Photo: Connor Thomas (Memphis Redbirds)

All four teams sent the holiday crowd home happy on Sunday as St Louis’ minors swept their opponents for the second straight day.  Leading a number of noteworthy performances was Connor Thomas’ start at Memphis.  Honorable mentions go out to Tyler Pike’s and Jack Ralston’s mound work for Springfield and Peoria, respectively, while the Palm Beach bullpen was nails.

Results from games played Sunday, July 4^th

Memphis 2 vs Jacksonville 1
Connor Thomas was outstanding over seven frames as the Redbirds edged the Jumbo Shrimp in the series’ finale, 2-1.  Memphis (21-33) and Jacksonville (29-23)(MIA) each won three of the six-game set.

Player of the Day Thomas (W, 3-0), St Louis’ fifth-round pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, faced just two batters over the minimum, yielding a hit and walk with four strikeouts.  The lefty threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes and singled once in two at bats.

Connor Thomas

Memphis led 2-0 at Thomas’ departure but their shutout bid ended under Seth Elledge’s watch.  Elledge allowed three hits generating a run in his only inning on the mound.

Connor Jones pitched the ninth, giving up a lead-off single before sandwiching a fly out to right between a force at second and a 6-3 ground out.  It was Jones’ second save of 2021.

The Redbirds’ offense found runs in scarce supply themselves as they were held to six hits.  Conner Capel launched his fourth home run with two gone and the bases clean, giving his team a 1-0 lead after two frames.  The right fielder later worked a base-on-balls, going 1-for-2 with a walk to go with his run scored/RBI.

Conner Capel's favorite Fourth of July meal?

Tacos, oppo-tacos.

That's another @IntlPaperCo 💣 to give us the early lead! pic.twitter.com/RfSx2BXoMn

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) July 5, 2021

That score held until first baseman Juan Yepez singled to kick off the fourth, his only hit in four at bats.  Catcher Ali Sanchez’s line-drive double to center was enough to score Yepez from first for a 2-0 lead.  Sanchez was the only Redbird with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 with his fourth two-bagger.

Monday’s game:  Off
Tuesday’s game:  at Louisville (21-31)(CIN),  6:00  pm CT, Matthew Liberatore (3-4, 4.40)

Springfield 7 vs Northwest Arkansas 2
A 12-hit offensive explosion mixed with strong pitching translated to the S-Cards’ 7-2 home victory over Northwest Arkansas (27-25)(KC).  Springfield (18-36) claimed two of the six games in the recently completed series.

The ‘Parade of the Bats’ was led by shortstop Brendan Donovan who went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored out of the two hole.  Three Springfield players had two hits apiece:  centerfielder Justin Toerner, left fielder David Vinsky and third baseman Malcom Nunez.  Toerner reached base three times, going 2-for-4 with a double, base-on-balls, crossing home twice and knocking in one.

Brendan Donovan

Toerner did his damage in the lead off slot while Vinsky’s spot in the order was at the other end, the nine hole.  Vinsky singled twice in four at bats, touching home two times.

Last but not least in the multi-hit column is Nunez who put up a pair of ‘firsts’ in his 2-for-5 effort.  One of the Cuban’s two hits was a solo shot, his first Double-A home run while his two-hit night was Nunez’ first multi-hit performance in seven games since his promotion from A-Advanced Peoria.

🚨 Malcom Nunez first Double-A home run alert 🚨 pic.twitter.com/3lxJRRjsxk

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) July 4, 2021

Tyler Pike’s strong mound work spearheaded a quartet of S-Card hurlers holding the Naturals to two tallies.  Pike (W, 1-2) limited Northwest Arkansas to a run on five hits and a walk through six frames but yielded a lead-off double and two-out RBI single the next inning, leading to his departure.  The southpaw struck out 11 in earning his first victory in affiliated ball since 2017.

Tyler Pike

Evan Sisk, Kodi Whitley and Jacob Bosiokovic shared pitching duties the rest of the way.  Sisk yielded a single before recording the seventh’s last out, giving way to Whitley.  Whitley continued his rehab assignment with a one-two-three eighth before Bosiokovic issued a ninth-inning free pass.

Monday’s game:  Off
Tuesday’s game:  vs Tulsa (30-23)(LAD), 6:35  pm CT, Andre Pallante (3-2, 2.72)

Peoria 4 vs West Michigan 1
Pedro Pages’ bases-clearing double snapped a late tie as the Chiefs tamed the Whitecaps, 4-1.  After dropping the initial three games, Peoria (22-32) clawed back for a 3-3 split of their six-game home set versus West Michigan (25-27)(DET).

Pages’ two-bagger came with Zade Richardson (walk), Matt Chamberlain (fielder’s choice) and Jordan Walker (force out) aboard and two gone in the eighth.  It was the catcher’s second hit in three at bats to go with two base-on-balls.  All three tallies were unearned due to a throwing error by the Whitecaps’ second baseman allowing Chamberlain to reach.

Peoria garnered 10 hits in all, paced by Moises Castillo who went 3-for-4 with a double and stolen base.   The shortstop was thrown out at home prior to Pages’ big hit.

Moises Castillo

Brady Whalen joined Chamberlain and Pages with a two-hit display, all three players doubling once with Whalen adding an intentional walk, RBI and hit-by-pitch.  Jordan Walker reached base twice, going 1-for-4 with a double, walk and the aforementioned run scored.

Four Chiefs pitchers joined forces to limit their opponents to just four hits, beginning with Jack Ralston.  Ralston tossed five innings of one-run ball, holding West Michigan to a run on two hits and a base-on-balls while striking out five.  One of the two hits was a home run.  It was the 23-year-old’s best effort since May 29^th when he blanked Beloit over six innings.

Jack Ralston

Fabian Blanco took the sixth, fanning two and allowing a hit.  Right-hander Paul Schwendel (W, 1-0) retired all six batters faced, striking out four, earning the 31-year-old his first win in affiliated ball since 2014.  Freddy Pacheco gave up a hit with two strikeouts for his fourth save.

Monday’s game:  Off
Tuesday’s game:  at Cedar Rapids (28-26)(MIN), 6:35  pm CT, Connor Lunn (3-3, 5.14)

Palm Beach 7 vs Dunedin 4
The Beach Birds never looked back after scoring early, flying past the Blue Jays, 7-4.  It was the eighth win in their last 10 games for Palm Beach (22-32), a span including five of six versus Dunedin (21-32)(TOR).

The PB-Cards scored all seven tallies in the initial four frames, beginning with a four-run first. Jacob Buchberger gathered three of his team’s 12 hits, going 3-for-5 with a double, run scored and one driven in.

Three Beach Birds garnered two hits apiece:  right fielder Matt Koperniak, designated hitter Jose Zapata and catcher Edgardo Rodriguez.  Koperniak and Zapata posted nearly identical lines, both players going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI’s, the former working two free passes and the latter walking once.  Each player had a hit go for extra bases, Koperniak smashing his sixth double while the 20-year-old Zapata launched a two-run home run, his first of 2021.

Jose Zapata

Ludwin Jimenez struggled in his start, yielding four runs on six hits and two walks over 3 2/3 frames.  The righty fanned four.

The bullpen, however, was stellar.  Reinys Portillo kept Dunedin off the board over the next 2 1/3 innings, issuing two free passes and striking out three.  Edwin Nunez tossed two clean frames, permitting a hit and base-on-balls before handing the ball off to Edgar Manzo for the ninth.  Manzo worked around a lead-off single and stolen base for his first professional save.

Monday’s game:  Off
Tuesday’s game:   at Lakeland  (27-35) (DET), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

Florida Complex League Cardinals – off
The Florida Complex League does not play on Sundays.

Monday’s game:  Off
Tuesday’s game:  FCL Cardinals (2-3) at FCL Mets (3-2), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Springfield Cardinals Notebook – 2021 Week 8

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

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Photo: Wilfredo Pereira (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)

Luis Rodriguez’ offensive performance led the FCL Cardinals to their first win, one of two victories in five games on Thursday.  Wilfredo Pereira’s sterling relief effort was not enough to prevent Peoria from dropping a twin bill, while Springfield went down to defeat as well.  Memphis’ contest was rained out.

Results from the games played Thursday, July 1^st

Memphis vs Jacksonville – postponed
Game three of six between Memphis (19-31) and Jacksonville was postponed due to rain.  It has been rescheduled as part of a twin bill on Friday, July 2^nd with game one beginning at 4:30 pm CT.  Each team has claimed one of the two completed contests.

Friday’s games:  vs Jacksonville (27-21)(MIA).  Game one – 4:30 pm CT, Jake Woodford (0-0, —)(Triple-A season debut)/Tommy Parsons (1-4, 6.27)

Springfield 5 vs Northwest Arkansas 9
S-Card hurlers were unable to hold a late-inning lead once again, falling to Northwest Arkansas, 9-5.  Springfield (16-35) has lost the first three of their six-game home series versus the Naturals.

Starter Dalton Roach (L, 3-5) held his opponents to one run on five hits and a walk through six frames, taking a 3-1 lead into the seventh.  But the right-hander did not retire any of three batters faced the next inning, surrendering back-to-back solo long balls and issuing a base-on-balls eliciting a pitching change.

Edgar Escobar allowed his inherited runner to score plus one of his own before escaping the seventh then jammed the sacks full with none out in the eighth.  Escobar was charged with four runs on three hits, two base-on-balls and a sac fly.

Jacob Bosiokovic gave up two hits resulting in a four-run frame, three tallies charged to Escobar and one to Bosiokovic.  Patrick Dayton tossed a one-two-three ninth.

The offense accumulated 10 hits with Nick Dunn’s three-hit effort leading the way.  The second baseman went 3-for-4, crossed home once and drove in one.  One of Brendan Donovan’s two hits in three at bats was a two-run bomb with Dunn aboard, closing the gap to 9-5 after eight.

Nick Dunn

Friday’s game:  vs Northwest Arkansas (26-23)(KC), 7:05 pm CT,  Domingo Robles (2-2, 4.71)

Peoria 2 vs West Michigan 4  (7)  – game one

Peoria 2 vs West Michigan 3  (7)  – game two
The Chiefs were swept in a Thursday double header, 4-2 and 3-2, both games in seven innings.  Peoria (19-31) has yet to put one in the win column in three tries during this six-game series.

Starter Michael YaSenka retired just eight batters in the opener, yielding four runs, three earned, on four hits and four free passes issued.  One of the four hits was a home run with the bases empty.

A trio of Chiefs relievers held the Whitecaps scoreless the rest of the way.  Leonardo Taveras recorded four outs, walking one and stranding two inherited runners.  Nathanael Heredia pitched two clean frames, issuing a free pass, while a caught stealing helped Cole Aker navigate successfully around two hits and a base-on-balls during his inning of work.

Peoria’s offense outhit their opponents, seven to six, but were shy of tangible results.  The only Chief with more than one hit was Chandler Redmond who went 2-for-3, the run he scored occurring as part of a double steal.  Jordan Walker singled and scored his team’s other tally, his only hit in five at bats.

Chandler Redmond

In game two, a rally by the home team came just short as the Chiefs were unable to push across what represented the tying run in the game’s final inning.

Down 3-0 through six and facing a no-hit bid, Peoria kicked off the seventh with consecutive singles by Walker and Brady Whalen.  Leandro Cedeno’s force at second removed Whalen but Moises Castillo’s single to left drove in Walker.  After a pitching change, Zade Richardson was caught looking at strike three but a single by Francisco Hernandez scored Cedeno, advancing Castillo to third where he was stranded.

Whereas the Chiefs did all their damage in the game’s last inning, all three of West Michigan’s hits occurred in the first.  Starter Mac Lardner displayed rust in his first action since going on the Injured List on May 28^th.  The lefty tossed just one frame, yielding three scores on a double, single, sac fly and two-run home run.

Co-Player of the Day Wilfredo Pereira impressed in his five-inning relief stint, striking out nine and not allowing a base runner.  Paul Schwendel used a caught stealing to erase a lead-off walk for a one-two-three seventh.

Wilfredo Pereira

Friday’s game:  vs West Michigan (24-24)(DET), 6:35 pm CT, Logan Gragg (0-3, 6.33)

Palm Beach 4 vs Dunedin 3
Jacob Buchberger’s two-run single broke a 2-2 eight-inning tie as the Beach Birds held on to edge the Blue Jays, 4-3.  Palm Beach (20-31) has won six of its last seven games including the first three of their six-game set versus Dunedin.

The contest did not generate much offense with both squads limited to just three hits.  The PB-Cards plated two first-inning tallies when Buchberger reached on a throwing error by the Blue Jays third baseman.  The errant throw allowed Tommy Jew (walk) and Todd Lott (double) to score.

The 2-0 lead held until the seventh when a two-run double off Sean Kealey knotted the game at 2-2 and set up Buchberger’s big hit.  Both runs scored – one charged to Kealey and the other to his predecessor Edwin Nunez, were unearned because of a missed catch error by second baseman Donivan Williams.

All five outs recorded by Kealey (W, 2-1)(BS,1) were strikeouts, the southpaw giving up a walk and double.  The 23-year-old was the third of four Palm Beach hurlers to see action.

Kealey pitched in support of starter John Beller who tossed three strong frames, fanning five and issuing two free passes.  Nunez struck out seven in 3 1/3 innings, walking one batter who came around to score under Kealey’s watch. Palm Beach pitching’s 18 strikeouts set a new franchise all-time single-game record.

Edwin Nuñez

Things got a tad too exciting in the ninth after Luis Ortiz allowed a ground-rule double, walk, RBI single and wild pitch putting two runners in scoring position with a one-run lead and only one out.  But Ortiz coaxed a fly out to shallow right before recording a swinging K for his first save.

