photo: Adam Wainwright via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals let one get away on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, as they gave up a two-run lead to fall to Kansas City, 5-4. Despite struggling with his command, Adam Wainwright gutted through seven innings.
The St. Louis Cardinals (10-9) failed to capitalize late, falling to the Kansas City Royals, 5-4, at Busch Stadium Tuesday evening. Each team has claimed one of the series’ first two games with the rubber match slated for Wednesday night.
A four-run third gave the home team a 4-2 lead. But on a night in which starter Adam Wainwright said he struggled with command of his signature curveball until the fifth inning, that lead was never safe. Wainwright battled through seven frames, yielding single tallies in four, on seven hits and two walks.
John Gant (L, 0-1) was tagged for a run on two hits and a free pass in the eighth, his only inning on the bump. It was the first time the righty had been scored upon in eight relief appearances covering 8 2/3 frames. Tyler Webb worked a clean ninth.
But St. Louis had late opportunities to flip the script on their cross-state rivals. Paul DeJong was struck down at home plate trying to score from first on a double by Yadier Molina for the second out of the eighth. The next frame, Harrison Bader tripled to center with one gone but Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt failed to get him home against former St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal.
Tommy Edman via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The home team was outhit by the Royals, 10 to eight, and DeJong was the only Cardinal with multiples. The shortstop went 3-for-4 went with an RBI. Third baseman Edman walked, doubled, plated two and scored a run. Cleanup hitter and designated hitter Brad Miller singled and drove in the other St. Louis tally.
The Chicago Cubs also lost, keeping the Cardinals three games back in the National League Central Division.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Kansas City (12-18), 7:15 p.m. CT, Dakota Hudson (0-2, 3.46) vs. Jakob Junis (0-0, 4.00), FOX Sports Midwest/KMOX
photo: Paul Goldschmidt via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals opened their home set against the Kansas City Royals with a convincing Monday night win. Paul Goldschmidt led the offense with three RBI, backing a five-inning scoreless start by Jack Flaherty.
A five-run fifth propelled the St. Louis Cardinals (10-8) to a 9-3 romp over the Kansas City Royals in the series opener at Busch Stadium on Monday evening.
Clinging to a 1-0 lead, the home team used five fifth-inning tallies to break the game open. The Cardinals added two more runs the next frame and capped the scoring with a single score in the seventh.
Paul Goldschmidt spearheaded his squad’s 12-hit assault, going 3-for-4 with a walk and two-run bomb comprising one of his two runs scored and two of his three RBI. Brad Miller also went 3-for-4 with a base-on-balls, touching home twice. The final Cardinal with a multi-hit effort was lead-off hitter Tommy Edman, who singled twice in four at bats with a walk, two runs scored and one knocked in.
Brad Miller via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Jack Flaherty (W, 2-0) turned in a strong effort, blanking the opposition on one hit over five frames. The right-hander threw 41 of his 64 pitches for strikes in his longest stint of the season and second since the COVID shutdown. Flaherty outdueled the Royals’ Brad Keller (L, 3-1), who had not been scored upon this season, 17 2/3 innings over three starts.
Jack Flaherty via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
A trio of St. Louis hurlers shared pitching duties over the last four innings. Alex Reyes was unable to work around shortstop Paul DeJong’s throwing error, yielding a free pass and three-run long ball that finished his evening with just one out secured in the sixth.
Austin Gomber recorded five outs, issuing one free pass and fanning two. Jake Woodford navigated around two hits for two scoreless frames.
Defensively, DeJong’s bobble was one of three uncharacteristic miscues by the Cardinals. Third baseman Miller committed a throwing error and second baseman Edman was charged with a fielding miscue.
St. Louis improved to 4-1 on the current 12-game homestand. Just ahead are two contests each with the Royals and Pirates and three with the Cleveland Indians over the weekend. The Cards remain three games back of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
Tuesday’s game: vs. Kansas City (11-18), 7:15 pm CDT, Adam Wainwright (2-0, 2.00) vs Matt Harvey (0-1, 9.00), FOX Sports Midwest/KMOX
Yadier Molina’s four-hit performance paced the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Sunday’s series finale at Busch Stadium. St. Louis (9-8) claimed the weekend set over Cincinnati (11-15), three-games-to-one.
Molina’s big day was the 19th four-hit performance of his career and first against the Reds. The veteran catcher went 4-for-5 with a run scored and two driven in, accounting for a third of his team’s 12 total hits.
Shildt on Yadi: "So many characteristics that are super unique and special. He's got qualities that are almost beyond describing. … This guy's an elite player." #STLCardspic.twitter.com/pDX8aXXkU8
Cincinnati broke through on the scoreboard first, scoring twice against St. Louis starter Daniel Ponce de Leon in his initial inning of work. It took the righty 29 pitches to navigate the first, during which he issued two of his four free passes and yielded a two-run bomb. Ponce de Leon was finished after 93 pitches over 4 2/3 frames, yielding three hits and hitting one batter.
However, the Cardinals answered with a two-run knock of their own, as Harrison Bader went yard for the second time in as many games. His drive over the wall in center scored Dylan Carlson (force), knotting the game a 2-2.
Molina’s bat put St. Louis up for good the next inning after he lined a single to center with two gone. That hit brought Paul Goldschmidt across home after the latter opened the frame with his second double of 2020.
