danny Hudzina, Dylan Carlson and Mick Fennell went 2-for-4, Hudzina scoring once and the other two knocking in one.  Nick Plummer got a hit for the third time in his last four games.

Friday’s game:  at fourth-place Cedar Rapids (7-8) (MIN), 6:35 pm CT, Frederis Parra (1-1, 3.03)

 

State College 9 at Williamsport 0

Behind a huge night from Brandon Benson, the Spikes drove past the Crosscutters, 9-0, salvaging the third and final series game versus Williamsport (8-9).  State College (10-7) is tied for second with Mahoning Valley (CLE), a game in back of West Virginia (PIT).

Co-Player of the Day Benson ignited his team’s offense, taking part in seven of nine tallies.  The right fielder, St. Louis’ 20^th round pick last month, went 4-for-5 with a triple and grand slam.  Benson crossed home twice. His big fly was the Spikes’ first grand slam in three years and his six total RBI tied the team’s single-game record.

Infielders Evan Mendoza and Zach Kirtley each had three more of 14 team hits, both in four at bats.  Mendoza singled three times with a walk and three runs scored out of the three hole while Kirtley drove in one from the bottom of the order.

That was more than enough firepower to make a winner out of Sam Tewes, who recorded his first victory as a professional in three decisions.  Tewes finished an out shy of seven full frames, permitting six hits and plunking a batter.  Leland Tilley allowed a hit and walk in 2 1/3.

Friday’s game:  vs. sixth-place Auburn (5-12) (WSH), 7:05 pm ET, Daniel Castano (3-0, 1.71)

 

Johnson City 5 at Greeneville 6 (11)

The JC-Cards’ bullpen blew a four-run lead in the ninth, eventually falling to the Astros, 6-5, in 11.  First-place Greeneville’s (10-4) three-game sweep of Johnson City (7-8) leaves the third-place Appy Birds 3 1/2 behind the division leader.

Reliever Thomas St. Clair began the ninth-inning slide, yielding three runs on a hit and two walks while recording just one out.  His last base runner scored under Robert Calvano’s watch.

Calvano (BS, 1) (L, 0-3) gave up an unearned score that sent the game into extras.  The Missouri native tossed a clean 10^th but departed after a base-on-balls and sac bunt put the winning run at second.  Evan Guillory did not retire either of his two batters, issuing a free pass and RBI single.

That end spoiled a strong showing by starter Alvaro Seijas, who scattered eight hits and a walk producing one run over six.  He fanned five.  Jake Walsh matched that strikeout total in just two frames.

Six JC-Cards totaled seven hits, with first baseman Luis Bandes the only one with a multi-hit effort.  The clean-up hitter singled and doubled in four at bats, his double knocking in two in a four-run eighth.  Right fielder Carlos Rodriguez got the scoring started with a solo bomb in the fourth, his third long ball of 2017.

Friday’s game:  at second-place Elizabethton (10-5) (MIN), 7:00 pm ET, Johan Oviedo (1-0, 2.00)

 

GCL Cardinals 11 vs. GCL Astros 10 (10)

A see-saw battle ended with the Gulf Birds winning their fifth straight, this time in walk off fashion, as they downed the GCL Astros 11-10 in 10.  The GCL Cardinals (5-4) are tied for second with the Marlins, a half game in back of the Nationals.

The Astros (4-5) struck first, plating four third-inning runs against starter Brian Pirela, the only frame in which the 19-year-old would be scored upon.  The visitors held a 5-3 lead midway through six, at which point the Gulf Cards pushed across four, taking their first lead.

That advantage held until a three-run top of the ninth resulted in the home team trailing 9-8.  And it took a play at the plate to end the Astros’ scoring.  But the Cardinals capitalized on an error and two wild pitches for an unearned score that sent the game into extras.

The Astros were not done at the plate, however, going up 10-9 with three outs to go.  But the Birds struck last, scoring two times, one earned, for the walk off win.