Friday’s game: vs Dunedin (20-30) (TOR), 6:30 pm ET, Levi Prater (1-3, 3.83)

Florida Complex League Cardinals 10 at FCL Astros 3 (7)
An offensive explosion combined with a solid bullpen generated the FCL Cardinals’ first win, a decisive 10-3 victory over the FCL Astros in seven frames.

The Florida Birds (1-2) banged out 16 hits, paced by shortstop Jeremy Rivas’ four-hit performance.  Rivas singled four times in five at bats with a run scored and two RBI’s.

But the most productive bat belonged to co-Player of the Day Luis Rodriguez who reached base four times.  The first baseman was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, base-on-balls, touched home twice and drove in two.  Left fielder Luis Montano had three hits as well in four at bats, doubled once, scored one run and knocked in another.

Luis C. Rodriguez

The final player with a multi-hit effort was catcher Roblin Heredia who went 2-for-3 with a walk, hit-by-pitch and two RBI’s.  The 18-year-old was caught napping at first once.

A quartet of Florida Bird hurlers took the mound, beginning with Jose Davila, The 18-year-old righty went four innings, yielding four hits and three base-on-balls generating three runs.  Davila plunked one batter.

Victor Villanueva (W, 1-0) was nails in the fifth, facing the minimum with two strikeouts.  Ettore Giulianelli worked around two hits and a walk for a clean sixth in his professional debut.  Tink Hence, the bullpen’s third righty of the day, one upped Villanueva by fanning the side in a one-two-three seventh.

Friday’s game:  vs FCL Marlins (1-1), 12:00 pm ET, TBA    

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2021 Week 8

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

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Photo: Delvin Perez (Springfield Cardinals)

Mother Nature ruled Tuesday evening as only one of St Louis’ four full-season clubs got its game in.  Springfield was hammered while Memphis’ tie game was suspended.  Neither Peoria nor Palm Beach even got underway.

Results from the games played Tuesday, June 29^th

Memphis vs Jacksonville – suspended
The Redbirds (18-30) began their game at AutoZone Park versus Jacksonville but could not complete it due to unplayable field conditions.  Play was suspended with the sacks jammed and none out in the home half of the sixth and a 1-1 score.  The game is scheduled to be completed as part of a double-header on Wednesday, June 30^th with play resuming at 5:05 pm CT.

Of particular interest is the Triple-A debut of top prospect Nolan Gorman.  To this point in the contest, the 21-year-old has singled once in two at bats with a walk, batting third and playing second base.

Also of interest is Harrison Bader’s rehab assignment which has moved from Palm Beach to Memphis.  The center fielder has reached base twice via a double and base-on-balls in two at bats and has scored his team’s only run.

Starter Connor Thomas tossed a strong effort despite field conditions which reportedly resulted in the lefty falling on the mound at one point before getting back up to resume play.  Thomas scattered seven hits and two free passes issued over five frames while fanning five.  The only damage against the Georgia native was a first-inning solo shot.  Garrett Williams tossed a one-two-three sixth, striking out two.

Connor Thomas

Wednesday’s games:  vs Jacksonville (26-20)(MIA).  Game one – 5:05 pm CT, TBA/Matthew Liberatore (2-4, 4.62)

Springfield 4 vs Northwest Arkansas 19
Once again the S-Cards’ bullpen could not hold a lead as Springfield (16-32) was trounced by the visiting Naturals in the series’ opener, 19-4.

The home team was up 4-2 at the sixth’s onset but fell into a 19-4 chasm before the next nine outs were recorded.  Kodi Whitley’s (L, 0-1)(BS,1) rehab assignment got off to an inauspicious start. The right-hander was tagged for five runs, four earned, on three hits, a walk and a sac fly in 1/3 of an inning.  Another batter reached on one of two errors committed by newly promoted third baseman Malcom Nunez.

Next up in the S-Cards’ quintet of ineffective relievers was Ramon Santos who yielded a hit and two base-on-balls plus a hit batsman, resulting in Whitley’s last two baserunners scoring plus one of his own before the sixth ended.

The pitching misery continued in the seventh, an inning in which two relievers combined to surrender seven more tallies.  Lefty Patrick Dayton retired just two batters, permitting seven runs on five hits, a walk and a plunked batter.

Alvaro Seijas was thrown into the fray at this point but did not fare any better than his predecessors.  Seijas issued three free passes in addition to a hit, generating two scores plus allowing his only inherited runner to score while recording two outs.

The last of the previously mentioned quintet was Jacob Patterson who went 1 2/3 frames.  The southpaw gave up one hit, three base-on-balls and hit three batters, let both inherited runners score while yielding two scores of his own.

Tyler Pike kept his team in the game during his 4 2/3 innings of work.  The 27-year-old allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks plus a hit batsman.  Salvador Justo retired his only batter, leaving the sacks jammed and representing the high water mark for the bullpen’s performance.

The offense generated seven hits, led by Player of the Day Delvin Perez.  The 22-year-old went 2-for-4 with his third triple, touched home once and knocked in one.  One of the five S-Cards with one hit each was catcher Ivan Herrera, who went 1-for-2 with a sac fly that was one of his two RBI.

DP for 3! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

Third triple of the year for @nivledprez810. pic.twitter.com/hzU9aVZXI2

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 30, 2021

Delvin Perez

The best that can be said of Nunez’ Double-A debut is to hope for better days to come.  The third baseman was hitless in four at bats out of the six hole and committed two errors, one fielding and one throwing.

Wednesday’s games:  vs Northwest Arkansas (23-23)(KC).  Game one – 5:05 pm CT, Andre Pallante (3-1, 2.57)/TBA

Peoria vs West Michigan – postponed
Peoria’s (19-29) home series’ opener with West Michigan was rained out and has been re-scheduled as part of a Thursday, July 1^st twin bill.  The A-Advanced debut of first-rounder Jordan Walker will wait for another day.

Wednesday’s game:  vs West Michigan (22-24)(DET), 6:35 pm CT, Jack Ralston (1-4, 4.34) or Connor Lunn (3-2, 4,80)

Palm Beach vs Dunedin – postponed   
Like Peoria, Palm Beach’s (17-31) home series opener against Dunedin was postponed due to rain.  The contest has been rescheduled as part of a double-header on Wednesday, June 30^th.

Wednesday’s games: vs Dunedin (20-27) (TOR).  Game one – 2:00 pm ET, Jose Moreno (0-3, 6.75)/John Beller (0-3, 5.51)

Florida Complex League Cardinals – off
The FCL Cardinals (0-1) were idle on Tuesday but will be looking for their first win when play resumes on Wednesday, June 29^th.  The Florida Birds will be hosting the FCL Mets in their home opener.

Wednesday’s game:  vs FCL Mets (1-1), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2021 Week 8

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

Not yet a member?

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Photo: Luis Montano (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

In the only action on Monday, the Florida Complex League (FCL) Cardinals dropped their season opener.  Luis Montano scored the team’s only run.

Results from the game played Monday, June 28^th

Memphis – off
Fresh off a two-week road trip in which they went 3-9 against the Midwest Division’s Indianapolis (PIT) and Toledo (DET), seventh-place Memphis (18-30) heads home to AutoZone Park to host division rival Jacksonville.

Tuesday’s game:  vs third-place Jacksonville (26-20)(MIA),  7:10 pm CT, Connor Thomas (2-0, 3.70)

Springfield – off
Like Memphis, Springfield (16-31) also heads home after two weeks on the road but their road trip remained exclusively within their own North Division.  The fifth-place S-Cards went 4-8 against first-place Wichita (MIN) and second-place Tulsa (LAD) but hope to do better against third-place Northwest Arkansas.

Tuesday’s game:  vs Northwest Arkansas (22-23)(KC), 6:35 pm CT, Tyler Pike (0-2, 7.52)

Peoria – off
After going 2-4 at fourth-place Wisconsin (MIL) last week, sixth-place Peoria (19-29) comes back to Dozer Park to host East Division rival West Michigan (DET).

Tuesday’s game:  vs West Michigan (22-24)(DET), 6:35 pm CT, Jack Ralston (1-4, 4.34) or Connor Lunn (3-2, 4,80)

Palm Beach – off
Palm Beach (17-31) is in the midst of a two-week home stand.  Last week the Beach Birds went 3-3 against the West Division’s Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (MIN) and this week host another West Division team, the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Tuesday’s game: vs Dunedin (20-27) (TOR), 6:30 pm ET, John Beller (0-3, 5.51)

FCL Cardinals 1 at FCL Nationals 3
A defensive lapse ended up determining the outcome in the FCL Cardinals’ 3-1 road defeat to the FCL Nationals in the season opener.

The opener was a contest in which offense was in short supply, both squads mustering just three hits apiece.  With the arms dominating the bats, the game turned on defensive efforts and the Florida Birds came up short.

The visitors scored first after left fielder and Player of the Day Luis Montano tripled to open the second.  Third baseman Brandon Hernandez’ fly out to left was not deep enough for Montano to score but he eventually raced home when Nationals’ catcher Ivan Murzi was charged with a passed ball.

Luis Montaño

Unfortunately, the FCL Cardinals’ miscue the next frame proved more costly. Starter Yordy Richard (L, 0-1) began his final inning of work by issuing a free pass.  The 18-year-old retired the next two batters via a force at second and strikeout looking and it appeared as if he would escape unscathed.

However, a throwing error by Hernandez put two runners aboard, the trail runner advancing to second on a stolen base.  Richard’s second and final hit yielded was a two-run double giving the home team the lead.  The right-hander plunked three batters.

Tyler Statler succeeded Richard, base-on-balls proving costly for the 19-year-old.  After tossing a one-two-three fourth in which he struck out two batters looking, the righty began the fifth by issuing consecutive free passes.  Statler notched two swinging K’s then permitted an RBI single to right, the only earned run for the game from either side.

The three remaining frames were split evenly between Omar Sanchez, Enrique Saldana and Tink Hence.  Sanchez, a southpaw signed out of Puerto Rico in June 2020, made his professional debut which was comprised of a strikeout swinging, walk-caught stealing and fly out to center.

A ‘veteran’ of two years’ experience in the Dominican Summer League, right-hander Saldana walked his first batter but erased him on a force at second.  His replacement on first base was caught stealing before a 4-3 ground out ended the seventh.

Last but not least of the bullpen trio was righty Tink Hence, the 63^rd pick in the June 2020 First-Year Player Draft.  Hence faced the minimum, inserting a swinging K between fly outs to right and center.

Tink Hence

Offensively, center fielder Tre Fletcher doubled once in four at bats, striking out twice at the top of the order.  Second baseman and number nine batter Albert Inoa garnered the final hit, going 1-for-3 with two K’s.  Catcher Roblin Heredia reached base twice via free passes and was charged with catcher’s interference behind the plate.

Tuesday’s game:  Off

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Transactions Monday

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

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Photo: Kevin McGovern (Springfield Cardinals)

A dramatic ninth-inning rally by Palm Beach garnered the system’s only win on Sunday as the minors went 1-4.  Memphis fell as did Springfield, the latter despite a strong performance by starter Kevin McGovern.  Peoria dropped their double-header on the road.

Results from games played Sunday, June 27^th

Memphis 3 at Toledo 9
The Redbirds’ pitching staff was ineffective, resulting in a 9-3 loss at Toledo (25-22)(DET) in the series’ finale.  Memphis (18-30) lost the series, two games to four.

Angel Rondon (L, 0-4) set the tone for the staff immediately, four of the five runs charged to him occurring in the first inning.  Three of the five tallies were generated by two home run balls, which were two of the five hits the righty yielded over five innings.

Brandon Dickson continued the pattern in his inning of work, with both runs allowed produced by one long ball.  Tommy Parsons pitched the last two frames, permitting two runs on three hits.  None of the three Memphis hurlers issued a free pass.

The Redbirds accumulated seven hits, Justin Williams being the only player with more than one hit.  Williams singled twice in four at bats while Conner Capel reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two base-on-balls and a run scored.  Kramer Robertson’s only hit in four at bats was a two-run double scoring Capel and John Nogowski (hit by pitch).  Capel and Nogowski both swiped a base.

Conner Capel

Monday’s game:  Off

Springfield 3 at Tulsa 6
The S-Cards’ bullpen gave up big numbers late for the second straight game, this time leading to a 6-3 walk-off defeat by the host Drillers.  Springfield (16-31) dropped five of the six-game series at Tulsa (27-20)(LAD).

A day after surrendering five eighth-inning tallies in Springfield’s 8-7 loss, Edgar Escobar (L, 0-3)(BS,2) served up a grand slam in his second inning of work for a walk-off defeat.  Escobar allowed two hits, two base-on-balls and a plunked batter against five outs recorded.

The right-hander replaced Evan Sisk (BS,1)  in the eighth after the southpaw gave up a lead-off hit.  Sisk was tagged for two scores the prior frame, both tallies unearned due to fielding errors by shortstop Delvin Perez and third baseman Brendan Donovan.

The bullpen and defensive performance marred another noteworthy start by Kevin McGovern.  The 32-year-old struck out eight Drillers in six innings, permitting two hits and a base-on-balls, earning our Player of the Day nod.

Kevin McGovern

Springfield’s offense shares responsibility in the loss as they squandered numerous opportunities, going 1-for-11 with runners In scoring position.  Ivan Herrera went 2-for-5 with an RBI while six S-Cards batters had one hit each.

Nolan Gorman and Perez reached base twice, both players going 1-for-4 with a walk.  Gorman’s hit was one of the team’s two doubles, the second baseman touching home once while Perez swiped his 12^th base of the season.

Monday’s game:  Off

Peoria 2 at Wisconsin 6  (7) – game one
Peoria 5 at Wisconsin 6  (7) – game two

The Chiefs were swept by the Timber Rattlers in a Sunday twin bill, 6-2 in the opener and 6-5 in the finale.  Peoria (19-29) lost the series, two games to four.