The contest remained a tight 3-2 affair until the home half of the seventh when the Redbirds broke it open. Matt Carpenter led off with a double, his second hit of the game in four at bats, advancing to third via Tyler O’Neill’s fly out to deep right. Molina once again came through with another single up the middle, making the score 4-2. After Paul DeJong lined out to right, in his return to action from the Injury List, Carlson launched his first Major League home run over the right center wall for the final score.
Carlson on his first MLB homer: "It was real exciting. I was just trying to drive something in that situation." #STLCards
St. Louis had four players with a multi-hit effort: Molina, Carpenter, Carlson and Bader. Carpenter and Carlson each went 2-for-4, the former working a base-on-balls, while Bader added his third double of the season to his two-run shot in three at bats with a walk.
The bullpen was stellar once again, yielding no hits over the final 4 1/3 frames. Genesis Cabrera (W, 2-1) issued one walk against six outs before John Gant retired his only batter. Andrew Miller tossed a 1-2-3 eighth and Alex Reyes used a 3-6-3 double play to erase a one-out walk at the game’s finish.
Matt Carpenter’s second career grand slam catapulted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-3 rout of the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Wrigley Field.
Carpenter’s first-inning bomb came plated Kolten Wong (hit-by-pitch), Tommy Edman (single) and Paul Goldschmidt (walk) and was one of the team’s 11 hits. The blast raised Carpenter’s career average in bases-loaded situations to .500, 28-for-56, but it was his only hit in four at bats.
Edman singled three times in four at bats, touching home twice and knocking in two. Wong reached base all four times he came to the plate, with a single. a walk, a double and hit-by-pitch while scoring four times. Goldschmidt was on base three times, singling one in two at bats with two free passes, a run scored and two driven in.
The final player with more than one hit was Brad Miller, who singled and doubled in three at bats. The third baseman added a base-on-balls and two RBI.
It took five Cardinals pitchers to cover the seven frames but those five held the Cubs to just two hits. Pitching for the first time since Opening Day on July 24th, Jack Flaherty lasted just 1 2/3 innings before exhausting his pitch allotment. Flaherty surrendered a lead-off bomb and issued two free passes but threw first-pitch strikes to nine batters faced. He departed after plunking a batter on his 41st pitch.
Fresh off the injured list, Austin Gomber recorded four outs but struggled to get ahead in the count, resulting in two bases-on-balls. Tyler Webb (W, 1-1) and John Gant both retired all four batters faced with two strikeouts apiece. But Ricardo Sanchez was tagged for a two-run long ball in the ninth after issuing the staff’s eighth free pass.
St. Louis (6-7) rallied for a late tie but could not get over the hump in their 4-2 ‘home’ loss to Chicago (16-8). The contest made up an August 8th game at Busch Stadium postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Behind 2-0 at the fifth’s midpoint, the ‘home’ team pushed across their first tally without benefit of a hit. Tyler O’Neill reached via a two-base throwing error to lead off, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on Andrew Knizner’s sac fly to center.
The Cardinals tied it up a two all the next inning. Dylan Carlson and Goldschmidt worked back-to-back walks, bringing Miller to the plate. His two-out single plated Carlson, evening the contest up.
The tie was short-lived, however, after Andrew Miller (L, 0-1) yielded two runs on three hits against just one batter retired. Giovanny Gallegos recorded the last two outs.
A bright spot in the loss was the solid performance of St. Louis’ starter, Johan Oviedo, in his Major League debut. The righty went five innings with the opposition breaking through against him in only one frame. Oviedo was touched for a two-run second on one of his two hits and both free passes issued during his time on the bump. Genesis Cabrera faced the minimum in the sixth.
The 6-7 Cardinals completed their 4-4 road trip with a 2-3 series deficit at Wrigley. Next up is a 12-game homestand in 11 days against four different opponents, starting with the Reds.
Thursday’s game: vs. Cincinnati (10-12), 7:15 pm CDT, Adam Wainwright (2-0, 1.64) vs. Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.05) FOX Sports Midwest // KMOX
Related article
Wednesday’s roster updates and progress reports on the COVID-IL players.
photo: Brad Miller via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals (5-5) opened their five-games-in-three-days set with the Chicago Cubs by splitting their Monday twin bill. The Cards claimed the opener, 3-1, but stumbled in the finale at Wrigley Field, 5-4. Third baseman/designated hitter Brad Miller drove in five of the Cards’ seven runs in the odd road-home split.
Brad Miller’s two-run double in the final inning provided the difference in Game 1, unraveling a 1-1 knot. The third baseman’s bases-loaded liner to left drove in Tyler O’Neill (walk) and Matt Carpenter (single). It was Miller’s only hit in three at bats and one of only four St. Louis hits overall.
The pair of seventh-inning tallies made a loser of Cubs’ starter Kyle Hendricks (L, 3-2), who has traditionally dominated the Cardinals. Hendricks had handcuffed the Cardinals on just one hit through the initial six frames. That sole knock belonged to Dexter Fowler, who took him deep to put the Cardinals up 1-0 after three.
The lead was short-lived when Chicago’s Ian Happ answered with a solo knock of his own off St. Louis starter Kwang-Hyun Kim to kick off the fourth. Kim, making his long-awaited first start on American soil, went 3 2/3 innings, giving up that lone run on three hits and three walks.
A trio of relievers retired every batter they faced, beginning with John Gant who recorded four outs, including three strikeouts. Giovanny Gallegos (W, 1-0) tossed a 1-2-3 sixth, fanning two, before Andrew Miller faced the minimum in the seventh for his second save.