Pirela headed a sextet of Cardinals’ hurlers, five of whom were scored upon.  Chris Hunt and Noel De Jesus each tossed a frame, Hunt allowing one run and De Jesus holding the distinction of pitching a one-two-three scoreless inning.

Cory Malcom followed DeJesus to the mound, yielding a tally on three hits.  Righty Jim Voyles was charged with three runs while retiring just one batter but two of his runners scored with Patrick Dayton on the mound.  Dayton (BS, 1) (W, 1-0) allowed a run of his own in the 10^th, although it was unearned because of the new rule in which each inning after regulation begins with a runner at second.

The offense exploded for 14 hits, paced by two Cardinals garnering three hits each:  catcher Carlos Soto and left fielder Daniel Gomez.  Third baseman Taylor Bryant and designated hitter Robbie Coleman each had two hits, including Bryant doubling twice.  But the biggest hit belonged to center fielder Terry Fuller, whose single drove in Bryant for the decisive tally.

Friday’s game:  Off

 

DSL Cardinals 9 vs. DSL Nationals 8

The Dominican Birds slipped past the DSL Nationals, 9-8, snapping a four-game losing skid.  The seventh-place Cardinals (11-17) trail the Twins by 12 games.

Two Cardinals had two each of the team’s seven hits: second baseman Pablo Gomez and left fielder Alexander Samuel.  Both went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, including Gomez’ first professional home run.  Carlos Soler had a very active day, both at the plate and in the field.  The center fielder singled once in two at bats, touched home twice, swiped a base, twice was hit by a pitch and was credited with an outfield assist at second.

On the mound, Diego Cordero held his opponents to a tally over the first five but did not retire any of the four batters faced the next inning.  The southpaw’s final line was five runs allowed on seven hits and a walk.  One of the seven hits was a three-run long ball.

17-year-old right-hander Larimel Soriano picked up his first win despite giving up an unearned run on three hits in the sixth.  Rodard Avelino began the seventh, yielding two hits and a base-on-balls resulting in two tallies, one earned, in 2/3 of an inning.  Dionis Zamora recorded the last seven outs, issuing just one free pass, for his fourth save.

Friday’s game:  at eighth-place DSL Nationals (10-19), 10:30 am ET, Francisco Ventura (1-2, 3.20)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Springfield Cardinals Notebook: 2017 Week 13

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Results from games played Tuesday, July 4^th.

 

Memphis 10 at Round Rock 1

The Redbirds banged out 19 hits, romping past the Express, 10-1, in the first of their three-game series.  Memphis (52-32) has increased its American Southern Division lead to 12 games over Nashville (OAK).

The offensive onslaught, in which all nine starters garnered at least one hit, was spearheaded by Player of the Day Adolis Garcia, who reached base five times, going 4-for-4 with a run scored.  He was also hit by a pitch once.  Harrison Bader went 3-for-5, with a two-run long ball, his 15^th home run of the season.

Breyvic Valera went 3-for-5 as well, touching home once and knocking in two.  Three Redbirds had two hits apiece:  Nick Martini, Aledmys Diaz and Rangel Ravelo.

Starter Jack Flaherty surrendered a solo shot, one of four hits allowed and reached his 65-pitch limit after 3 2/3 innings. The top prospect fanned four.

Working well in long relief, Josh Zeid (W, 5-2) struck out five over 4 1/3, permitting four hits.  Ryan Sherriff faced the minimum in the ninth.

Wednesday’s game:  at third-place Round Rock (39-46) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Marco Gonzales (4-3, 2.68)

 

Springfield 11 at Frisco 4

Anthony Garcia’s grand slam set the tone in the S-Cards’ 11-4 drubbing of Frisco (7-5) (TEX), salvaging the third and final series game.  Springfield (6-6) sits one game behind co-leaders Northwest Arkansas (KC) and Tulsa (LAD) in the North Division.