Starter Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (L, 2-2) took the loss in game one, permitting four tallies on nine hits – including a two-run bomb – and two base-on-balls in four frames.  Enmanuel Solano retired four batters, allowing a run on a hit and two free passes issued.

Solano’s tally scored with Jacob Schlesener on the mound.  Schlesener gave a hit and two walks, resulting in a run of his own in just 2/3 of an inning.

Four Chiefs generated five hits and did not work a free pass.  First baseman Brady Whalen went 2-for-3 with a solo shot, Jhon Torres and Leandro Cedeno both doubling once in three at bats.  Cedeno added his 21^st RBI.

Touch ‘em all!

@yaboiB_RAD98 puts us on the board with his ninth home run of the season!#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/mAXGFzvOWG

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 27, 2021

Brady Whalen

The nightcap, a make up of a June 26^th contest postponed due to rain, was tied at four all midway through the sixth.  But Wisconsin (22-25)(MIL) scored a pair of runs off reliever Leonardo Taveras (L, 1-3) in the bottom of the frame, a gap Peoria could only cut in half in their final at bats.

Taveras lasted just three batters, sandwiching his only out recorded between a lead-off home run and a base-on-balls.  Paul Schwendel replaced Taveras and gave up an RBI triple to his initial batter before getting out of the inning.

Rotation mates Logan Gragg and Jack Ralston split pitching duties over the initial five innings.  Gragg yielded four tallies, including a two-run blast, on four hits in three frames while Ralston shut down the opposition on one hit during his two-inning stint.

Peoria outhit Wisconsin, nine to seven with the top of the Chiefs’ order garnering two hits each in four at bats:  Jhon Torres, Malcolm Nunez and Brady Whalen.  Nunez’ two-run home run comprised two of his three RBI’s while Whalen had a single and double plus scored one run.

This one isn’t coming back!

Malcom Nunez demolishes his third home run of the year to give us a 4-2 lead!#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/xt8v5ptR6v

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 27, 2021

Malcom Nuñez

Both of Torres’ hits went for extra bases, one of them his 15^th double of 2021.  The right fielder began the game with his fourth long ball, giving him three consecutive games in which he has went yard.

Monday’s game:  Off

Palm Beach 9 vs Fort Myers 8
The Beach Birds mounted a last minute rally, walking off with a 9-8 victory over Fort Myers (28-20)(MIN).  Palm Beach (17-31) won three of the six-game home series versus the Mighty Mussels.

The PB-Cards were down 8-4 with three outs to go but an adventuresome ninth ensued.  The inning featured three hits, four walks, a wild pitch and a missed catch error by Fort Myers’ second baseman that brought Masyn Winn across home with the winning score.

Jordan Walker singled to open the frame, his third hit in four at bats, advanced a base on a wild pitch and scored right ahead of Tommy Jew on Todd Lott’s ninth double of 2021.  Recent call up Edgardo Rodriguez’ single to short drove in Lott, making the score 8-7.

Right fielder Terry Fuller matched Jew by working a base-on-balls, leading to a pitching change.  The new hurler issued consecutive free passes to Donivan Williams and Darlyn Del Villar, the latter walk bringing Rodriguez across home plate for an 8-8 tie.  Masyn Williams reached on the missed catch error, scoring Fuller on an unearned run and walking off with the win.

Walker’s three-hit performance led his squad’s 13-hit attack, with the third baseman also working a base-on-balls and scoring the aforementioned run.

Jordan Walker

Lott, Rodriguez and Matt Koperniak had two hits apiece, Koperniak in four at bats and the other two in five.  Rodriguez, Koperniak and Fuller all touched home twice, while Lott’s double and a triple by Fuller were the only hits to go for extra bases.

A rehabbing Harrison Bader singled once in two at bats with a walk and sac fly.  Bader hit lead off as the team’s designated hitter.

Defensively, Fuller was credited with two outfield assists, both at second base.  The team turned one 6-4-3 double play as well.

The big rally gave reliever Sean Kealey (W, 1-1) his first win in affiliated ball.  The lefty tossed the visitor half of the ninth, yielding a tally on a hit batsman, single and run-scoring wild pitch.

Kealey pitched in support of Gustavo J Rodriguez who went the initial 3 2/3 frames.  Rodriguez permitted four runs on four hits and five free passes issued.

Three relievers bridged the span between Rodriguez and Kealey, beginning with Edgar Manzo.  Manzo recorded four outs, allowing a run on a hit and three walks and stranding an inherited runner.

Gianluca Dalatri fanned the side in his only inning on the mound but not before giving up two runs via two walks and a double.  Edwin Nunez holds the distinction of being the only Palm Beach hurler to not be scored upon.  Nunez retired six batters, working around two free passes issued.

Monday’s game:  Off

Florida Complex League Cardinals 
The newly christened Florida Complex League gets underway on Monday, June 28^th with the FCL Cardinals on the road against the FCL Nationals.

Monday’s game:  at FCL Nationals, 12:00 pm ET, TBA

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2021 Week 7

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

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photo: Kevin McGovern (Springfield Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals system suffered through another 0-4 night on Tuesday, with the pitching yielding 33 opposing runs. A bright spot was 32-year-old Kevin McGovern, who gave up just one run in five innings in his Cardinals starting debut for Springfield.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 22^nd.

Memphis 4 at Toledo 8

Angel Rondon retired just seven batters as Memphis (16-27) fell to Toledo at Fifth Third Field, 8-4.

Making his second start since his return from St. Louis, Rondon tossed two clean frames before a four-run third inning drove him from the game.  The righty yielded six hits and two walks in 2 1/3, striking out five.

His final run scored with fellow starter Tommy Parsons (L, 1-4) on the mound.  The offense knotted the game at 4-4 at the fifth’s midpoint but Parsons gave up four runs before recording six more outs.  Three of the four tallies were generated by home runs, which represented three of the five hits and two bases-on-balls permitted over 3 2/3 frames.  Grant Black issued three free passes along with one hit allowed during his two-inning stint.

To the Moon 🌙

Juan Yepez unloads on a baseball and we’re right back in this thing! pic.twitter.com/b2imsYauZl

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) June 23, 2021

Juan Yepez

The Redbirds mustered just four hits, including home runs by third baseman Juan Yepez (solo) followed by Lane Thomas’ two-run bomb that capped a three-run fifth.  Yepez worked a base-on-balls as the only Memphis player to reach base more than once.

Wednesday’s game: at Toledo (22-20) (DET), 6:05 pm CT, Connor Thomas (1-0, 4.82)

Springfield 4 at Tulsa 5

Springfield’s (15-27) faltering bullpen spoiled Kevin McGovern’s noteworthy first start as a Cardinal, resulting in a 5-4 road defeat to the Drillers.

In only his second appearance since being signed out of Indy ball, McGovern struck out six through the first five innings, yielding three hits without issuing a free pass.  The 32-year-old southpaw, our Player of the Day, plunked his initial batter the next frame, and departed in favor of Kyle Leahy, who was tasked with holding a slim 1-0 advantage.

Kevin McGovern

In his first in a relief appearance after eight starts, Leahy (BS, 1) did not rise to the occasion.  The right-hander surrendered an RBI double along with two walks before the sixth’s end with more yet to come.

Plummer unclogs the bases!

4-1 us.@budweiserusa x #BudweiserUSA pic.twitter.com/0x9mL6WemO

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 23, 2021

Springfield’s offense ignited for a three-run seventh, with the big blow Nick Plummer’s bases-clearing single.  It drove in Ivan Herrera, Luken Baker and Brendan Donovan, who all reached on free passes.  Plummer went 2-for-4 with a walk and run scored plus two RBI since Donovan scored due to a throwing error by the Drillers’ right fielder.

Alas, Leahy then sandwiched two walks of his own around one out and Jacob Bosiokovic was brought into the contest.  Bosiokovic (L, 2-3) (BS,1) walked his first three batters, forcing in two runs, before recording a sac fly, eventually getting out of the inning with the game tied at four all.

The 27-year-old Ohioan inserted a double between two eighth-inning outs before giving way to Evan Sisk.  But Sisk continued a pattern of relievers unable to strand inherited runners.  A wild pitch, RBI double and walk ensued before Sisk was able to record his first and only out.

The S-Cards outhit Tulsa, seven to six and matched the eight walks allowed by their pitchers but only one of their seven hits went for extra bases against four extra-base hits by the Drillers.  Leadoff man Delvin Perez singled twice in five at-bats but the next four batters went a combined 1-for-14.

Wednesday’s game:  at Tulsa (23-19) (LAD), 7:05 pm CT, Tyler Pike (0-1, 8.79)

Peoria 1 at Wisconsin 13

Chiefs’ pitchers allowed crooked number runs in four separate innings, leading to Peoria (17-26) being shellacked at Wisconsin, 13-1.

The pounding began with starter Jack Ralston (L, 1-4), who retired just four batters.  The righty was tagged for five runs on four hits and three walks, with three of the five scores generated by a long ball.

Cole Aker tossed three frames, permitting two hits and three walks, resulting in four tallies, and stranding two of three inherited runners.

Aker’s final runner touched home under Enmanuel Solano’s watch.  Solano allowed four runs of his own on six hits, including a two-run blast, against four outs recorded.  Jacob Schlesener fanned four over the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings, leaving Solano’s last base runner aboard.

Jacob Schlesener

Five Peoria players each accumulated one hit, two of them coming in the fifth.  Brady Whalen opened with a single and raced home on a double by Chandler Redmond.  Chiefs batters did not coax a free pass all evening.

Wednesday’s game:  at Wisconsin (19-23) (MIL), 12:05 pm CT, Connor Lunn (2-2, 5.45)

Palm Beach 4, Fort Myers 7

Starter Gustavo J. Rodriguez could not finish the third as Palm Beach (14-29) fell to Fort Myers at Roger Dean, 7-4.

Rodriguez (L, 0-2) was charged with five tallies on five hits and three free passes issued in 2 2/3 innings.  One of the five hits was a two-run long ball.

Francisco Justo walked his initial batter, jamming the sacks full, before escaping that mess.  But Justo gave up two runs on a hit and four walks during his 2 1/3 innings on the bump.

The sole bright spot among Beach Bird hurlers was Dionys Rodriguez, who struck out six in three innings.  The 20-year-old right-hander has not permitted a run in seven relief appearances encompassing 12 1/3 frames.

Dionys Rodriguez

Jordan Walker and Jacob Buchberger each had two of the team’s six hits.  Walker went 2-for-3 with a walk and two-run home run that was one of his two runs scored and both of his RBI.  The bomb was the reigning league Player of the Week’s third in three games and sixth of 2021.

Mamma, there goes that man!

Jordan Walker with ANOTHER home run to give him six on the season! #BeachBirds pic.twitter.com/QPThIk7QVy

— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) June 22, 2021

Batting right behind Walker, Buchberger singled twice in four at bats, crossing home once.  Todd Lott’s only hit in three at bats was a triple knocking in Buchberger and Walker although Palm Beach’s designated hitter did reach base another time via a free pass.

Wednesday’s game: vs. Fort Myers (26-17) (SD), 6:30 pm ET, John Beller (0-3, 5.76)

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Palm Beach Cardinals Shake Up Catching Corps

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

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photo: Jhon Torres (Trevor Travis/Peoria Chiefs)

Offense was plentiful in St. Louis’ minors on Sunday with the four squads generating 30 runs on 47 hits, resulting in three wins – for Springfield, Peoria and Palm Beach. Player of the Day Jhon Torres’ late-game heroics made the difference for the Chiefs.

Results from games played Sunday, June 20^th.

Memphis 7 at Indianapolis 8 (11)

Faulty relief pitching and defense led to the Redbirds’ 8-7 road defeat to Indianapolis (23-18) (PIT).  Memphis (16-26) won only one of the six-game series, falling into the Southeast Division cellar, 12 ½ games behind Durham (TB).

Charged with holding a 6-2 lead with six outs to go, Austin Warner and Connor Jones (BS,3) combined to give up four tallies, sending the game into extras.  Warner was inconsistent, escaping a two on/one out inherited jam in the seventh only to serve up four straight one-out hits, including a two-run blast, the next frame.

Jones entered needing just one out to halt the Indians’ momentum with the lead shrunk to 6-5 but yielded an RBI single, walk and hit batsman before getting that out.  The 26-year-old faced the minimum in the ninth before handing the ball to Jesus Cruz, who worked around a free pass issued in his inning of work.

Memphis went back ahead 7-6 in the home half of the 11^th after Justin Williams singled home Scott Hurst, who began the inning at second.  Tyler Webb (L, 0-1) (BS,2) made quick work of his first two batters but a base-on-balls and RBI single re-tied the contest at 7-7.  The runner at first advanced to third on the single, racing home after an attempted tag by Redbirds third baseman Rayder Ascanio when the baserunner realized no one was covering home, scoring the game winner.

Zack Thompson tossed the first three frames, blanking his opponents on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts before being replaced by a pinch hitter in the top of the fourth.  It was the first scoreless effort for the southpaw in eight games.  But Thompson’s biggest contribution came at the plate, a bases-loaded triple with two gone putting his team up 3-0 after two innings.

🗣 Pitchers can hit too 🗣

Zack Thompson helps himself out with a THREE-run triple ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tLgUuTUmag

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) June 20, 2021

Zack Thompson

Roel Ramirez pitched two frames, permitting a tally on a hit and two walks.  Returnee Brandon Dickson retired four batters, allowing a run on two hits and a free pass issued before Warner replaced him.