In a makeup game from August 7 rescheduled as the second of two Monday contests, the “home” St. Louis bullpen faltered late, transforming a 4-1 advantage into a 5-4 defeat.
Reliever Tyler Webb (L, 0-1) (BS, 1) was ineffective in the sixth, surrendering three runs plus another inherited tally on two hits and two walks against just two outs. One of the two hits was a three-run bomb by pinch-hitter David Bote that capped the scoring.
The inherited tally was charged to Genesis Cabrera. The lefty faced the minimum in the fifth but plunked the sixth’s lead-off batter before recording his final out.
Alex Reyes took the mound first in the bullpen start and had difficulty locating the plate. As a result of his 24 pitches, of which just 10 were strikes, the right-hander pitched just one inning. The plan had been for two. Reyes was tagged for a run on three walks and a run-scoring passed ball. It could have been worse had he not tagged out a second Cubs runner trying to score following his miscue.
Two more Cardinals relievers made both their organizational and Major League debuts – southpaw Ricardo Sanchez and right-hander Nabil Crismatt. Sanchez handled the second and third frames, fanning three and issuing two free passes. Crismatt worked around a hit and walk for a clean seventh. In his second appearance in two days, lefty Rob Kaminsky hurled a one-two-three fourth, striking out one.
Overall, St. Louis pitching allowed just three hits, same as in Game 1. The difference in Game 2 was the nine free passes issued. They simply could not overcome the blast surrendered by Webb, with the other two runners on base due to a hit-by-pitch and a walk.
All of St. Louis’ runs were generated by the long ball. In his first career action at Wrigley, Miller followed up his Game 1 heroics with the second multi-homer game of his career in the nightcap. The first was a two-run shot with Matt Carpenter (walk) aboard, giving his team a 2-1 lead after two. Back-to-back solo jacks by Miller and Max Schrock padded the lead in the fourth. It was Schrock’s first MLB home run, coming from an infielder who was known for hitting for average in the minors, not power.
Four MLB debuts increased the weekend total to seven, but one stumbled as the St. Louis Cardinals lost the Sunday finale, but still took the weekend series over the White Sox in Chicago.
St. Louis failed to quash the White Sox (11-11) on Sunday as the Cardinals fell to Chicago, 7-2, in the series finale, a contest featuring no less than four Major League debuts by the visitors. Thanks to their Saturdayt doubleheader sweep, St. Louis (4-4) claimed the series at Guaranteed Rate Field, two games to one.
With 11 players from the team’s Opening Day roster currently sidelined on the Injury List and three other pitchers out for the season, the Cardinals turned to their minor league depth for replacements with mixed results. After outfielder Dylan Carlson, second baseman Max Schrock and hurler Jake Woodford participated in their first Major League contest during Saturday’s double-header, Sunday’s game featured four more first-timers: first baseman John Nogowski plus relievers Seth Elledge, Rob Kaminsky and Roel Ramirez.
The battle began with Dakota Hudson on the mound for St. Louis. It took Hudson (L, 0-2) 23 pitches to navigate the first but just 32 more pitches to complete the following three frames. After the game, Hudson said it took a while to get his breaking stuff going. The righty yielded a first-inning tally on two hits and a walk before retiring his last 10 batters. With Hudson’s target for the day having been 60 pitches, he was replaced after the fourth.
The Cardinals’ slim 1-0 deficit mushroomed to a 7-0 crater after Ramirez took the mound in the fifth. With two outs, the Texas native surrendered four consecutive long balls accounting for six runs on six hits.
Elledge’s maiden Major League effort was as impressive as Ramirez’ was dismal. The 24-year-old right-hander retired all seven batters faced, five of them via the K. Elledge threw 17 of his 25 pitches for strikes.
The eighth’s pitching duties belonged to Kaminsky, who claimed one of the day’s best stories. St. Louis originally drafted the southpaw out of high school in the first round of the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
However, Kaminsky exited the organization in July 2015 in a trade with Cleveland for Brandon Moss only to see his career hampered by multiple trips to the Injury List with shoulder problems. During the past off-season the Cardinals signed him to a minor league contract and his long journey to the Show finally ended on Sunday. Kaminsky’s 1-2-3 frame included a strikeout looking sandwiched between two groundball outs.
Another rookie with a long trip to his first Major League game was Nogowski, whom St Louis acquired from an independent league team in 2017. The 27-year-old veteran of over 17, 700 minor league at bats singled once in four plate appearances in his first taste of the bigs.
Nogowski’s hit was one of six for the squad on Sunday, but the biggest belonged to third baseman Matt Carpenter. Carpenter rapped a line drive single to right with the sacks jammed in the sixth, bringing across Tommy Edman (force) and Paul Goldschmidt (fielder’s choice), ending Chicago’s shutout bid in the process.
Monday’s games: doubleheader at Chicago Cubs (13-6). Game 1 – 4:15 pm CT, Kwang Hyun Kim (0-0, 9.00) vs. Kyle Hendricks (3-1, 3.08). Game 2 (makeup of August 7th contest) 30 minutes after Game 1, Bullpen vs. TBA FOX Sports Midwest // KMOX
232 pages, 97,000 words, over 60 player capsules, history and much more – in both PDF and spiral-bound book versions. Foreword by Dan McLaughlin. Order your copy today! Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
Starter Daniel Ponce de Leon’s eight strikeouts were not enough to prevent the St. Louis Cardinals’ third straight loss, a 3-0 shutout at Minnesota (4-1) on Wednesday evening at Target Field. St. Louis (2-3) dropped both games of the two-game series.