Garcia’s 11^th bomb of 2017 gave his team a 5-0 lead after four before Springfield poured on a five-run fifth and Bruce Caldwell’s solo shot capped the scoring the next frame – all before their hosts ever got on the scoreboard.  Garcia and Caldwell each went 3-for-4 with a walk, Garcia scoring twice and Caldwell four times.  Garcia swiped his third bag of the season.

Catcher Gabriel Lino added a double to two singles in five at bats, touching home once with an RBI.

The visitors’ mound effort consisted of a trio of hurlers.  Austin Gomber tossed a quality start over seven, permitting three runs on six hits and a base-on-balls.  All three tallies were generated by two home runs.  Ian McKinney yielded a hit and walk in the eighth, resulting in a score before Landon Beck pitched a one-two-three ninth.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Midland (3-9) (OAK), 6:30 pm CT, Matt Pearce (8-5, 2.98)

Bradenton 3 at Palm Beach 1

Beach Birds’ bats were held to just four hits in their 3-1 loss to Bradenton in the home series opener.  The loss puts Palm Beach (8-4) and the Marauders into a tie atop the South Division, a half game in front of Fort Myers (MIN).

Brennan Leitao (L, 3-1) gave up two runs on seven hits and an intentional walk in three, his first start in 21 appearances for Palm Beach this season.  Hector Mendoza tossed three scoreless frames in his second relief effort since being promoted from the DSL.

Zach Duke’s rehab assignment moved from one side of the Jupiter complex to another, going from the GCL team to the PB-Cards.  But for the first time in three appearances, Duke was inserted into the middle of game action, allowing a hit and hit batsman in the seventh.  Jacob Evans struck out four over the final two frames with a run on two hits.

The home team’s sole score came in the fifth after Andy Young singled.  Luke Dykstra sacrificed him to second and FSL Player of the Week Darren Seferina’s two-out single drove him in.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Bradenton (8-4) (PIT), 6:30 pm ET, Ryan Helsley (7-2, 3.01)

 

Peoria 5 vs. Beloit 1

The Chiefs began their three-game home series versus the Snappers with a 5-1 victory.  The win allows second-place Peoria (8-5) to keep pace with division-leading Quad Cities (HOU), which holds a slim one-game margin over Peoria and Beloit.

A trio of Chiefs’ pitchers joined forces to hold their opponents to just four hits:  Juan Perez, Keaton Siomkin and Eric Carter.  Facing the Snappers for the second consecutive start, Perez kept them to a run on two hits and three free passes over six.  Those results are much improved from his June 29^th start, when he permitted five tallies in eight innings.  Siomkin gave up two hits in his two-inning stint and Carter struck out two in his one-two-three ninth.

Seven Peoria starters accumulated nine hits, with Stefan Trosclair and Ryan McCarvel garnering two apiece.  Both players hit home runs. McCarvel’s was with a runner aboard, and he touched home twice on the evening.

Wednesday’s game:   vs. co-second place Beloit (8-5) (OAK), 7:00 pm CT, Mike O’Reilly (6-2, 1.95)

State College 2 at Williamsport 4

Four late Crosscutters tallies produced a 4-2 loss by the Spikes in the first of three games at Williamsport.  With the defeat, State College (9-6) fell into a two-way tie for second with Mahoning Valley (CLE), a game behind West Virginia (PIT).

Starter Anthony Shew (L, 2-1) held his opponents to just two hits and a walk over the first six but gave up two singles and a two-run double the next frame.  He struck out eight and hit a batter.

Steven Farinaro let Shew’s last runner score before recording the seventh’s final out.  Farinaro was charged with a run on three hits and three bases-on-balls, one intentional, in 1 1/3.

Timely hitting was key in the Spikes’ two scores since they were held to just three singles.  All three hits occurred in the third, combined with a fielding error and wild pitch, generating two runs.