The offense had more walks (10) than hits (seven) with Hurst reaching base three times via free passes despite going hitless in three at bats.  The only Redbird with a multi-hit performance was catcher Tyler Heineman, who went 2-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored out of the six hole.  Ascanio joined Hurst and Heineman in reaching base three times as well.  The 25-year-old singled once in two at bats, worked two free passes and touched home twice, batting eighth.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at Toledo (21-20) (DET), 6:05 pm CT, Tommy Parsons (1-3, 5.83)

Springfield 8 at Wichita 7

The S-Cards built an 8-1 lead then hung on to narrowly edge the Wind Surge, 8-7.  The victory gave Springfield (15-26) a split of the six-game series at first-place Wichita (23-19) (MIN) whom they trail by 7 ½ games in the North Division standings.

The visitors scored in five of the first six frames, banging out 15 hits in all, including seven for extra bases. The hit parade was led by third baseman Brendan Donovan, who went 4-for-5 including a double and two knocked in but was caught stealing in his only attempt.

DONOVAN, YOU'RE IN YOUR ELEMENT! pic.twitter.com/fl5zAPIZMY

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 20, 2021

Brendan Donovan

Four Springfield players garnered two hits each:  shortstop Delvin Perez, catcher Ivan Herrera, left fielder Nick Plummer and first baseman Luken Baker.  Perez smashed his first three-bagger, touching home twice in five at bats, while Herrera launched his fourth home run of 2021, one of his two hits in three at bats with a walk, run scored and RBI.  He also was hit by a pitch.

Plummer put up numbers in several offensive columns, going 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls, run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.  Baker singled twice in five at bats, scoring once.

Center fielder Justin Toerner’s only hit in four at bats in his return to Springfield from Memphis was a two-run long ball, his second of the season.  Right fielder Alec Burleson also went yard with the bases empty, one of the two times he scored.  Both players worked a free pass.

Justin ToernHR! 425 feet. 💪 pic.twitter.com/3qbrlP3Gqp

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 20, 2021

The beneficiary of Memphis’ offensive largess was starter Domingo Robles (W, 2-2).  The lefty held Wichita to a solo blast that was one of three hits yielded through five frames but sandwiched two more bombs around a hit batsman without retiring a sixth-inning batter.

Robles departed the field at that point, replaced by Michael Brettell, who recorded five outs.  The 23-year-old tossed a clean sixth but served up two home runs totaling three runs in all before exiting.  Edgar Escobar retired all seven batters faced, striking out three, for his fourth save.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at second-place Tulsa (22-19) (LAD), 7:05 pm CT, TBA (Alvaro Seijas?, 1-2, 8.03)

Peoria 6, Beloit 3

Late-innings firepower by Jhon Torres was the tie breaker as the Chiefs downed the Snappers, 6-3 at Dozer Park on Sunday afternoon.  Sixth-place Peoria (17-25) dropped the series versus third-place Beloit (21-21) (MIA), two games to four, and trail first-place Quad Cities (KC) by 11 games in the West Division standings.

With the game knotted at three all, Torres opened the seventh with his second long ball of 2021 then added a run-scoring single to cap his team’s two-run eighth.  The left fielder went 3-for-5 leading off with a double, home run, two runs scored and two driven in.

.@jhontorress22 puts us out in front with his second HR of the year!

B7 | Chiefs 4, Snappers 3#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/TByOtpiMgD

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 20, 2021

Jhon Torres

Third baseman Malcom Nunez matched Torres’ three-hit effort, singling three times in five at bats in the two slot, and touching home once.  The only other Chief with more than one of the team’s 13 hits was first baseman Brady Whalen, whose three-run bomb put his squad up 3-0 after one.  Whalen went 2-for-4 with the aforementioned bomb and three RBI plus stole his first bag of the season.

Three run 💣 for @yaboiB_RAD98!

B1 | Chiefs 3, Snappers 0#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/w7AS7iHXIi

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 20, 2021

Nick Trogrlic-Iverson scattered six hits through five scoreless frames before running into difficulty.  The righty allowed a lead-off double and two-run home run, triggering Cory Thompson’s entry.  Thompson (W, 1-0) (BS, 1) surrendered a game-tying long ball, his only hit allowed versus three strikeouts in two innings.

Relievers Wilfredo Pereira and Paul Schwendel split pitching duties over the final two innings.  Pereira retired all three batters faced as did Schwendel, the latter striking out two for his first save in the Cardinals’ organization.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at fifth-place Wisconsin (18-23) (MIL), 7:05 pm CT, Jack Ralston (1-3, 3.44)

Palm Beach 9 at Daytona 4

Four late tallies broke open a tight match as the Beach Birds flew past the host Tortugas, 8-4.  Fourth-place Palm Beach (14-28) split the six-game series at third-place Daytona (18-14) (CIN) and are nine games off the pace set by St. Lucie (NYM).

In the back-and-forth contest, Daytona broke on top with a three-run second inning, but Palm Beach responded immediately with four scores the very next frame.  The Tortugas tied the game after five only for their guests to go back up 5-4 in the home half of the sixth.  Following a quiet seventh the PB-Cards composed a four-run eighth, the big blow being Jordan Walker’s three-run home run – his only hit in four at bats.

Jordan Walker

The Beach Birds banged out 12 hits, paced by Matt Koperniak who went 3-for-5 with a double.  Masyn Winn and Carlos Soto posted nearly identical lines, both going 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.  Winn doubled once with two RBI while Soto drove in one.

The third Palm Beach player with a two-hit game was Jacob Buchberger who singled twice in five at bats, touching home once and knocking in one.  Donivan Williams reached base twice, going 1-for-2 with a double, base-on-balls and two runs scored.

Levi Prater held his opponents scoreless in four of his six frames on the mound, picking up his first professional win in three decisions.  The southpaw fanned eight, yielding eight hits and a walk generating four runs.

Will Guay tossed seventh and eighth, permitting a hit and base-on-balls.  Recent signee Sean Kealey pitched a one-two-three ninth.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:   vs. Fort Myers (25-17) (SD), 6:30 pm ET, Gustavo J Rodriguez (0-1, 6.46)

For more

To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.

Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Transaction Saturday

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/

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photo: Tommy Jew (Palm Beach Cardinals)

A positive in the 0-5 Wednesday across the St. Louis Cardinals system was first-year outfielder Tommy Jew’s five hits, including a home run, a walk and five RBI in Palm Beach’s pair of defeats.

Results from games played Wednesday, June 16^th.

Memphis 1 at Indianapolis 6

Home runs proved fatal for the Redbirds as they dropped their second straight decision to Indianapolis at Victory Field, this time 6-1.  Sixth-place Memphis (15-23) trails Durham (TB) by 10 ½ games in the seven-team Southeast Division.

Five of the six tallies charged to Redbirds’ hurlers were generated by long balls.  Tommy Parsons (L, 1-3) yielded a solo blast to his first batter faced then retired 12 of his next 14 batters before serving up a three-run bomb in his fifth and final frame.  The righty permitted six hits in all and issued one free pass.

Three Memphis relievers tossed an inning apiece:  Roel Ramirez, Evan Kruczynski and Garrett Williams.  Only Ramirez was unscored upon, allowing one hit, while Kruczynski surrendered a solo shot plus a walk and Williams was tagged for an unearned run on a two-base throwing error by third baseman Juan Yepez, a walk, hit batsman and sacrifice double play.

Justin Williams

The only Redbird with more than one of the team’s six hits was right fielder Justin Williams, who went 2-for-4 in the second start of his rehab assignment.  Williams’ eighth-inning single drove in Scott Hurst, who singled to open the frame.  Left fielder Lars Nootbaar reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk.

Defensively, the cons outweighed the pros.  Yepez committed two bobbles – one fielding and the other throwing – and shortstop Evan Mendoza was charged with a fielding error.

On the plus end of fielding, two Memphis outfielders were credited with an assist.  Center fielder Hurst threw out at runner at home, saving a sixth-inning score, and Williams’ assist came at second base.

Thursday’s game:  at Indianapolis (20-17) (PIT), 6:05 pm CT, Connor Thomas (1-0, 5.28)

Springfield 2 at Wichita 8

S-Cards’ pitchers gave up 13 hits while the offense managed just six, resulting in an 8-2 defeat to Wichita at Riverfront Stadium.  Fifth and last-place Springfield (12-25) has lost the first two of six games versus the first-place Wind Surge, whom they trail by 9 ½ games in the North Division standings.

Springfield was down from the very beginning as starter Kyle Leahy (L, 0-6) yielded four runs in the first two frames.  The righty allowed five tallies in all over 4 1/3 innings on nine hits and two walks.  One of the nine hits was a home run with the bases clean.

The run charged to Ramon Santos during his 2 2/3-inning stint was also a solo shot, one of two hits and two walks given up.  Edgar Escobar yielded two hits and a base-on-balls, resulting in two tallies, one earned.

Nick Plummer

Nick Plummer represented the only Redbird with a multi-hit performance, singling and doubling in four at bats with an RBI. Luken Baker scored both of his team’s runs, one on a solo long ball and the second generated by his lead-off walk before being driven in by Plummer’s single.

Thursday’s game:   at Wichita (22-16) (MIN), 7:05 pm CT, Tyler Pike (0-1, 11.42)

Peoria 5 vs. Beloit 9

Four late scores broke open a competitive game as the Chiefs fell to the Snappers, 9-5, evening the home series at a game each with four contests on tap.  Peoria (16-22) remains in sixth and last place in West Division, 8 ½ games behind Quad Cities (KC).

The Chiefs trailed 5-3 going into the top of the seventh at which time Beloit scored four runs off a pair of Peoria relievers, busting the game wide open.  Starter Jack Ralston lasted just four innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits and two free passes issued.  The right-hander fanned eight and served up one solo gopher ball.

Newcomer Cory Thompson settled things down during his two innings on the mound, striking out four and allowing two hits.  Then the seventh arrived as Enmanuel Solano and Jacob Schlesener combined to give up four scores, one earned, on two hits, two walks (both Solano) and a run-scoring wild pitch (Schlesener).  The latter tossed a clean eighth.  Nathanael Heredia struck out the side in the ninth, working around a hit and base-on-balls.

Peoria outhit their opponents 12 to 9 but the game difference proved to be four unearned scores.  Ninth-place hitter Matt Chamberlain led the effort, going 3-for-4 with a solo long ball that was one of his two runs scored.

Matt Chamberlain

Right fielder Jhon Torres went yard as well, another solo bomb which gave Peoria a brief 1-0 lead after one.  Torres added a single to his home run in five at bats, touching home once and knocking in two.  Leandro Cedeno and Imeldo Diaz had two hits each in four at bats and Diaz scored once.

It was a poor night for Peoria on the field as they were charged with three errors.  Shortstop Francisco Hernandez and center fielder Tyler Reichenborn were both tagged with their third miscues and second baseman Diaz committed his first bobble of 2021.

Thursday’s game:  vs. third place (3-way tie) Beloit (18-20) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Connor Lunn (2-1, 4.91)

Palm Beach 9 at Daytona 10 (10 innings) – Game 1  
Palm Beach 3 at Daytona 4 (7) – Game 2   
The Beach Birds were swept in a double-header on Wednesday, 10-9 in 10 and 4-3 in the seven-inning finale.  Palm Beach (11-26) remains firmly in fourth and last place in the East Division standings, nine in back of co-leaders Jupiter (MIA) and St. Lucie (NYM).

Twice Palm Beach had the opportunity to close out the opening game win, but the bullpen failed both times.  The opener completed the Tuesday, June 15^th contest suspended in the visitor half of the fourth with Palm Beach trailing 3-2.  When play resumed on Wednesday, each team notched a four-run fifth. The 7-6 score held until the top of the ninth, when Palm Beach scored twice to go up 8-7.

A home run off Hector Soto (L, 0-1) (BS,1) in the bottom of the frame sent the game into extra innings.  Palm Beach recaptured the lead in the 10th, 9-8, but Soto again could not hold the lead, yielding another two tallies for the walk-off loss.

Levi Prater yielded three runs on three hits and four walks in his three-inning Tuesday start before rain halted the affair.  Right-hander Gianluca Dalatri took the mound when play resumed on Wednesday, allowing one hit in one inning in his scoreless pro debut a year after being signed as an undrafted minor league free agent.

Edwin Nunez was handed a 6-3 fifth-inning lead but surrendered four tallies on four hits and two walks, recording just one out.  He also hit a batter.  Edgar Manzo held Daytona in check over the next 3 2/3 innings, giving up a hit and walk while stranding three inherited runners.  Soto was tasked with closing the game out in the ninth but failed to do so.

Edgar Manzo

Home runs were plentiful for Palm Beach as three long balls generated six tallies.  Player of the Day Tommy Jew garnered five hits in the twin bill, going 4-for-5 with a solo bomb, run scored and three knocked in.  One of third baseman Jordan Walker’s two hits in four at bats was a two-run bomb, one of the two times he crossed home plate while Todd Lott’s only hit in five at bats was a three-run blast.

Matt Koperniak reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a base-on-balls and run scored.  The Beach Birds mustered 13 hits in all.

After an offensive explosion featuring a combined 19 runs on 25 hits in the opener, the finale garnered nine hits in all.  Masyn Winn had half of his squad’s four hits, singling twice in with a walk and RBI.  Jew added his fifth hit on the day, going 1-for-3 with a base-on-balls and two driven in.  Patrick Romeri reached base three times, working two free passes plus a hit in two at bats while scoring once.

Tommy Jew

Starter Gustavo J. Rodriguez did not finish the second, permitting three runs on three hits and two walks against just five outs recorded.  But the difference in the game was yielded by Will Guay in his third and final inning of work.  Guay struck out six in 3 1/3 frames, allowing the winning run on two hits and a base-on-balls while leaving Rodriguez’ last two runners aboard.  Dionys Rodriguez fanned all three batters faced.