Ponce de Leon (L, 0-1) fanned eight but lasted just 3 2/3 frames, yielding three runs on only two hits – an RBI double and solo home run, two walks and a hit batsman. It took the righty a whopping 85 pitches to navigate that span as he threw 52 of them for strikes.
Four Cardinals’ relievers shared pitching duties the rest of the way, tossing a combined 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Tyler Webb relieved Ponce de Leon with two on and two gone, permitting an RBI single before recording the fourth’s final out. Kodi Whitley retired all five batters faced, striking out two, but Andrew Miller could not duplicate Whitley’s efficiency.
Miller recorded two outs but allowed two singles, putting runners at the corners for Ryan Helsley. The first of five outs recorded by Helsley was a fielder’s choice as Yadier Molina chased down a Twins runner trying to score.
St. Louis’ offense was blanked on just three hits, all singles, and one base-on-balls. They struck out nine times and have generated just four tallies over their three most recent contests, all defeats.
Thursday: Off
Friday’s game: at Milwaukee (3-3), 1:10 pm CT, Jack Flaherty (1-0, 2.57) vs. Brett Anderson (13-9, 3.89 in 2019 – season debut) FOX Sports Midwest // KMOX
For more
Check out summaries of pre- and post-game comments from Mike Shildt and key Cardinals players located in the daily game threads at The Cardinal Nation’s free message board. While you are there, join the talk with other Cardinals fans.
232 pages, 97,000 words, over 60 player capsules, history and much more – in both PDF and spiral-bound book versions. Foreword by Dan McLaughlin. Order your copy today!
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
A big second inning against starter Carlos Martinez doomed the St. Louis Cardinals (2-2) to a 6-3 road loss to the Minnesota Twins (3-1) Tuesday evening at Target Field. The contest was the first of two between the squads.
Making his first start in nearly two years, Martinez (L, 0-1) was tagged for six runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3 frames. Five of the six tallies came in the second when the right-hander served up two home runs, accounting for three scores. Martinez’ sole free pass issued was intentional.
All of the Cardinals’ scoring was generated by the long ball as well. Tyler O’Neill launched a towering shot over the left center wall in the fifth after Dexter Fowler opened the frame by lining a single to left. It was O’Neill’s second bomb of 2020, this one coming off Twins’ starter Homer Bailey (W, 1-0) and was the only runs St. Louis could muster against Bailey during his five-inning stint.
In contrast to O’Neill’s no-doubter, Tommy Edman needed a bit of assistance for his solo shot. The third baseman kicked off the eighth with a shot to center that bounced off the glove of Twins’ center fielder Byron Buxton and over the wall. Edman’s first home run of the season was one of three times the third baseman reached, along with a double and walk in four plate appearances.
St. Louis garnered seven hits in all versus striking out nine times. The only other Cardinal with more than one hit was designated hitter Matt Carpenter, who singled twice in four at bats out of the five hole.
Four relievers combined to shut down Minnesota’s offense over Martinez’ initial 5 1/3 innings. Austin Gomber retired five batters before handing the ball off to Giovanny Gallegos, who had been activated off the Injured List earlier in the day. Gallegos recorded two outs to finish the sixth before giving way to Tyler Webb. Webb and John Gant both tossed one-two-three frames, striking out one.
Wednesday’s game: 7:10 pm CT at Minnesota, RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon (1-2, 3.70 in 2019) vs LHP Rich Hill (11-5, 3.66 in 2019) (season debuts), FS Midwest//KMOX
Check out summaries of pre- and post-game comments from Mike Shildt and key Cardinals players located in the daily game threads at The Cardinal Nation’s free message board. While you are there, join the talk with other Cardinals fans.
232 pages, 97,000 words, over 60 player capsules, history and much more – in both PDF and spiral-bound book versions. Foreword by Dan McLaughlin. Order your copy today!
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
The St. Louis Cardinals came up short in their quest for their first series sweep, instead falling to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, 5-1.
Dakota Hudson (L, 0-1) lasted just 4 1/3 frames in his season debut, yielding four runs on seven hits and a free pass. The right-hander held the Bucs scoreless through three, aided by two vintage defensive plays by Yadier Molina. After Hudson gave up a single to his first batter faced, the Cardinals’ leader picked the runner off first, preserving a 1-2-3 inning. St Louis’ starter permitted a one-out single the next stanza but Molina again came through, nailing the runner in an attempted steal of second base.
Kolten Wong (Jasen Vinlove/Imagn)
In the home half of the third, St. Louis scrapped together its sole tally, utilizing speed and aggressive baserunning. Tommy Edman strode to the plate with two gone and Kolten Wong on second. The third baseman won a footrace with Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller (W, 1-0) for an infield single. Meanwhile, Wong (single, wild pitch) raced home ahead of Keller’s throw.
The 1-0 lead was short-lived, however, as Hudson’s elevated pitches generated two home runs producing three scores and a 3-1 deficit. All three fourth-inning baserunners came after the 25-year-old recorded the last two of his four strikeouts.
Hudson retired his final batter after giving up a lead-off double to open the fifth. A base-on-balls put two aboard, bringing Austin Gomber into the game. The lefty went 1 2/3 frames, walking his first batter and allowing one of Hudson’s two runners to cross the plate.