Wednesday’s game:  at fourth-place Williamsport (7-8) (PHI), 7:05 pm ET, Levi MaVorhis (0-0, 7.11)

Johnson City 1 at Greeneville 4

The Appy Birds could not recover from an early deficit, falling to Greeneville, 4-1, in the road series opener.  Third-place Johnson City (7-6) trails the first-place Astros by 1 1/2 games in the standings.

Three of the four tallies charged to Franyel Casadilla (L, 0-2) in just 2/3 of an inning were generated by a home run, one of the three hits and three walks given up.  The Cards had strong efforts in long relief as Will Changarotty and Fabian Blanco both pitched 2 2/3-inning efforts, with Changarotty working around four hits and a walk.  Juan Alvarez retired all six batters faced.

The JC-Cards translated five hits into just one score, a home run by right fielder Carlos Talavera.  Second baseman Wood Myers singled twice in four at bats.

Wednesday’s game:  at Greeneville (8-4), 7:00 pm ET, Edwar Ramirez (1-1, 4.09)

 

 

GCL Cardinals 3 at GCL Nationals 2

Single scores in three straight innings rallied the Gulf Birds to a 3-2 win over the first-place GCL Nationals (5-2).  Winners of three straight, the GCL Cardinals (3-4) are tied for third with the GCL Astros, two behind the Nationals.

Down 2-0 through five, the visitors pushed across a run each in the sixth and seventh before Terry Fuller’s first professional home run snapped a 2-2 tie in the eighth.  Fuller led his team’s 11-hit effort, going 3-for-4 out of the five hole.

Elehuris Montero and rehabber Andrew Brodbeck added two hits each, with Montero going 2-for-4 with a run scored and sac fly.  Brodbeck singled twice in five at bats and was one-for-two in stolen base attempts.

Angel Rondon pitched a strong game, yielding two runs on five hits and a walk through six.  Rondon surrendered a solo home run and struck out six.

Right-hander Alex Fagalde limited the opposition to a hit over 1 2/3 for his first professional win.  Patrick Dayton stranded Fagalde’s runner, working around two hits in 1 1/3, for his first save as a pro.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. second-place GCL Marlins (4-3), 12:00 pm ET, Brian Pirela (0-1, 6.00)

DSL Cardinals 5 at DSL Angels 6

The Dominican Cards rallied late to tie but could not break through, suffering a 6-5 walk-off loss to the DSL Angels.  The DSL Cardinals (10-16) are in sixth, 11 behind a red-hot Twins club which holds the best record in the Dominican Summer League.

Oneiver Diaz (L, 0-1) gave up the tie-breaking run on a hit and three walks, one intentional, while recording three outs.  Enmanuel Solano went the first five plus, permitting three runs on five hits and a hit batsman.

Wilman Madera pitched the sixth, allowing a run on three hits and a free pass.  Roy Garcia was charged with a tally on two hits and two walks, one intentional, in 1 2/3.

The visiting Cards struck early with a run in the first, that slim lead holding up until Solano tired in the sixth.  Down 5-1 after seven, the Cardinals tied it up after eight but would score no more.

Six Dominican Birds split eight hits, with catcher Ivan Herrera reaching base four times.  Herrera singled twice in two at bats, worked two free passes, scored one and knocked in another.  First baseman Freddy De Jesus went 2-for-5 with a run scored, striking out twice.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. DSL Angels (13-13), 10:30 am ET, Wilfredo Pereira (0-3, 2.81)

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Results from games played Monday, July 3^rd.

 

Memphis 4 vs. New Orleans 1

Nick Martini had a three-hit night and the bullpen delivered a strong performance in the Redbirds’ 4-1 victory over the Baby Cakes (30-53) (MIA).  Memphis (51-32) took three games of the four-game set.

Martini finished the night a home run shy of the cycle in four at bats and scored once.  Harrison Bader singled and doubled in three at bats, crossed home once and knocked in one.  The center fielder was the only other Redbird with more than one of the team’s nine hits.