Thursday’s game: at Daytona (17-21) (CIN), 7:05 pm ET, John Beller (0-3, 5.53)

For more

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photo: Leandro Cedeno (Trevor Travis/Peoria Chiefs)

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 1-2 with a suspended game. Peoria thumped Beloit at home behind Leandro Cedeño’s four runs driven in. Memphis and Springfield pitching yielded 19 runs in their defeats.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 15^th.

Memphis 1 at Indianapolis 6

Redbirds bats were held to just three hits as Memphis (15-22) fell to the Indians in the road series opener, 6-1.

The team’s sole tally occurred in the fifth after Evan Mendoza worked a two-out base-on-balls and raced home via Irving Lopez’ triple.  It was the first three-bagger for the third baseman.  Outfielder Lars Nootbaar went 1-for-3 with a walk but was picked off first in his initial game back from the Injured List.

Irving Lopez

Starter Zack Thompson (L, 0-5) fell one out shy of completing four frames, yielding four runs on five hits and five walks with five strikeouts.  All tallies scored against the lefty came with two outs.

Grant Black retired all four batters faced, fanning three and leaving Thompson’s last runner on base.  Brandon Waddell, a June 6^th waiver claim from Baltimore, did not fare as well in his maiden organizational effort.  The southpaw was tagged for two runs, one earned, on two hits and a walk in two innings.  One of the two hits was a home run with the bases empty.  Jesus Cruz tossed a one-two-three eighth.

Wednesday’s game:  at Indianapolis (19-17) (PIT), 6:05 pm CT, Tommy Parsons (1-2, 5.65)

Springfield 4 at Wichita 13

Springfield (12-24) hurlers were scored upon in six of eight frames, resulting in a bruising 13-4 defeat at the hands of Wichita at Riverfront Stadium.

Four of five S-Cards pitchers to see action on Tuesday gave up multiple scores, beginning with Domingo Robles.  Robles (L, 1-2) permitted a whopping 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings, generating six runs.  Four of the six tallies came from three home run balls served up.

Michael Brettell recorded five outs, yielding three runs on three hits and a free pass issued but stranded an inherited runner.  Salvador Justo retired just two batters, walking two and surrendering a two-run bomb.

Patrick Dayton recorded the sixth’s last out, leaving a Justo runner onboard, but was tagged for two tallies on two hits, a base-on-balls and two hit batsmen the next frame.  Representing the only Springfield pitcher to put a zero in the runs allowed column, Jacob Patterson faced the minimum in the eighth after the damage was done.

Delvin Perez

The S-Cards’ offense mustered eight hits, led by shortstop Delvin Perez who went 3-for-5 with a solo shot leading off the sixth.  Luken Baker and Alec Burleson each had two hits. Baker launched his seventh rocket of 2021, this one with Burleson aboard to cap the sixth, and worked a base-on-balls.  Centerfielder Nick Plummer reached base twice, singling once in three at bats with a walk, but committed a throwing error.

Wednesday’s game:   at Wichita (21-16) (MIN), 7:05 pm CT, Kyle Leahy (0-5, 11.20)

Peoria 6, Beloit 4

The Chiefs (16-21) never trailed in their 6-4 victory over Beloit at Dozer Park in the first of their six-game set.

Player of the Day Leandro Cedeno accounted for five of his team’s six scores, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and four RBI.  The only other Chief with more than one of the team’s nine hits was first baseman Brady Whalen.  Whalen singled twice in four at bats, touching home two times.  Designated hitter Zade Richardson blasted his fifth long ball of the season, a solo shot capping Peoria’s scoring.

Leandro Cedeño

Defensively, the pluses and minuses balanced each other out.  Both right fielder Cedeno and left fielder Chandler Redmond were credited with outfield assists at second base but catcher Pedro Pages and shortstop Moises Castillo were both charged with a miscue.

Starter Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (W, 2-1) tossed five solid frames, permitting two runs on five hits and two bases-on-balls.  The righty struck out eight.

Three Peoria relievers took the mound over the final four innings.  Leonardo Taveras tossed two clean frames, issuing three free passes and giving up two hits.  But Cole Aker allowed two hits and a walk, resulting in two tallies.  Freddy Pacheco struck out all three batters faced for his third save.

Wednesday’s game:  vs. Beloit (17-20) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Jack Ralston (2-2, 1.95)

Palm Beach at Daytona – suspended

The first of six road contests between Palm Beach (11-25) and Daytona was suspended with one gone in the visitor half of the fourth, a runner at first and the Beach Birds trailing the Tortugas, 3-2.  The game is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, June 16^th along with the regularly scheduled contest.

Wednesday’s games: at Daytona (15-21) (CIN).  Game 1 – 7:05 pm ET, Gustavo J Rodriguez (0-1, 5.27/TBA)

For more

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photo: Masyn Winn (Palm Beach Cardinals)

St. Louis’ minors translated walks into wins on the 3-1 Sunday with free passes key in both Memphis’ and Palm Beach’s victories. Springfield won behind starter Dalton Roach’s strong effort and Player of the Day Masyn Winn’s big slam and seven RBI led Palm Beach. Peoria took one in the loss column.

Results from games played Sunday, June 13^th.

Memphis 7, Gwinnett 6 (10)

Ali Sanchez’ bases-loaded single provided the margin of victory in the Redbirds’ 7-6 walk off triumph over the Stripers (18-18) at AutoZone Park.  After dropping the initial three games, Memphis (15-21) stormed back to win the last three contests, claiming a series split.

Sanchez’ hit, his third in five at bats, drove in Conner Capel who began the frame at second.  Back-to-back walks to John Nogowski (intentional) and Juan Yepez loaded the bases for Sanchez’ two-out at bat and the catcher came through.

‼️ WE’RE GOING HOME ‼️

Ali Sanchez plays hero and we’ve now won 7️⃣ times on walk-offs this season! pic.twitter.com/g3Wj0tnMa4

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) June 13, 2021

Ali Sanchez

The home team matched their guests’ 11 hits, as Justin Toerner was the only Redbird other than Sanchez with more than one hit.  The left fielder singled twice in three at bats, driving in one.  Capel scored three runs despite going hitless in three at bats, working two walks.

Gwinnett got on the scoreboard first, scoring three times in the first two frames off Bernardo Flores, Jr.  Flores allowed four tallies over five innings, yielding eight hits, including a two-run home run and two walks.

After trading single scores each through the sixth’s midpoint, Memphis knotted the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame.  The first four Redbirds reached base, with the big blow coming off Nogowski’s bat via a single scoring Rayder Ascanio (single) and Kramer Robertson (single).  Justin Williams grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that brought Capel (walk) across home plate, tying the game up.

Garrett Williams was the pitcher of record at this point, with the lefty retiring five batters and holding the opposition scoreless despite permitting two hits and four walks.  Austin Warner bailed Williams out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, recording the first of his four outs while walking one.

The Redbirds gained their first lead in the eighth without generating a hit after consecutive walks to Capel and Nogowski plus two wild pitches to break the tie.  Evan Mendoza’s sac fly drove in Nogowski, putting Memphis up 6-4 with three outs to go.

Tasked with nailing down the save, Tyler Webb (BS, 1) instead served up a two-run two-out bomb to send the game into extras.  The Virginia native gave up that hit plus a base-on-balls with three strikeouts.  Connor Jones tossed a one-two-three 10^th for his third win in five decisions.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at Indianapolis (18-17) (PIT), 6:05 pm CT, Zack Thompson (0-4, 9.51)

Springfield 6, Arkansas 4

Roach clipped Herb at Hammons Field on Sunday.

Besting Arkansas starter Tyler Herb, Dalton Roach tossed six strong frames as the S-Cards downed the Travelers, 6-4.  The win gave Springfield (12-23) a four-games-to-two edge over Arkansas (16-19). It is the Cardinals’ first series win of 2021 in their sixth try.

Dalton Roach

The only damage against Roach (W, 2-3) was a two-run second-inning blast, one of three hits and three bases-on-balls yielded by the right-hander.  Roach struck out four.

Evan Sisk surrendered a solo shot in his inning on the bump before Jacob Bosiokovic was dinged for a long ball with the bases clean in the first of his two-inning appearance.  Bosiokovic fanned four.

Three Springfield players each had two of the team’s 11 hits:  Delvin Perez, Luken Baker and Aaron Antonini.  Perez added a walk to his two hits in four at bats while both Baker and Antonini went yard with a runner aboard.  Baker’s blow knotted the game at two all after five and Antonini’s bomb was part of the three-run sixth putting the S-Cards up for good.

HADLUKEN! 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/G4m66sOIqW

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 14, 2021

YOU DONE MESSED UP GIVING AA-RON A PITCH TO HIT!

3rd 💣 this week for @AaronAntonini. We're tied. pic.twitter.com/piCRkC0WYd

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 14, 2021

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at Wichita (20-16) (MIN), 7:05 pm CT, Domingo Robles (1-1, 2.83)

Peoria 4 vs. Quad Cities 8

The Chiefs could not dig out of a 7-0 hole, falling to the River Bandits at home, 8-4.  Peoria (15-21) claimed three of the series’ six contests versus Quad Cities (22-13).

Starter Michael YaSenka recorded just four outs, mostly due to serving up a three-run blast in the second.  The righty got the hook after issuing a subsequent free pass to his next batter, one of three free passes issued that frame.

Wilfredo Pereira left YaSenka’s last runner aboard but was charged with three runs, two earned, on three hits against six batters retired.  His last run scored under his successor’s watch.

Making his organizational debut, Cory Thompson allowed back-to-back RBI doubles scoring Pereira’s runner plus one of his own.  The 26-year-old righty, a recent acquisition from Indy ball, settled down for a clean fifth.

Four more Chiefs’ relievers took the mound over the game’s balance.  Nathanael Heredia issued more free passes (three) than outs recorded (two) but Fabian Blanco came to his rescue.  Blanco retired all four batters faced, striking out three, to strand three inherited runners.

Freddy Pacheco faced the minimum in the eighth but Jacob Schlesener was not as effective. Schlesener gave up a hit, walk and threw two wild pitches, resulting in Quad Cities’ final score.

Peoria mustered just four hits in all, two by Leandro Cedeno.  The right fielder went 2-for-4 with a three-run bomb that ended the River Bandits’ shutout bid in the sixth.

.@learcedeo goes deep in back-to-back games!#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/d6cpTcslXd

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 13, 2021

Leandro Cedeño

Batting just ahead of Cedeno Brady Whalen reached base three times.  The first baseman singled once in three at bats with two walks, a run scored and one knocked in.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs Beloit (17-19) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (1-2, 4.28)

Palm Beach 10 at St. Lucie 3

Masyn Winn’s second grand slam of the week propelled the visiting Beach Birds past the Mets, 10-3.  Just two weeks after winning only one of six games against the division leaders, Palm Beach (11-25) split this six-game set versus St. Lucie (20-16).

On Thursday, Winn launched both his first career home run and grand slam in his team’s 14-8 victory at Clover Park.  On Sunday, the shortstop strode to the plate in the second with the sacks jammed and two runs already across (due to five consecutive free passes issued by St. Lucie’s starter) and did it again.  The long ball was one of Winn’s two hits in five at bats along with a double, walk, run scored and seven RBI.

Masyn Winn

Five Palm Beach players had one hit each, including Jordan Walker who again acted as the designated hitter in his second day of action since coming off the Injury List.  Walker worked one of the Beach Birds’ 11 walks, touching home once.  Center fielder Tommy Jew scored three times, going 1-for-4 with a walk while reaching once via a force that erased a base runner who got on base via another free pass issued.

Making his third straight start after five relief appearances, Jose Moreno issued five free passes of his own during his four-inning stint.  Both runs charged to him crossed home in the fourth on bases-loaded walks.  The right-hander fanned four and yielded a fourth-inning double.

Luis Ortiz (W, 1-2) struck out six in three frames, allowing a run on three hits but zero bases-on-balls. Dionys Rodriguez K’d three over the final two innings, giving up a hit and two walks.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:   at Daytona (14-21) (CIN), 7:05 pm ET, Levi Prater (0-2, 2.20)

For more

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Photo: Masyn Winn (Ryan Dowd/Palm Beach Cardinals)

St Louis’ minors went 2-2 on Thursday.  Palm Beach rode to victory behind a career night by Masyn Winn while Peoria edged out a win as well.  Both Memphis’ and Springfield’s bats were quiet, resulting in a loss for each team.

Results from games played Thursday, June 10^th

Memphis 0 vs Gwinnett 11
Ineffective pitching and silent bats were a losing combination as the Redbirds fell to the Stripers at AutoZone Park, 11-0.  Currently, Memphis (12-21) has a five-game losing streak, including the first three of this six-game set, and has scored just one run in their last 22 innings.

The offense had just two hits, singles by center fielder Matt Szczur and pinch hitter Dennis Ortega, and two walks.

Dennis Ortega

Three of four Memphis hurlers taking the mound Thursday evening were scored upon, beginning with Tommy Parsons.  Parsons was charged with four runs on nine hits, including two long balls accounting for three runs, in five plus innings.

Grant Black topped Parson’s performance, yielding five tallies on four hits and a walk in 1 2/3 frames.  One of his four hits was a three-run bomb.

Both runs given up by Tyler Webb in his return to Memphis from St Louis were generated by one home run.  That bomb was one of three hits permitted against four batters retired.

Jesus Cruz was the lone bright spot on the bump, tossing a one-two-three ninth.

Friday’s game:  vs Gwinnett (17-15)(ATL),  7:10 pm CT, Connor Thomas (1-0, 4.63)

Springfield 1 vs Arkansas 4
Springfield managed just one hit, dropping a 4-1 decision to Arkansas at Hammonds Field.  The S-Cards (10-22) have won two of the first three games in the six-game series and remain in fifth and last place in the North Division standings, nine games behind Tulsa (LAD).

The home team’s entire offense consisted of David Vinsky who reached base three times.  The left fielder’s sixth-inning single broke up the Travelers’ no-hit bid while he scored the only run, unearned, via the second of his two base-on-balls.  Vinsky was unsuccessful in his only stolen base attempt.