Tommy Edman (Jasen Vinlove/Imagn)
A bright spot in the contest was the Major League debut of Kodi Whitley. The tall righty tossed a clean seventh via a 6-3 groundout, liner to center and swinging K.
Andrew Miller and Junior Fernandez each went an inning. Miller permitting a free pass and RBI double. Fernandez faced the minimum in the ninth.
The offense just did not get on track. Edman’s single was one of five Cardinals’ hits, one each produced by five players. Shortstop Paul DeJong reached base twice, doubling once in three at bats with a base-on-balls.
Monday’s game: Off for travel.
Tuesday’s game: 7:10 p.m. at Minnesota Twins, RHP Carlos Martínez (4-2, 3.17 in 2019) vs. RHP Homer Bailey (13-9, 4.57 in 2019) (season debuts), FS Midwest // KMOX
For more
Check out summaries of pre- and post-game comments from Mike Shildt and key Cardinals players located in the daily game threads at The Cardinal Nation’s free message board. While you are there, join the talk with other Cardinals fans.
Mike Shildt via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
232 pages, 97,000 words, over 60 player capsules, history and much more – in both PDF and spiral-bound book versions. Foreword by Dan McLaughlin. Order your copy today!
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top position player on the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Blue is then-19-year old outfielder Darlin Moquete.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top position player on the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Red is 18-year old outfielder Diowill Burgos, who already earned a promotion to the US.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
From among six qualifying candidates, 18-year old Gustavo J. Rodriguez is The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top starting pitcher on the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Blue.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
From among seven qualifying candidates, 18-year old All-Star right-hander Angel Cuenca is The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top starting pitcher on the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Red.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
From among 10 qualifying candidates, 18-year old Victor Villanueva is The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top bullpen member of the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Blue.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
From among 11 qualifying candidates, first-year right-hander Luis Garcia is The Cardinal Nation’s choice as the top bullpen member of the 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Red.
This content is for paid members only. Join The Cardinal Nation today! Register
The longer standing of the two St. Louis Cardinals’ entries in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League, the Blue, had the best winning percentage in the entire Cardinals system, but finished in second place in its division in 2019.
The Dominican Summer League (DSL) is at the Rookie level within baseball’s minor league structure. The league is a gateway into affiliated professional baseball for players who are not eligible for Major League Baseball’s annual June First-Year Player Draft. The lack of eligibility is mainly because of not meeting the residency requirement.
The DSL is comprised of 45 teams split among six divisions with the Cardinals Blue assigned to the nine-team South Division, the largest one. (By contrast, two divisions have six teams each with the 24 squads balance divided evenly between the remaining three divisions.) Each team plays exclusively within its own division, to minimize travel.
Cardinals Dominican Academy (St. Louis Cardinals)
After 13 seasons with one team in the league, St Louis expanded to two squads for the 2018 season, enabling them to double the number of players assigned. The original team became the Cardinals Blue and a second team was created, the Cardinals Red, which plays in the eight-team San Pedro Division. Both teams share the Baseball Oasis facility with one team almost always home while the other is on the road.
The 2019 season began on June 1st and ran through August 24th with a maximum of 72 games scheduled. However, the South Division scheduled 64 games, due to uneven number of teams in the division necessitating additional off days. Because of the rather significant difference between the total games played in the South Division versus the rest of the league, which was 71 or 72 games, a counting stats comparison between the Cardinals Blue versus the league will not be addressed in this review.
The Team
During the 2019 season, 37 players received playing time on the Cardinals Blue, with eight – four position and four pitching – also seeing action on the Cardinals Red. For the purposes of this article, the stats of those eight remain in the cumulative team totals in which they were generated. However, each of the eight player’s stats and prior experience was counted against the team for which they played the most, both when analyzing individual ages and experience (see below) and consideration for year-end awards.
The Blue averaged 17.8 years of age, slightly above the league average of 17.7. While the vast majority hail from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Columbia were represented as well. The squad had 15 Rookies experiencing their first taste of professional ball, 15 players with one year of experience and three with two prior pro seasons.
Blending the age and prior experience components, with ages marked as of the start of the 2019 season on June 1, the 15 Rookies were a mix of three 16-year-olds, six 17-year-olds, five 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old. For ages of players who played pro ball for one year prior to 2019, two were 17 on Opening Day, eight were 18, four were 19 and one was 20. The three two-year veterans were all 19.
The Season
The Cardinals Blue began the season as the defending South Division Champions, a first for the organization. The team’s results on a monthly basis were 15-7 in June, 14-8 in July and 12-8 in August to finish with a 41-23 mark. That was good for second in the division, two games behind the DSL Rockies. In fact, the Cardinals Blue’s play-off hopes continued until the second to last day of the regular season, when they lost a head-to-head match-up versus the Rockies that would have propelled them back into first place.
The Cardinals Blue had a slight preference for their home field, going 22-10 there versus 19-13 away. Their longest winning streak was a 10-game ride from August 3rd through 16th. Immediately following came a four-game losing skid from August 17th through 21st. That was the first time the team had lost more than two consecutive games all season. The C Blue went 14-9 in games decided by one run, 6-6 in two-run contests, 3-2 for those decided by three runs and 17-8 in games determined by four or more tallies.
The Blue’s 2019 winning percentage of .641 was best among all Cardinals minor league affiliates by a substantial margin, but still down from the blistering .708 pace of the year before.
Pitching
21 hurlers took the mound, including only two left-handers, Nelson Prada and Cristoffer Zapata, and both southpaws received their unconditional release at the season’s end. The average age of the staff was 17.9 years old, placing them in a three-way tie for fifth place with the Rangers2 and Dodgers Bautista. That was under the league average of 18.3 years.