Kevin Herget went the first three innings, permitting a tally on three hits.  Herget took Luke Weaver’s start after St. Louis recalled Weaver earlier Monday.  Trey Nielsen allowed three hits over the next two frames.

Miguel Socolovich (W, 2-1) hurled a scoreless sixth and seventh, yielding one hit.  Mark Montgomery retired all six faced for his second save.

Tuesday’s game:  at third-place Round Rock (39-45) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Jack Flaherty (1-1, 4.33)

 

Springfield 1 at Frisco 4

The S-Cards were held to just four hits in their 4-1 loss at Frisco.  Springfield (5-6) has lost the first two games of the series with one to go.

Chris Ellis (L, 0-4) fell one out shy of finishing the fourth, permitting two runs on six hits, two bases-on-balls and a hit batsman.  Dailyn Martinez stranded two inherited runners while pitching the next 2 1/3, yielding two tallies on seven hits.  Pedro Echemendia gave up two hits and plunked a batter during his two innings on the mound.

Bruce Caldwell reached base each time he came to the plate, singling twice in two at bats with two walks.  The team’s only tally came when Magneuris Sierra singled in Casey Turgeon after the latter worked a free pass and stole his third base of 2017.

Tuesday’s game:  at Frisco (7-4) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Austin Gomber (2-6, 4.10)

 

Palm Beach 8 at Charlotte 4

The Beach Birds scored in six of nine innings for an 8-4 victory over Charlotte (4-6) (TB).  Palm Beach (8-3) took the road series, three games to one.

The visitors banged out 14 hits with six PB-Cards having two hits each:  Thomas Spitz, Darren Seferina, Danny Diekroeger, Andy Young, Blake Drake and Luke Dykstra.  Young knocked in three, Spitz and Drake touched home twice and the other three scored once.  Drake hit a solo shot, his third home run of the season.

Connor Jones (W, 6-4) allowed five hits and three walks over 5 2/3, resulting in three scores.  Chandler Hawkins left Jones’ final runner aboard, striking out three in 2 1/3.  Ramon Santos yielded a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. second-place Bradenton (7-4) (PIT), 6:00 pm ET, TBA

 

Peoria 4 at Kane County 5

The Chiefs (7-5) could not get out of an early hole, falling 5-4 to the Cougars (7-5) (ARI).  The two second-place teams split the four-game series.

Starter Evan Kruczynski (L, 0-1) was touched for four of the five scores, giving up seven hits in 3 2/3.  Three of the four runs were produced by a first-inning long ball.

Kruczynski’s final run scored under Frederis Parra’s watch. Parra then allowed a tally of his own on four hits over 2 1/3.  Max Almonte and Yeison Medina each tossed a scoreless frame.

All of Peoria’s scoring occurred in the seventh, when they generated four of their five hits for the game.  The big blow was Juan Yepez’ two-run double, scoring Brian O’Keefe (single) and Ryan McCarvel (walk).  Dylan Carlson had singled to open the inning, touching home on a single to right by Vince Jackson.  In turn Jackson scored his team’s final run via J.R. Davis’ sac fly.

Tuesday’s game:  vs. co-leader Beloit (8-4) (OAK), 5:30 pm CT, Juan Perez (1-1, 2.70)

 

Batavia 5 at State College 4

Three late scores sent State College (9-5) to a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Batavia (6-8) (MIA).  The loss prevented a three-game series sweep by the Spikes.

The home team led 3-2 after six but that was flipped with a two-run seventh.  Both tallies were against reliever Colton Thomson, who struck out eight over three, stranding three inherited, but yielded two hits and a walk.

Paul Balestrieri held the Muckdogs scoreless over the initial three, giving up a hit and two walks.  Andrew Summerville recorded just two outs, allowing two runs on three hits and two free passes.  Robbie Gordon (BS, 1) (0-1) was charged with a run on two hits and a walk in 2 1/3 and let Thomson’s last runner cross.