David Vinsky

Kyle Leahy absorbed his fifth loss against no wins, permitting two runs on five hits and three free passes issued over 5 2/3 innings.  Michael Brettell recorded the sixth’s last out, leaving two inherited runners aboard, but surrendered a solo long ball, one of two hits and two walks given up in the next frame.  Four of the six outs recorded by Jacob Bosiokovic were strikeouts, but the only hit allowed by the 27-year-old was a solo shot.

Friday’s game:   vs fourth-place Arkansas (15-17)(SEA),  7:05 pm CT, Tyler Pike (0-1, 24.55)

Peoria 4 vs Quad Cities 3
The Chiefs’ late surge provided the edge needed to slip by the River Bandits, 4-3, for a two-games-to-one series’ lead.  Sixth-place Peoria (14-19) trails first-place Quad Cities by 6 ½ games in the six-team West Division standings.

Down 2-1 after six, the home team transformed three hits, a fielder’s choice and an RBI ground out into a 4-2 lead then held on for the win.  The only Chief with more than one of the team’s seven hits was shortstop Francisco Hernandez who singled twice in four at bats, crossing home plate once.

Right fielder Jhon Torres accounted for two tallies, going 1-for-4 with a double, run scored and RBI.  Malcom Nunez, Pedro Pages and Tyler Reichenborn each drove in one while Cristhian Longa and Matt Chamberlain both scored a run.

Starter Jack Ralston struck out eight over 5 2/3 frames, yielding two runs on three hits and three walks.  Nathanael Heredia picked up the win, his first in three decisions, working around three hits and a free pass issued over 1 1/3 innings and stranding two inherited runners.

Jack Ralston

Jacob Schlesener was dinged for a tally on two hits in his inning on the bump.  Wilfredo Pereira made things interesting in the ninth but maneuvered around two hits for his first save.

Friday’s game:  vs Quad Cites (20-12)(KC),  6:35 pm CT, Connor Lunn (1-1, 5.88)

Palm Beach 14 at St Lucie 8
A nine-run first inning propelled the Beach Birds over the Mets, 14-8, halting a five-game losing skid.  Palm Beach (9-24) remains in fourth place in the four-team East Division, 10 games behind St Lucie.

Home runs were a crucial component in the victory with eight of the team’s 14 runs generated by three bombs.  The offensive spearhead was lead-off batter Masyn Winn whose first blast of 2021 was a grand slam capping the first-inning scoring, a frame in which the Mets’ starter did not record an out.  Player of the Day Winn reached base five times, going 3-for-4 with two base-on-balls, the aforementioned home run, three runs scored and four RBI’s.

Masyn Winn

Matt Koperniak also garnered a three-hit performance in four at bats, launching a solo shot which comprised one of his two runs scored and three driven in.  The center fielder also worked a base-on-balls.

Three Palm Beach players had one hit apiece, including first baseman Todd Lott, whose three-run bomb was part of his team’s five-run fifth and his only hit in three at bats.  Lott was issued two free passes, touched home twice and knocked in four.

The pitching side did not click nearly as well as did the bats.  Starter Gustavo J Rodriguez lasted just two plus innings, yielding five tallies on eight hits and no walks.

Right-hander Edgar Manzo (W, 1-1) tossed another impressive effort, retiring nine of 10 batters faced.  The sole St Lucie player to reach against the 20-year-old was on a base-on-balls but the Mexico native did allow both inherited runners to score on two sac flies.

Dionys Rodriguez navigated around a hit and two free passes issued for a clean sixth, but Luis Tena ran into trouble the next frame.  The righty allowed two hits and a walk, resulting in three tallies, two earned.  Francisco Justo worked 2 1/3 frames of scoreless ball, striking out four and walking three while leaving Tena’s last runner on base.

Friday’s game: at first-place St Lucie (19-14) (NYM), 6:10 pm ET, John Beller (0-3, 5.47)

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Photo: Nolan Gorman (Springfield Cardinals)

Springfield’s team-wide effort led to the system’s only victory on Tuesday, highlighted by a nine strikeout performance from Ramon Santos, and a home run from Nolan Gorman.  Peoria went down to defeat as did Palm Beach, the latter despite Todd Lott’s stellar 3-for-4 performance.  Memphis’ game was rained out.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 8^th

Memphis vs Gwinnett – postponed   
Tuesday’s contest at AutoZone Park between Memphis (12-18) and Gwinnett was postponed due to rain.  The game has been rescheduled as part of a double-header on Wednesday, June 9^th with game one starting at 5:05 pm CT.

Wednesday’s games:  vs Gwinnett (15-15)(ATL).  Game one – 5:05  pm CT, Zack Thompson (0-3, 9.64)/Tommy Parsons (1-1, 5.40)

Springfield 8 vs Arkansas 6
Alec Burleson’s two-run single in the eighth provided the difference as the S-Cards flew (9-21) past the Travelers, 8-6.  The contest is the first of six between the two North Division rivals.

Burleson’s bases-loaded hit came with two gone, scoring Delvin Perez (single) and Nolan Gorman (walk) and snapping a 6-6 tie in the back-and-forth affair.  The right fielder singled twice in five at bats, garnering two of the team’s 11 hits.

Most of the offense, however, was provided by the long ball.  Nolan Gorman’s fourth bomb of 2021 got the scoring started in the first.  The home run drove in Perez after the latter doubled, the first of his three hits in five at bats, giving Springfield a brief 2-0 lead.

Going, going, GORMAN.

💣👉 @NolanGorman pic.twitter.com/xjfcChfQhj

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 9, 2021

Arkansas answered with two two-run frames off Dalton Roach who surrendered long balls to the same Traveler in consecutive innings.  That put the visitors up 4-2 through three but designated hitter Aaron Antonini launched a three-run blast of his own, edging his team ahead 5-4 after four.

Antonini’s first home run of the season plated Brendan Donovan and Nick Dunn, both of whom reach base via singles.

Antoni-ni, ni-ni, boo-boo, he hits home runs farther than you-you!

👉 @AaronAntonini pic.twitter.com/DnLkaeO2X5

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 9, 2021

The lead was again short lived with Roach serving up another home run to his first batter (different Travel than the prior two long balls) the next inning.  After retiring the next two batters, the Wisconsin native was removed when he allowed his seventh hit in 4 2/3 frames.  Roach struck out seven.

Ramon Santos (W, 2-0) recorded the fifth’s final out, stranding the inherited runner, then watched his teammates hand him another lead.  Donovan worked a two-out free pass, swiped second – his first steal of 2021 – and scored on Dunn’s line drive single to left.

Dunn was one of four Springfield players with a multi-hit effort, joining Burleson, Perez and Gorman, the latter going 2-for-4 with a walk, home run, two runs scored and two RBI.

The 6-5 lead lasted until the visitor half of the seventh when Santos permitted a tally on a walk and RBI double, the only base-on-balls and one of two hits given up over 3 1/3 innings.  The righty struck out nine.

Ramon Santos

Edgar Escobar made things interesting in the ninth after yielding a hit and walk but fanned two for his third save.

Wednesday’s game:   vs Arkansas (14-16)(SEA),  6:35 pm CT, Domingo Robles (0-1, 3.42)

Peoria 3 vs Quad Cities 6
Peoria (12-19) began a 12-game home stand with a 6-3 defeat to Quad Cities.

Michael YaSenka took the loss, his second in as many decisions, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks in six frames.  Three of the five scores were generated by one long ball.

A trio of Chiefs relievers tossed one inning each.  Fabian Blanco worked around two hits, but Enmanuel Solano was touched for a run, unearned, on a hit and free pass issued.  Freddy Pacheco walked one in the ninth.

Peoria mustered just five hits with two of their three tallies being unearned.  Shortstop Moises Castillo singled twice in four at bats, driving designated hitter Zade Richardson twice.  Richardson went 0-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored while catcher Pedro Pages doubled once in five at bats with a run scored.

Moises Castillo

Defensively, second baseman Francisco Hernandez committed a fielding error, his third miscue of the season, and Pages was charged with two passed balls.  On the plus side, right fielder Leandro Cedeno was credited with an outfield assist at home and Hernandez was part of a 4-3 double play.

Wednesday’s game:  vs Quad Cites (20-10)(KC),  6:35 pm CT, Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (1-2, 4.40)

Palm Beach 6 at St Lucie 12
Beach Bird pitchers were scored upon in five of eight innings as Palm Beach (8-23) was soundly thrashed by St Lucie, 12-6.

Jose Moreno could not finish the fourth, giving up seven runs, six earned, on eight hits, three walks and a hit batsman in 3 1/3 frames.  Six of the seven tallies came in the third.

The bullpen did not fare much better.  Jose Davila was charged with a tally on two hits and a base-on-balls with three strikeouts during his 2 2/3-inning stint.  The 18-year-old left Moreno’s last two runners on base.

Davila did better than Edwin Nunez, who allowed four scores on six hits, including a solo shot, in 1 2/3 frames.  Will Guay replaced Nunez after the solo home run then permitted a single and base-on-balls before recording the last out.

The Beach Birds’ offense held up their end, banging out 11 hits.  The attack was led by Player of the Day Todd Lott’s three-hit performance, the first baseman going 3-for-4 with a solo bomb, his fourth long ball of 2021, two runs scored and two knocked in.  Three Palm Beach players had two hits apiece:  shortstop Masyn Winn, center fielder Patrick Romeri, and left fielder Tommy Jew.

Todd Lott

Wednesday’s game: at St Lucie (18-13) (NYM),  12:10 pm ET, Ludwin Jimenez (0-3, 4.50)

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Photo: Grant Black (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

Offense and Pitching were scarce to be found in St Louis’ 0-for-4 Sunday as the four teams were outscored by a combined 27-5 differential.  Pitcher Grant Black’s maiden Triple-A effort for Memphis was one of the system’s few bright spots as was Nolan Gorman’s four-hit night.

Results from games played Sunday, June 6^th

Memphis 1 vs Toledo 4
Grant Black’s encouraging Triple-A pitching debut went for naught as the Redbirds fell to the Mud Hens, 4-1.  Memphis (12-18) and Toledo (14-15) each won three of the six games in their just completed series.

Player of the Day Black, an Indy ball acquisition in February 2020, tossed four shutout frames in his first start of 2021 after 10 relief appearances for Springfield.  The lefty limited the opposition to three hits and did not issue a free pass.

Grant Black

Evan Kruczynski fanned five over the next two innings, blanking Toledo on a hit and two walks.  But Connor Jones (L, 1-2)(BS, 2) nearly matched the four outs recorded to runs given up, allowing three tallies on three hits and two base-on-balls.

Roel Ramirez retired three batters but not before getting dinged for an unearned score with two hits and a walk yielded.  Austin Warner recorded the final two outs, permitting a hit driving in Ramirez’ base runner.

The offense mustered six hits with the team’s sole tally generated by Ali Sanchez’ first home run of the season.  It was the catcher’s only hit in four at bats.  Lead off batter Evan Mendoza singled twice in four at bats, the only Redbird with more than one hit.

https://twitter.com/memphisredbirds/status/1401627352967352322

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs Gwinnett (15-15)(ATL),  7:10 pm CT, TBA

Springfield 2 vs San Antonio 9
A six-run seventh blew open a competitive contest, leading to the S-Cards’ 9-2 defeat by the Missions.  Springfield (8-21) claimed two of the six-game set versus San Antonio (15-15).

The S-Cards never lead a game in which they did not score until putting up a straight number in each of the final two frames despite matching their opponents’ 13 hits.  Third baseman Nolan Gorman led the offense, going 4-for-5 out of the lead-off spot.

Nolan Gorman

Designated hitter Nick Raposo went 2-for-3 with a base-on-balls and run scored in the nine hole.  The only other Redbird with more than one hit was left fielder David Vinsky who singled and doubled in four at bats with an RBI.  His two-bagger one of only two hits to go for extra bases.

Luken Baker doubled and scored via a ground out in the eighth, his only hit in five at bats.  Center fielder Nick Plummer reached base three times, going 1-for-4 with a walk and RBI plus reaching base a third time on a Missions’ miscue.  His base-on-balls brought Springfield’s other run across the plate in the ninth.

Andre Pallante (L, 2-1) scattered seven hits and two walks over five innings, holding San Antonio to two scores.  The 22-year-old struck out five.

Jacob Bosiokovic tossed a clean sixth but was hammered the next frame, surrendering six runs, four earned, on four hits, two base-on-balls and a plunked batter in 1 1/3 innings.  Michael Brettell retired five batters, giving up a hit and stranding an inherited runner, but Edgar Escobar served up a ninth-inning home run.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs Arkansas  (14-15)(SEA),  6:35 pm CT, TBA

Peoria 2 vs Wisconsin 11
Quality pitching was in short supply for the Chiefs in their 11-2 defeat by the Timber Rattlers (15-15)(MIL).  Peoria (12-18) split the six-game set with their West Division rivals.

Three of four Chiefs hurlers were scored upon, beginning with Logan Gragg who made his second consecutive start after five relief appearances.  The 22-year-old tossed a season-high four frames, yielding two runs on four hits, two base-on-balls and a sac fly while striking out three.  The righty threw 43 of his 61 pitches for strikes.

Gragg turned over a 2-2 tie to Wilfredo Pereira (L, 1-3) who was tagged for three scores on three hits and two walks in two innings.  One of the three hits was a two-run long ball.

Nathanael Heredia retired just two batters, giving up four hits and issuing two free passes, resulting in six runs.  Two of the six tallies derived from one home run.

Three of the four outs recorded by Evan Sisk were strikeouts, the lefty representing the sole Peoria pitcher to not allow the opposition to cross home.  The only batter to reach against Sisk was via a hit-by-pitch.