In comparison, the Blue Jays had the league’s youngest staff at 17.6 years of age while the Cubs2’s pitchers averaged 19.5 years, which were the oldest. Contrasting the average age of this year’s staff to last, the 2018 Cardinals Blue staff averaged 18.4 years old, which was the league average last season.
The young staff, which included four rookies in the rotation, compiled a 3.63 team Earned Run Average (ERA) and 1.352 Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched (WHIP) which tied them for 12th in ERA and 10th in WHIP as compared to their counterparts on other squads. Although the C Blue staff was decidedly lower middle-of-the-pack in Hits Per 9 Innings (8.5) and Strikeouts Per Nine innings (8.0), tied for 27th and 28th, their Walks Per 9 Innings was a strong 3.7, putting them seventh in that category and seventh in Strikeouts-to-Walks ratio (2.16:1).
Offense
The average age of Cardinals Blue hitters was 17.8, placing them just over the league average of 17.7 and in a seven-way tie for 25th. That number puts them a tad older than the 2018 average of 17.6. The Padres claimed the youngest group at 17.1 and on the other end of the age spectrum, both the White Sox and Rays2 hitters averaged 18.4 years old.
This Blue offense put runs on the board to the tune of 6.19 per game on average, seventh in the league. Of the six teams above them, just three had a younger average age.
What else did the 2019 Cardinals Blue offense do well? That would be two categories with a direct connection: On-Base Percentage and Average Walks per Plate Appearance. The C Blue placed in the top quarter of the league in both areas, compiling a .368 on-base percentage, which was eighth in the DSL. In the average number of base-on-balls per plate appearance drawn, their 1:8 ratio was 11th.
The Cardinals Blue were either close to or in the top third in Batting Average (.256), Slugging (.360) and OPS (.728). That slash line ranked them in a three-way tie for 14th in Batting Average, 16th in Slugging and 13th in OPS.
A glaring weakness was contact…or lack thereof. The Cardinals Blue whiffed an average of once every 3.63 at bats, 38th of 45 teams. Considering strikeouts per plate appearance instead does not change much since the team struck out an average of once every 4.37 plate appearances, 35th in the league.
Defense
The Cardinals Blue tied with three other teams for 22nd in the league with a .954 fielding percentage. In comparison, the league’s top defensive team was the Rangers1 with a .971 fielding percentage and the worst was the Angels’ .938. However, there were individuals who impressed with their glove work but more on them in the upcoming Player of the Year article.
Catching duties were shared mainly by two players for whom 2019 was their second year in the league: Jose Zapata and Luis Rodriguez. Zapata is the younger of the two by a year, having turned 18 in February, and he received a bit more time behind the plate – 31 games to Rodriguez’ 23. But Rodriguez was far superior at nailing base runners, catching 59% of 37 attempted steals versus Zapata, who caught only 27% of 63 runners, while generating similar offense – higher batting average for Rodriguez but a bit better walk rate and slugging percentage for Zapata.
Team backstops had a caught stealing rate of 34%, placing them in a four-way tie for 14th in the league. The upper portion of the league was so competitive in this category that only 3% separated the Cardinals Blue from 8th place.
Let us take a bit deeper dive into attempted steals by comparing the team to their eight division mates. The other eight teams would be facing and trying to catch a similar group of base runners, which should give another view on how the team did. The Cardinals Blue tied the Phillies Red for second in the South Division, behind the cellar-dwelling Nationals with a 35% caught rate. The Cardinals Blue also had the fewest attempts made against their backstops, 123, versus 145 for the Phillies Red and 169 for the Nationals.
The All-Stars
The 2019 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game took place on Sunday, July 14th with the Cardinals Blue sending just one player – outfielder Gustavo A. Rodriguez. While 2019 was Rodriguez’ first year of pro ball, the 19-year-old was signed as an international free agent on July 2, 2018 but was placed on the Restricted List on July 14, 2018 before seeing any action.
The wait was worth it for the Cardinals, as the Dominican native was hot out of the gate, slashing .329/.352/.513/.865 in 19 June games, which earned him an All-Star nod. But Rodriguez’ offensive line plummeted in July, .200/.341/.271/.612 in 21 games before he generated an August bounceback of .262/.357/.344/.701 in 16 games for an overall line of .266/.349/.382/.731.
Defensively, Rodriguez played exclusively in right field and flashed one of the team’s better gloves. The rookie was charged with only one error in 47 games, making 83 putouts and five assists for a .989 fielding percentage. His 1.87 range factor was well below either center fielder Hansel Otamendi’s 2.39 or I-play-all-three-fields Darlin Moquete’s 2.44.
Up, Up and Away
There were two promotions from the Blue during the 2019 season, both pitchers who were in their second year of pro ball. Luis Ortiz was the first to fly the coop, promoted after three games, two starts, in which he went 0-1 with a 1.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings. The right-hander needed to keep his bags packed as he tossed just 21 innings, five games, three starts, for the GCL Cardinals before finishing the year with the Johnson City Cardinals, where Ortiz pitched 24 1/3 frames over seven games, six starts.
Reliever Luis Tena spent the majority of his 2019 season with the Cardinals Blue, compiling a 2.52 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 25 innings over 14 games, one start. The 19-year-old was promoted to the GCL Cardinals on July 22nd, a day after Ortiz was bumped up to Johnson City from the GCL squad. Tena came out of the bullpen 10 times for the GCL Cardinals, covering 19 2/3 innings.