Three Spikes garnered two hits apiece:  Evan Mendoza, Ricardo Bautista and Edwin Figuera.  Mendoza drove in one in five at bats while Bautista singled and doubled in four at bats with a walk and RBI.  Figuera went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Tuesday’s game:  at fourth-place Williamsport (6-8) (PHI), 1:05 pm ET, Anthony Shew (2-0, 0.84)

 

Pulaski 7 at Johnson City 1

Long balls by the visitors and a quiet night at the plate by the Cardinals resulted in a 7-1 Johnson City loss to Pulaski (9-3) (NYY) in the decisive third game of the series.

Only one of the six hits by third-place Johnson City (7-5) went for extra bases. Shortstop Delvin Perez’ triple drove in Julio Rodriguez (single) for his team’s only tally.  No Appy Bird had more than one hit.

A quartet of JC-Cards pitchers combined to allow just seven hits, but two were home runs, accounting for four tallies.  Jacob Schlesener’s four-inning outing was a mixed bag. The righty (L, 0-1) struck out nine Yankees but walked four, hit a batter and served up a two-run bomb.

Jake Dahlberg was touched for a run on two hits in the sixth before handing the ball off to Paul Salazar.  Salazar surrendered a two-run home run, allowing four runs in all on two hits and two walks while retiring two.  He also plunked a batter.  Evan Guillory quieted things down with 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball, but by then the game was out of reach.

Tuesday’s game:  at second-place Greeneville (7-4) (HOU), 7:00 pm ET, Franyel Casadilla (0-1, 1.29)

 

GCL Cardinals 12 vs. GCL Mets 1

The Gulf Birds (2-4) used a balanced offense to pound the GCL Mets, 12-1, for their second consecutive win after losing the first four of the season.

All nine starters either had at least one of 11 team hits or drove in a run.  First baseman Leandro Cedeno and right fielder Sanel Rosendo each went yard, Cedeno with one and Rosendo with two runners aboard.  Cedeno, Rosendo and shortstop Taylor Bryant had two hits apiece, with Cedeno adding a double and Bryant tripling once while scoring twice.

Junior Gonzalez (W, 1-0) tossed five frames of shutout ball, scattering seven hits and a free pass.  Memphis’ Rowan Wick began his rehab assignment by fanning all three batters faced – two swinging and one looking.

Noel De Jesus faced the minimum in the seventh but Chris Hunt was charged with a run on two hits and a walk in his inning of work.  Gabriel Gentner permitted a hit in the ninth.

Tuesday’s game:  at GCL Nationals (5-1), 12:00 pm ET, Angel Rondon (0-1, 1.50)

 

DSL Cardinals 0 at DSL Twins 3 (7) – Game 1

DSL Twins 8 at DSL Cardinals 5 (7) – Game 2

The DSL Cardinals (10-14) suffered a double-header sweep at the hands of the DSL Twins (19-5) on Monday, 3-0 and 8-5.

The Dominican Birds managed just three hits in the opener, with Ivan Herrera’s double the only one to go for extras.  The catcher did not fare as well on the base paths, being picked off second and caught trying to steal third.

Jose Moreno (L, 0-1) yielded two runs on four hits over four.  He did not issue a free pass.  Nelson Prada was charged with an unearned tally in his two innings of work.

Hector Soto took the loss in the finale, his first against two wins, allowing two runs on four hits in three.  Soto struck out five.  It was the 18-year-old’s first start in six appearances.

Rodard Avelino had a hard time finding the strike zone, issuing more free passes (three) than he recorded outs (two).  Avelino was charged with three runs.

Leonardo Taveras limited further damage to Avelino by leaving the latter’s last runner aboard but allowed three hits and a walk over 2 1/3.  All three of the runs charged to Taveras crossed home with Dionis Zamora on the mound.  Zamora struck out the side but gave up a hit and walk.

The DSL Cardinals supplemented their five hits with five bases-on-balls.  Second baseman Erik Pena and first baseman Freddy De Jesus each had two hits, Pena doubling once with two runs scored and De Jesus touching home one time.