Peoria’s offense consisted of five hits and four base-on-balls with single scores coming in the second and fourth.  First baseman Leandro Cedeno had an excellent day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI.

Leandro Cedeño

Shortstop Moises Castillo reached base twice, singling once in three at bats with a base-on-balls and one knocked in.   Centerfielder Tyler Reichenborn scored both runs, getting aboard twice via free passes.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs Quad Cites (19-10)(KC),  6:35 pm CT, Michael Ya Senka (0-1, 6.20)

Palm Beach 0 vs Jupiter 4
The Beach Birds’ lackluster offense managed just three hits as the team dropped a 4-0 decision to Jupiter (16-14)(MIA).  Palm Beach (8-22) scored a combined four runs in their four losses of the six-game series.

All three hits were singles and were matched by the three miscues committed defensively.  Shortstop Masyn Winn committed two errors, one throwing and one fielding,  and third baseman Jacob Buchberger was charged with a throwing bobble.  On the defensive plus side, center fielder Tommy Jew was credited with an outfield assist at second base.

Inohan Paniagua (L, 2-1) had a one-hitter going through five but could not finish the sixth.  The Dominican native allowed four runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings.  Paniagua threw 77 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Inohan Paniagua

The bullpen shut down the Hammerheads the rest of the way.  Luis Tena retired four batters, three on strikeouts, yielding a hit and walk.   Luis Ortiz issued an eighth-inning free pass and Dionys Rodriguez tossed a one-two-three ninth.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:   at St Lucie () (NYM), 6:10 pm ET, Jose Moreno (0-2, 8.00)

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Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2021 Week 4

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

Connor Capel’s bat helped Memphis to a double-header sweep, two of three victories in five games for St Louis’ minors on Thursday.  Palm Beach walked off with a win of their own but Springfield and Peoria both went down to defeat, the latter despite Brendan Donovan’s noteworthy night at the plate.

Results from games played Thursday, June 3^rd

Memphis 10 vs Toledo 6 (7) – game one
Memphis 3 vs Toledo 2  (7) – game two
The Redbirds swept a pair from the Mud Hens at AutoZone Park on Thursday, 10-6 and 3-2, the latter in walk off fashion.  Memphis (10-16) takes a two-games-to-one series’ lead with three on tap and now claim sole possession of fifth place in the Southeast Division, 10 ½ games behind Nashville (MIL).

Offense propelled the home team to victory in the opener which featured a combined 16 runs and 24 hits.  All nine starters reached base, led by designated hitter Ali Sanchez who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and two driven in.

Three Redbirds garnered two hits each:  first baseman John Nogowski, shortstop Evan Mendoza and centerfielder Conner Capel.  Nogowski and Mendoza both singled twice in four at bats and crossed home twice, Nogowski adding two RBI.  Capel went 2-for-3 with a double, his first triple, a walk, a run scored and one knocked in.

Two more Memphis players contributed to the cause.  Second baseman Kramer Robertson reached base twice, doubling once in three at bats with a base-on-balls, run scored and RBI.  Right fielder Justin Toerner’s Triple-A debut saw him launch a two-run home run, his only hit in three at bats.

Game 1️⃣
💣 1️⃣

Justin Toerner uncorked this one‼️ pic.twitter.com/gxkMxFqqVy

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) June 3, 2021

Justin Toerner

Tommy Parsons (W, 1-1) was the beneficiary of the offensive largess, picking up the win despite allowing six runs on 11 hits, including a solo long ball.  He did not issue a free pass.  Connor Jones faced the minimum in the seventh, striking out two.

Pitching highlighted the nightcap, a make-up contest that was washed away on June 1^st.  Austin Warner toed the rubber, his first 2021 start after seven relief appearances.  The lefty limited Toledo to a two-run second inning, yielding three hits, two base-on-balls and plunking a batter over 4 1/3 frames.

Roel Ramirez recorded five outs, four via the K, giving up a hit and stranding an inherited runner.  Evan Kruczynski tossed a one-two-three seventh, putting him in line for his second win in as many decisions after his teammates walked it off in the bottom of the inning.

Contrasting with the 13 hits Memphis banged out in game one, the Redbirds accumulated just five in the finale.  Capel got his team on the board with a solo shot in the home half of the second.  The bomb was one of the centerfielder’s two hits in three at bats, adding his second triple of the season and driving in two.  For his combined efforts in the twinbill, Capel earns the Player of the Day nod.

https://twitter.com/memphisredbirds/status/1400634392326852612

Conner Capel

Capel’s second triple of both the day and season drove in Nogowski after the latter greeted a new Mud Hens hurler with a third-inning double.  The game remained tied at 2-2 until left fielder Rayder Ascanio opened the seventh with a moon shot over the left center wall for the walk off win.

https://twitter.com/memphisredbirds/status/1400661152070307845

Friday’s game:  vs Toledo (12-14)(DET), 7:10  pm CT, Connor Thomas (1-2, 4.62)

Springfield 1 vs San Antonio 9
It was a long night for S-Cards pitchers as they were drubbed by the Missions, 9-1.  Springfield (7-19) has claimed one of the first three series’ games with three yet to play.  The S-Cards, who remain in fifth and last place in the five-team North Division, trail Tulsa (LAD) by 8 ½ games.

Starter Domingo Robles (L, 0-1) was charged with the unlucky loss despite both tallies he gave up being unearned.  The 23-year-old fanned four over 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and no walks.

Robles may have been tagged with the loss but the bullpen let the game get out of hand.  Jacob Bosiokovic permitted three scores on two hits and a free pass issued against four outs recorded.  The right-hander did leave Robles’ last runner aboard.

Michael Brettell was also scored upon, allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.  Jacob Patterson recorded the ninth’s final out, working around a base-on-balls that jammed the sacks full.

Springfield’s only tally gave them an early 1-0 lead after two but the advantage evaporated.  Luken Baker’s fourth home run of 2021 was his only hit in three at bats.  Nolan Gorman was the only S-Card with more than one of the team’s five hits, singling and doubling in four at bats.

If you smell a delicious, crispy smell after this home run, it's not your helmet nachos. It's just a little bit of RAKE…and BAKE(R)!

🍰 No. 4 for Luken pic.twitter.com/n45pUiCmvR

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 4, 2021

Luken Baker

Defensively, the home team committed four miscues leading to three unearned scores.  Third baseman Imeldo Diaz, second baseman Gorman plus pitchers Robles and Bosiokovic were the culprits.

Friday’s game:   vs San Antonio (13-14)(SD),  7:05 pm CT, Kyle Leahy (0-4, 15.98)

Peoria 7 at Wisconsin 8
The Chiefs came out on the wrong end of a see-saw road contest, falling to the Timber Rattlers, 8-7.  Peoria trails in the series, one game to two, and sit in sixth place in the six-team West Division stands, 6 ½ behind Quad Cities (KC).

A two-run first gave Peoria an early advantage, but Wisconsin responded with five runs off starter Nick Trogrlic-Iverson, going up 5-2 after three.  Trogrlic-Iverson did not finish the second, all five tallies generated by five hits and four free passes issued.

Enmanuel Solano stranded two inherited runners, limiting the damage to Trogrlic-Iverson but was tagged for a run on three hits and a base-on-balls during his 3 1/3 innings of work.

That run put the hosts up 6-2 through five frames but Peoria had one last offensive push in them.  The Chiefs exploded for a five-run sixth capped by Brendan Donovan’s grand slam, going back in front 7-6 after six.

GRAND SLAM!!

@bdonovan_42 gives us the lead with one swing of the bat!

T6 | Chiefs 7, Timber Rattlers 6#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/QqMrYxgrN3

— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 4, 2021

Brendan Donovan

Wisconsin had the final response, scoring a run in the seventh and eighth.  The tallies were charged to Fabian Blanco (L, 2-1)(BS, 1) who allowed five hits and retired eight batters.  Jacob Schlesener was on the mound when Blanco’s last base runner was caught stealing second.

Donovan had a big game for his team, going 3-for-5 with a double and the aforementioned blast that was one of his two runs scored and all four of his RBI’s.

Eight of nine starters either had at least one of Peoria’s ten hits or seven base-on-balls.  Centerfielder Tyler Reichenborn and shortstop Moises Castillo had two hits apiece, in three and five at bats respectively.  Brady Whalen launched his third long ball of 2021, his only hit in three at bats.

Friday’s game:  at Wisconsin (14-13)(MIL),  7:05 pm CT,  Jack Ralston (1-2, 2.21)

Palm Beach 5 vs Jupiter 4
Donivan Williams’ single drove in Tommy Jew in the ninth, giving the Beach Birds a 5-4 walk off victory over the Hammerheads.  Palm Beach (8-19) has claimed two of the first three games of the series with three to go.

The victory allowed fourth (and last) place Palm Beach to gain a game on first-place St. Lucie (NYM) whom they trail by eight games in the East Division standings.

Williams’ one-out single, his only hit in three at bats, easily brought Jew across home plate after the latter walked to open the frame.  Jew’s successful steal of second prompted an errant throw by Jupiter’s pitcher, advancing the right fielder to third.

Palm Beach generated eight hits, Todd Lott and Jacob Buchberger acquiring two apiece.  Lott doubled twice in four at bats, touching home once and Buchberger went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.  Jew’s sole hit in three at bats was his first career long ball which came with the bases empty.

Todd Lott

Defensively, the home team committed three errors.  Shortstop Masyn Winn was charged with both a throwing and fielding bobble while third baseman Darlyn Del Villar could not field the ball cleanly once.

That Beach Birds’ defense hindered their pitching staff’s efforts, resulting in three unearned tallies.  Starter Levi Prater was tagged with one of those unearned scores, the only run he allowed along with two hits and three walks through 4 1/3 frames.  The lefty fanned seven.

That run scored with Edwin Nunez on the bump, the righty charged with a run of his own, earned, on two hits and three base-on-balls in two innings.  Hector Soto recorded seventh’s last two outs but not before Nunez’ final base runner crossed home plate.  Soto gave up two hits and a walk in his maiden 2021 effort.

Dionys Rodriguez (BS, 1) was tasked with holding a 4-2 lead after seven but could not pitch around defensive lapses leading to two unearned runs that frame to go with two hits permitted.  Will Guay (W, 2-0) worked around his own wildness, tossing a clean ninth despite walking three and throwing a wild pitch.

Friday’s game: vs Jupiter (13-14) MIA(),  6 :30 pm ET, TBA

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Photo: Andre Pallante (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

St Louis’ minors went 1-1 with the other two games impacted by inclement weather.  Starter Andre Pallante and the Springfield offense were victorious in their efforts but Peoria went down to defeat.  Memphis’ contest was postponed and Palm Beach was unable to finish their game.

Results from games played Tuesday, June 1st

Memphis vs Toledo – postponed
The first of six games at AutoZone Park between Memphis (9-15) and Toledo was postponed due to inclement weather.  The contest has been rescheduled as part of a twin bill on Thursday, June 3^rd with game one’s start scheduled for 5:05 pm CT.

Wednesday’s game:  vs Toledo (11-12)(DET),  7:10 pm CT, Thomas Parsons (0-1, 4.56)

Springfield 10 vs San Antonio 3
S-Card bats pounced early to back Andre Pallante’s solid start, generating a 10-3 victory over the Missions in the home series’ opener.

Springfield (7-17) used a balanced offensive attack that saw all nine starters either garner one of the team’s 11 hits or cross home plate.  The steady effort resulted in five first-inning tallies, driving San Antonio’s starter from the game before he recorded his second out.  Springfield added two more in the seventh, capping the scoring with a three-run eighth.

The offense featured four S-Cards with two hits apiece: catcher Ivan Herrera, second baseman Nolan Gorman, first baseman Luken Baker and left fielder Alec Burleson – the two through five hitters in the lineup.

Herrera did the most damage, going 2-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored and an RBI.  Gorman singled twice in five at bats in the two hole just ahead of Herrera, scoring once, his third consecutive multi-hit start.

Baker matched Gorman’s output, going 2-for-5 while touching home once while Burleson continued his assault on Double-A hurlers.  The 22-year-old, the 70^th pick in the June 2020 First-Year Player Draft, has compiled a .356/.420/.620/1.040 line in 45 at bats since his May 17^th promotion from High-A Peoria.

Burleson’s third Springfield double was one of three extra-base hits along with a double by David Vinsky and Nick Plummer’s second triple of 2021.

📢 There's definitely 𝙽𝙾𝚃 𝙴𝙽𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷 𝙿𝙴𝙾𝙿𝙻𝙴 talking about @nplum11's 2-run triple@budweiserusa x #BudweiserUSA pic.twitter.com/q5lZavAfHM

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) June 2, 2021

Nick Plummer

The bats supported Player of the Day Pallante (W, 2-0) who has been one of the most consistent starters in St Louis’ minors this season.  The right-hander held San Antonio to two tallies on six hits and two base-on-balls in five innings.  Pallante has yielded two or fewer runs in all six starts, going five frames in three of his most recent four starts.

Ramon Santos and Edgar Escobar tossed two frames apiece, Santos surrendering a home run that was his only hit allowed.  Escobar retired all six batters faced.

Wednesday’s game:   vs San Antonio (11-14)(SD),  6:35 pm CT, Dalton Roach (1-2)(5.82)

Peoria 0 at Wisconsin 3
Peoria (9-16) could not get key hits as they fell at Wisconsin, 3-0.

The Chiefs’ outhit their rivals, eight to seven, but went 0-for-8 with runners In scoring position, stranding six.  The sole Peoria player with more than one hit was left fielder Matt Chamberlain who singled and doubled in three at bats at the bottom of the order.  The Timber Rattlers did not issue a free pass.