Conclusion
The Cardinals Blue was a team balanced in offense and pitching. While the offense generally put up better numbers compared to the rest of the league, the rotation contained three starters with an ERA under 3.00. All three contended for Starting Pitcher of the Year. Ultimately, shaky defense turned out to be the squad’s downfall with unearned runs deciding a crucial late-season contest that ended their post-season aspirations.
For more
Link to master article with all 2019 award winners, team recaps and article schedules for the remainder of this series. Next up will be our Gulf Coast League Cardinals Team Review.
In its second season, the newest of the two St. Louis Cardinals’ entries in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League, the Cardinals Red, was young and as a result, took until August to fully gel.
Overall
The Dominican Summer League (DSL) is at the Rookie level within baseball’s minor league structure. The league is a gateway into affiliated professional baseball for players who are not eligible for Major League Baseball’s annual June First-Year Player Draft. The lack of eligibility is mainly due to not meeting the residency requirement.
The DSL is comprised of 45 teams split among six divisions with the Cardinals Red assigned to the eight-team San Pedro Division. The San Pedro Division is one of three containing eight teams with one division having nine squads and two divisions have six teams each. All teams play exclusively within their own division, to minimize travel.
Cardinals Dominican Academy (St. Louis Cardinals)
After 13 seasons with one team in the league, St. Louis expanded to two squads for the 2018 season, enabling them to double the number of players assigned. The original team became the Cardinals Blue and a second team was created, the Cardinals Red, which play in the eight-team San Pedro Division. Both teams share the Baseball Oasis facility with one team usually home while the other is on the road.
The 2019 season began on June 1st and ran through August 24th with a maximum of 72 games scheduled. The Cardinals Red was one of 14 teams to play 71 games, so comparisons of the team’s raw numbers versus the league will be addressed in this article.
Team
38 players were part of the Cardinals Red team in 2019 with eight – four position and four pitching – also seeing action on the Cardinals Blue. For the purposes of this article, the stats of those eight remain in the cumulative team totals in which they were generated. However, each of the eight player’s stats and prior experience was counted against the team for which they played the most, both when analyzing individual ages and experience (see below) and consideration for year-end awards.
The team averaged 17.6 years of age, just a bit younger than both the league average of 17.7 and the Cardinals Blue’s 17.8 average. While over 68% hail from the Dominican Republic, 26% come from Venezuela with Mexico, Cuba and Columbia represented as well. When it comes to experience, the squad had 20 rookies versus 12 players with one year of experience and two with two pro seasons.
Blending the age and prior experience components, with ages marked as of the start of the 2019 season on June 1, the 20 rookies were a mix of two 16-year-olds, 14 17-year-olds, three 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old. For ages of players who played pro ball for one year prior to 2019, three were 17 on Opening Day, six were 18, one was 19 and two were 20. The two two-year veterans were 19.
The Season
The Cardinals Red took a fairly young and inexperienced group into the 2019 season and their performance reflected it. The team got off to a fantastic start, winning their first four games only to finish June with a 9-16 mark. It was more of the same in July, when the C Red went 9-17, but everything seemed to click as July rolled into August, when the squad went 14-6 to finish the season. Their 32-39 record overall placed them sixth in the San Pedro Division, 12 ½ games behind the Diamondbacks2.
If there was a famous phrase that portrayed the Cardinals Red’s home-road splits it would be ‘There’s No Place Like Home’, as the team went 18-17 at home but just 14-22 on the road. Their longest winning streak was a seven-game span from August 15th through 23rd. That was the first time the team won more than three straight since the above-referenced four-game winning streak at season’s start. The Cardinals Red’s longest slide was an eight-game losing skid from July 20th through 27th.
While the C Red generated a mere .451 winning percentage, down from .563 the year before, they were competitive in most of their contests. 69% of the squad’s 39 losses were by three runs or less with 56% of the losses decided by two or fewer tallies. The Cardinals Red went 9-12 in games decided by one run, 4-10 in two-run contests, 4-5 for those decided by three runs and 16-12 in games determined by four or more tallies. By the time the calendar turned to August the team had figured out how to win those close ones, going 9-3 games decided by three or fewer runs and 6-3 in the blowouts.
Pitching
21 hurlers took the mound, including two southpaws, one starter and one reliever, both rookies. The average age of the staff was 17.7 years old, which tied them for second youngest staff in the league with Colorado. That was well under the league average of 18.3 years.
In comparison, the Blue Jays had the league’s youngest staff at 17.6 years of age while the Cubs2’s pitchers averaged 19.5 years, which placed them as the oldest. Contrasting the average age of this year’s staff to last, the 2018 Cardinals Red staff also averaged 17.7 years old, which was the league’s youngest staff last season.
The young C Red staff had a six-man rotation made up of five rookies and a one-year veteran. Five of the six are right-handed, with 18-year-old Diorys Guerrero the only lefty. Overall, the pitching staff compiled a 4.46 team Earned Run Average (ERA) and 1.565 Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched (WHIP), which put them 29th in ERA and 39th in WHIP as compared to their counterparts on other squads. The C Red staff was in the lower tier in Hits Per 9 Innings (9.0), Strikeouts Per Nine innings (7.9) and Walks Per 9 Innings (5.1), tied for 33rd, 32nd and 31st, respectively. They had a Strikeout-to-Walk ratio of 1.56:1, 35th in the league.