Tuesday’s game:  at DSL Angels (12-13), 10:30 am ET, Enmanuel Solano (1-0, 4.91)

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Results from games played Sunday, July 2^nd.

New Orleans 10 at Memphis 3     

It was a long Sunday afternoon for Redbirds’ hurlers as New Orleans thumped Memphis, 10-3.  The Redbirds (50-32) lead the series, two games to one, with one on tap. The club is 10 games up on second-place Nashville (OAK).

Four Memphis pitchers took the mound against the team with the weakest record in the entire Pacific Coast League and three of them gave up runs.  John Gant took the loss, his fourth in five decisions, yielding four runs, three earned, on 10 hits and a walk through five.  He fanned six and served up a two-run long ball.

Tyler Bray pretty much ended any hopes his team might have had of a comeback, surrendering five runs on five hits and a free pass in 1 2/3.  Trey Nielsen stranded one inherited runner but allowed a tally on two hits the next frame.  Josh Lucas tossed a clean ninth.

Two of the home team’s three scores came off solo shots by Harrison Bader and Wilfredo Tovar.  They were two of three Redbirds with two hits each, joined by Adolis Garcia.

Monday’s game:  vs. New Orleans (29-52) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Luke Weaver (7-1, 1.93)

Springfield 4 at Frisco 8

Four late scores against the S-Cards’ bullpen for the second time in the last three games sent them to an 8-4 loss at Frisco in the series opener.  Springfield (5-5) is a game behind co-leaders Northwest Arkansas (KC) and Tulsa (LAD) in the North Division.

Blake McKnight allowed three runs in the eighth, his second inning of work, leaving him with his fifth loss in six decisions.  Cory Littrell plunked his only batter faced, leaving Andrew Morales to permit all three baserunners to score on a walk and two-run single.

Sandy Alcantara started, yielding four tallies on five hits and two free passes through six.  Two of the four runs came on a long ball.  Alcantara fanned six.

Eight of nine Springfield players had at least one hit with Tommy Edman the only one with multiples.  Edman singled and tripled in four at bats, scoring once.  John Nogowski added a two-run shot and Casey Turgeon launched a solo bomb, his first of 2017.  Defensively, left fielder Turgeon was credited with an outfield assist, throwing a runner out at third.

Monday’s game:  at Frisco (6-4) (TEX), 7:05 pm CT, Chris Ellis (0-3, 5.09)

 

Palm Beach 8 at Charlotte 1

Five late tallies blew open a close game, resulting in the Beach Birds flying past the Stone Crabs, 8-1.  First-place Palm Beach (7-3) holds a two-games-to-one series lead with one to play and is a half of a game in front of both Bradenton (MIL) and Fort Myers (MIN).

The visitors scored early and late, pushing across three tallies in the initial two frames plus five more in the seventh through ninth.  The 16-hit attack featured either a hit or RBI from eight of nine players and multi-hit performances from six starters.  Shane Billings led the way, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and a strikeout.  The left fielder is our Player of the Day.

Center fielder Thomas Spitz went 3-for-4 with a solo shot, walk and stolen base.  Four PB-Cards had two hits apiece:  Darren Seferina, Danny Diekroeger, Jose Godoy and Luke Dykstra.  Seferina, like Spitz, went yard once with a stolen base. Defensively, the shortstop committed his sixth error.

Derian Gonzalez (W, 4-7) tossed a strong effort, limiting Charlotte to an unearned run over six.  The righty yielded six hits and two free passes.  Hector Mendoza walked one in the seventh before Brady Bowen scattered three hits over the last two innings.

Monday’s game:  at Charlotte (4-5) (4-4), 6:05 pm ET, TBA

 

Peoria 8 at Kane County 1

Jordan Hicks’ pitching and Brian O’Keefe’s two-bomb night helped the Chiefs down the Cougars, 8-1.  Peoria (7-4) has clinched the three-game series with one to go and is in a three-way tie for first with Beloit (OAK) and Quad Cities (HOU), a game ahead of Kane County.