Logan Gragg (L, 0-2) gave a good account in his first start of 2021 after five relief appearances.  The tall Arkansas native limited the opposition to a run on three hits and a sac fly in 3 1/3 frames, departing with the bases clean.  Gragg did not walk a batter.

Logan Gragg

Wilfredo Pereira recorded eight outs, permitting one score on two hits and two base-on-balls while fanning five.  Freddy Pacheco was not scored upon in his inning on the bump, issuing one free pass but Jacob Schlesener was tagged for an eighth-inning run on two hits and a sac fly.

Wednesday’s game:  at Wisconsin (13-12)(MIL),  7:05 pm CT, Michael YaSenka (0-1, 5.60)

Palm Beach vs Jupiter – suspended
Tuesday’s contest between Palm Beach (6-18) and Jupiter was suspended due to rain.  The scoreless game was halted with two gone in the top of the fourth and a runner on first while Inohan Paniagua was pitching for the Beach Birds.  The contest’s completion is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2^nd along with the regularly scheduled game.

Wednesday’s game: vs Jupiter (12-12) (MIA), 12:00 pm ET, TBA

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Palm Beach Cardinals Notebook – 2021 Week 4

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

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Photo: Luken Baker (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

It was an 0-fer day in St Louis’ minors on Sunday with all four teams going down to defeat.  Luken Baker’s grand slam for Springfield was one of the bright spots as was teammate Ivan Herrera’s three-hit effort.

Results from games played Sunday, May 30^th

Memphis 0 at Gwinnett 5     

A short start, faltering bullpen and ineffective offense resulted in the Redbirds’ 5-0 defeat to Gwinnett (ATL)(13-10) at Coolray Field.  Memphis (9-14) won just one of the six-game road series, sitting fifth in the six-team Southeast Division, 9 ½ behind Nashville (MIL).

Angel Rondon’s (L, 0-3) fifth start lasted just four frames despite the righty yielding just an unearned tally on three hits and two walks.  Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth and facing a two on/none out opportunity, Memphis manager Ben Johnson elected to pull Rondon for a pinch hitter but the move generated no positive results.

What a time for our #SLRRRP second strikeout of the game!

Angel Rondón blows it by Kyle Wright and a runner is stranded at second 😤 pic.twitter.com/PBB72bwE0i

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) May 30, 2021

Angel Rondón

The Stripers jumped on the Redbirds’ bullpen for four more tallies, beginning with reliever Bernardo Flores Jr.  Flores was tagged for three runs on three hits and a whopping five free passes issued over 2 1/3 innings.

Evan Kruczynski walked one and retired two, stranding two inherited runners.  But Connor Jones surrendered a home run with the bases empty in his inning on the mound.

The sole Memphis player with more than one of the team’s six hits was Conner Capel who singled and doubled in four at bats, batting clean up.  The right fielder was caught stealing in his only attempt.

Third baseman Irving Lopez reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a base-on-balls in the eight slot.  Defensively, Lopez was charged with a fielding error, his first miscue overall.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs Toledo (DET)(10-12), 6:10 pm CT, TBA

Springfield 5 at Wichita 6            

The S-Cards could not hold an early lead, falling to the Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium 6-5.  Springfield (6-17) and Wichita (14-10)(MN) split the six-game series.  The S-Cards, who are in fifth place in the five-team North Division of the Double-A Central, trail Tulsa (LAD) by 7 ½ games.

The contest got off to a bang when Player of the Day Luken Baker smashed a grand slam, scoring Nick Plummer (walk), Ivan Herrera (single) and Juan Yepez (catcher’s interference).  The home run was Baker’s only hit in two at bats although the first baseman did work two base-on-balls.

Rake and Baker! 🍰

Luken Baker just sent a 1st-inning grand slam 420 feet 💪 pic.twitter.com/idWSsJ6pLe

— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) May 30, 2021

Luken Baker

Wichita crept back into the game with single scores off starter Kyle Leahy in three of the initial four frames. After the visitors added a fifth-inning tally, Leahy did not retire any of his four batters faced in the home half of the frame, leading to his departure.

The Colorado native allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts in four plus innings.

Michael Brettell kept the score at 5-4 Springfield by negotiating around a bases-loaded with no outs jam.  However, Brettell gave up a solo long ball in his third and final inning of work, one of two hits permitted.

Jake Walsh (L, 2-1) surrendered the game difference in the eighth via a double, two walks (one intentional) and a run-scoring wild pitch.

Springfield banged out nine hits led by Herrera who went 3-for-4 with a double, base-on-balls and two runs scored before being ejected in the ninth.   The only other S-Card with a multi-hit effort was Yepez who singled twice in three at bats, touching home once.

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  vs San Antonio (SD)(11-12), 6:35 pm CT, TBA

Peoria 3 at Beloit 7             

The Chiefs could not overcome an early deficit in their 7-3 loss at Beloit (MIA)(13-11).  Peoria (9-15) won three of their six-game set, and are in sixth place in the six-team West Division, 6 ½ games in back of Quad Cities (KC).

Connor Lunn took the loss, his first in two decisions, yielding four tallies on six hits and a walk in five plus frames.  The right-hander fanned seven.

Lunn’s last two runs scored under Fabian Blanco’s watch via a one-out single and a sac bunt.  It was the only hit allowed by Blanco during his inning of work to go with three strikeouts.  Wilfredo Pereira served up two solo shots constituting two of the three runs charged to him on three hits plus a plunked batter in two frames.

Down 2-0 through four, Peoria put up single tallies in each of the next two frames for a brief 2-2 tie at the sixth’s midpoint.  The Chiefs added a final run in the eighth, temporarily closing the deficit to 5-3.

Six Chiefs had one hit apiece with another two players reaching base via a base-on-balls.  Tyler Reichenborn launched his second bomb of 2021 while Brady Whalen doubled in a run.  It was the only hit in four at bats for both players.

Tyler Reichenborn

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:  at third-place Wisconsin (MIL)(12-11), 7:05 pm CT, TBA

Palm Beach 1 at Brandenton 13     

Starter John Beller retired just two batters while four of his six successors were scored upon as the Beach Birds were thumped by The Marauders 13-1.  Fourth-place Palm Beach (6-18) suffered a series’ sweep by Bradenton (PIT)(15-9) and sits firmly in last place in the Southeast Division, nine games in back of St Lucie (NYM).

Beller (L, 0-2) permitted four runs on four hits and two walks, two of the tallies coming from a long ball.  He threw 14 of his 33 pitches for strikes.

Righty Will Guay recorded the first’s last out, leaving Beller’s final two runners on base.  But the 24-year-old yielded a solo shot, one of two hits allowed along with a walk during his 2 1/3 innings.

Edwin Nunez tossed a clean fourth with one free pass issued, bouncing back from a horrific May 25^th appearance in which Bradenton tagged him for 10 runs on eight hits and two base-on-balls in two frames.

Luis Tena pitched the fifth, giving up three runs on two doubles, a triple and wild pitch.

Yordy Richard ‘outdid’ Tena by permitting three tallies in just 2/3 of an inning.  The 18-year-old yielded two hits and issued three free passes.

Reinys Portillo negated further damage by stranding three of Richard’s base runners but was tagged for two scores via a hit and four walks the next inning.  Luis Ortiz retired all four batters faced, stranding three inherited runners.

Palm Beach managed just five hits and their only run was unearned due to a two-base throwing error by Bradenton’s center fielder.  Catcher Roblin Heredia’s single up the middle ended up with him on third.  Masyn Winn’s fourth double of 2021 drove in Heredia easily.  The shortstop added his 11^th stolen base, tying him for third in the league in that category.

Masyn Winn

Monday’s game:  There are no scheduled MiLB games on Mondays this season
Tuesday’s game:   vs second-place (tie) Jupiter (MIA) (12-12), 6:30 pm ET, TBA

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Memphis Redbirds Notebook – 2021 Week 3

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photo: Alec Burleson (Trevor Travis/Peoria Chiefs)

In the 1-2 Thursday across the St. Louis Cardinals system, a top pitching prospect was battered and a late lead was squandered. In Springfield’s road win, Alec Burleson plated three and Ivan Herrera crossed home plate three times. Peoria was rained out.

Results from games played Thursday, May 27^th.

Memphis 2 at Gwinnett 14

The Redbirds could not overcome an early and enormous hole, resulting in a 14-2 pounding by the Stripers.  Memphis (8-13) has lost the first three of six games at Coolray Field by an aggregate tally of 27-8.

Starter and TCN no. 5 prospect Zack Thompson (L, 0-2) retired just four batters, surrendering an eight-run second inning on nine hits and two walks.  One of those hits was one of four home runs allowed by Redbirds pitchers, accounting for seven tallies.  Thompson’s long ball came with the bases clear.

Seth Elledge used four strikeouts to navigate around three hits for 1 2/3 scoreless frames.  The native Texan left Thompson’s final base runner aboard.

Andrew Miller served up a solo shot to the same Striper batter as Thompson in his second rehab outing.  It was his only hit given up to go with a free pass issued in his inning of work.

Evan Kruczynski was the third and final Memphis hurler to be bitten by the home run.  The lefty permitted a grand slam to the identical nemesis as Thompson and Miller plus a solo bomb so someone not named Alex Jackson.  Kruczynski recorded six outs, allowing four hits and a base-on-balls.

Connor Jones used a double play to mitigate a double plus two walks for a clean seventh. As the white flag was waved, Infielder Rayder Ascanio pitched the eighth, issuing just one free pass.

Rayder Ascanio

Home run balls benefitted Memphis too but not nearly as much as Gwinnett.  Both of the visitors’ tallies were generated by long balls – off the bats of third baseman Jose Rondon and center fielder Matt Szczur.  Rondon went 1-for-3 before being replaced defensively in the bottom of the seventh while Szczur’s blast was his only hit in four at bats.

Second baseman Kramer Robertson accumulated two more of his team’s five hits, singling twice in four at bats. Productive hitter Lars Nootbaar did not play after leaving Wednesday’s contest with a possible wrist injury.

Friday’s game:  vs. Gwinnett (ATL) (12-9), 7:05 pm ET, Thomas Parsons (0-0, 3.05)

Springfield 6 at Wichita 2

Big offensive efforts by Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera led the S-Cards to a 6-2 victory over host Wichita.  Springfield (5-15) holds a two-games-to-one lead in the six-game set at Riverfront Stadium.

Burleson (TCN no. 15 prospect) and Herrera (TCN no. 3) both banged out three hits in five at bats. The former launched a two-run home run with the latter aboard., earning them co-Player of the Day honors.  The right fielder drove in three and the catcher touched home three times.

Iván Herrera

Alec Burleson

Shortstop Delvin Perez reached base three times out of the lead-off slot, going 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.  He was one-for-one in stolen base attempts.

The final Springfield player with more than one hit was Nick Plummer, who singled twice in three at bats with a base-on-balls while driving in one.  The left fielder was caught stealing in his only attempt.  Springfield garnered 11 hits in all.

Andre Pallante’s fifth start was a mixed bag at best.  The 22-year-old allowed six hits in 4 2/3 frames while his control issues continued with four free passes given.  The California native has walked 14 batters in 22 1/3 frames this season.  The fact that he permitted just two unearned runs is more to the credit of his replacement, Jacob Bosiokovic.

Bosiokovic (W, 1-2) retired seven of eight batters faced, giving up a hit and stranding three inherited runners.  It was the first Double-A victory for the 27-year-old right-hander. Jake Walsh yielded just one hit during his two innings on the mound.

Friday’s game:  at Wichita (MN) (12-9), 7:05 pm CT, TBA

Peoria at Beloit – postponed

Game 3 of six between the Chiefs (7-13) and Snappers was postponed due to inclement weather.  The contest at Pohlman Field has been rescheduled as a doubleheader on Saturday, May 29^th with Game 1 starting at 4:05 pm CT.

Friday’s game:  at Beloit (MIA) (11-9), 6:35 pm CT, Michael YaSenka (0-1, 6.39)

Palm Beach 5 at Bradenton 6

The Beach Birds’ bullpen could not hold a three-run lead with four outs remaining, resulting in a 6-5 loss to the Marauders at LECOM Field.  Palm Beach (6-15) is looking for its first win in the six-game series with three contests remaining.

Luis Ortiz had a hand in four of the five runs the bullpen allowed.  The Dominican native entered the seventh with one out and a runner aboard from Francisco Justo’s efforts.  That base runner scored before the inning’s finish, bringing the score to 5-2.  Ortiz recorded two quick outs the next frame but the third out proved elusive with three runs charged to him on two hits and three walks.

All three runners crossed home plate with Yordy Richard (L, 1-2) (BS, 2) on the mound.  Richard issued three free passes of his own to go with a hit, his efforts generating what proved to be the difference in the game.

The bullpen’s implosion wasted a fine performance by starter Inohan Paniagua, his best effort to date this season.  In Paniagua’s second straight start in after three relief appearances, the 21-year-old limited the opposition to a solo blast, the only hit yielded in four frames, his longest stint so far.  The righty struck out seven, issued a free pass and hit two batters.

Inohan Paniagua

Justo fanned three over the next 2 1/3 frames but walked three, one of whom came around to score. The 6-foot-4 righty plunked a batter and was charged with a wild pitch.

Palm Beach outhit Bradenton 10 to four but were issued ‘just’ five free passes versus the 10 allowed by their bullpen.  Six of the 10 Beach Birds’ hits were doubles, including at least one each by Mason Winn, Carlos Soto and Jacob Buchberger.

Buchberger reached base four times, doubling twice in three at bats with two walks and two runs scored.  Winn and Soto doubled one time each, Winn touching home once and Soto driving in three.   Jordan Walker did not play.

Friday’s game: at Bradenton (PIT) (12-9), 6:05 pm ET, Levi Prater (0-1, 1.72)

For more

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TCN’s Monthly Cardinals Top 50 Prospect Rankings – May 2021

Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

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