O’Keefe’s first home run came with the bases clear and was part of a two-run fourth that put the visitors up 2-0.  He launched his second long ball with two aboard, providing half of his squad’s tallies in the ninth.

Designated hitter Vince Jackson accounted for three scores, doubling three times in four at bats with a run scored and two driven in.  Jackson was one of three Chiefs to be caught stealing.

Mick Fennell also had three hits, going 3-for-5 with a run scored and RBI.  Fennell was another of the Peoria players to be nailed trying to swipe a bag.

Hicks (W, 8-2) had a stellar outing, fanning nine over eight scoreless frames.  The 20-year-old gave up just four hits and two bases-on-balls.  Dewin Perez surrendered a solo bomb in the ninth.

Monday’s game:  at Kane County (6-5) (ARI), 6:30 pm CT, Evan Kruczynski (0-0, 0.00)

 

State College 3 vs. Batavia 1

The Spikes muzzled the Muckdogs, 3-1, taking a two-games-to-none series lead with one on tap.  First-place State College (9-4) has a one-game advantage over Both Mahoning Valley (CLE) and West Virginia (PIT) in the Pinckney Division.

First baseman Tyler Lancaster had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and one driven in.  Right fielder Brandon Benson singled twice in four at bats, touched home one time with an RBI and stolen base.  State College had seven hits in all.

Jonathon Mulford struck out six over five scoreless, working around four hits and five walks.  He left with his team up 1-0 but an unearned run against Spencer Traynor (BS, 1) (W, 2-0) prevented Mulford from picking up the win.  Will Latcham fanned three over two frames for his first professional save.

Monday’s game:  vs. Batavia (5-8) (MIA), 7:05 pm ET, Anthony Shew (2-0, 0.84)

 

Pulaski 3 at Johnson City 2 (7) – Game 1

Johnson City 4 at Pulaski 2 (7) – Game 2

Johnson City split its double-header series opener with Pulaski, falling 3-2 in the opener, but claiming the finale 4-2. The extra game covered Friday’s rainout. The Appy Birds (7-4) are in a three-way tie for first with Elizabethton (MIN) and Greeneville (HOU).

Johan Oviedo yielded two runs in the first of his three-inning stint.  He allowed two hits, walked two, hit a batter and committed two balks.

Robert Calvano (L, 0-2) fanned four over three but permitted the difference-making score on three hits and a walk.  Jake Walsh tossed a one-two-three seventh.

Delvin Perez, the only JC-Card with more than one of the team’s six hits, singled twice in three at bats out of the eight hole.  Wood Myers went 1-for-2 with a run scored while J.D. Murders scored the other run.

In the nightcap, the home team snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run sixth.  Walker Robbins’ sac fly scored Chase Pinder (walk) for the go-ahead tally and Irving Wilson added an insurance run when he doubled home Carlos Rodriguez (single).

Wilson’s perfect night at the plate ended a home run shy of the cycle, as the designated hitter went 3-for-3 with two walks and run scored.  Pinder singled and doubled in two at bats with a base-on-balls, crossed home twice and threw a strike from right field that nailed a Yankee baserunner at the plate.

Monday’s game:  vs. Pulaski (8-3) (NYY), 7:00 pm ET, Jacob Schlesener (0-0, 0.00)

 

GCL Cardinals – off

The fifth-place GCL Cardinals (1-4) look to build on their first win of the season from Saturday when they face the third-place Mets on Monday.

Monday’s game:  vs. GCL Mets (2-3), 12:00 pm ET, Junior Gonzalez (0-0, 6.75) or Austin Warner (0-0, 0.00)

 

DSL Cardinals – off

The Dominican Summer League is idle on Sundays.

Monday’s game:  DSL Cardinals (10-13) at DSL Twins (18-5), 10:30 am ET, Wilfredo Pereira (0-3, 2.81)

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