Offense
The average age of Cardinals Red hitters was 17.7, which was the league average and in a four-way tie for 17th along with the Angels, Indians and Braves. That puts them a tad older than the 2018 average of 17.6. The Padres claimed the youngest group at 17.1, and on the other end of the age spectrum, both the White Sox and Rays2 had hitters averaging 18.4 years old.
This offense put runs on the board to the tune of 6.08 per game on average, good for ninth in the league. Of the eight teams above them, just three had a younger average age.
The 2019 Cardinals Red offense was absolutely superb at working the free pass, drawing 415 walks, which was just three off the league lead. Not surprisingly, their On-Base Percentage (OBP) of .376 was fifth, the ranking brought down by their Batting Average.
Another aspect of the game in which the Cardinals Red did well was on the base paths. The team was sixth in stolen bases with 133 but were caught only 40 times, giving them a 76.9% success rate. That was the second best success rate in the league.
Overall, the Cardinals Red slashed .256/.376/.356/.731 for the season. Their Batting Average put them in a three-way tie for 14th, just outside of the top 25%. The team’s Slugging percentage was 18th while the OPS was 10th, the latter driven by the excellent OBP.
Like their C Blue counterparts, the C Red had difficulty making contact, striking out 632 times in 2,369 at bats or once every 3.75 at bats. Only four teams whiffed more than did the C Red.
Defense
The Cardinals Red was tied with the Reds for 24th in the league with a .952 fielding percentage. In comparison, the league’s top defensive team was Rangers1 with a .971 fielding percentage and the worst was the Angels’ .938.
Two individuals who did field their positions well were the first base tandem of Luis Andujar and Alexander Samuel, who generated .994 and .985 fielding percentages, respectively. Both 19-year-olds were experienced players, Andujar having played in 2018 and Samuel in 2017 as well as last season.
Catching duties were shared primarily by two players who came to the 2019 season with similarities but also key differences: Jesus Orecchia and Roblin Heredia. Although both players were signed out of Venezuela, Orecchia tops Heredia in age, prior experience and 2019 playing time. The former is the elder by 15 months, having turned 18 in April, with a year’s work experience under his belt and caught 11 more games than the latter, 34 to 23. The two had similar fielding percentages, .980 for Orecchia to Heredia’s .975, but Heredia compiled a far superior caught stealing rate, nailing 24 of 57 who tried to steal, 42%, against Orecchia’s 28 of 90, 31%.
Team backstops had a cumulative caught stealing rate of 31%, 18th in the league, along with three other teams. The team nailed 60 base runners with 134 runners successful. A comparison of the C Red caught stealing percentage versus the other seven teams in their division puts the C Red in the middle of the pack, fourth.
The All-Stars
The 2019 Dominican Summer League All-Star Game took place on Sunday, July 14th with the Cardinals Red sending two representatives: outfielder Diowill Burgos and right-handed pitcher Angel Cuenca. That brought the St Louis organization’s participation in the game to three overall, as Burgos and Cuenca were joined by Cardinals Blue outfielder Gustavo A. Rodriguez. That number matched the 2018 All-Star total, when the Red also sent two players to the higher-performing Blue’s one.
The 2019 performances of Burgos and Cuenca will be discussed in the applicable DSL Pitcher and Player of the Year articles to come.
Conclusion
The Cardinals Red was a team propelled by their offense with the pitching lagging behind. 59% of their roster got their first taste of pro ball, compared to 45% for the Cardinals Blue, and the inexperience showed in their results. But their excellent .700 winning percentage in August provides a positive foundation on which the players can build in 2019.
For more
Link to master article with all 2019 award winners, team recaps and article schedules for the remainder of this series. Next up will be our Dominican Summer League Blue Team Review.
A 13-hit onslaught carried Johnson City (2-1) to an 8-6 road victory over Burlington (1-2) (KC), making the JC-Cards the 2019 Appalachian League Champions. The championship is the second in four years for Johnson City and fifth in the last decade.
As in Tuesday’s win, the visitors displayed a balanced offense featuring eight players with at least one hit and five garnering two hits each: Malcom Nunez, Jhon Torres, Todd Lott, Aaron Antonini and Mateo Gil. Nunez did the most damage with his two singles, scoring once and driving in three in five at bats.
Torres and Lott both went 2-for-4 and touched home twice, with Torres working a free pass while doubling and driving in one and Lott reaching base once on a hit by pitch. Antonini singled twice in three at bats with a walk and RBI while Gil singled and doubled in five at bats with a run scored.
Malcom Nunez (Robert Kell)
Defensively, the team nearly sabotaged themselves by committing five errors resulting in four unearned runs. Catcher Antonini and first baseman Lott each bobbled once while shortstop Gil was charged with two miscues.
Starter Jake Sommers committed the final error during his three-inning stint. The Wisconsin native, St. Louis’ 10th-round selection in the June 2019 First-Year Player Draft, allowed five tallies, one earned, while giving up three hits and a walk. Four of the five runs charged to the righty came in his final inning of work.
A trio of Johnson City relievers held the Royals to a single score over the final six frames. Will Guay (W, 1-0) fanned four in 3 1/3 innings, permitting a solo shot that was one of three hits yielded. Walker Robbins retired both batters faced, stranding an inherited runner, and Dylan Pearce walked one over the final two innings for his first save.
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
With their backs against the wall, Johnson City came through with a convincing win in Game 2 of the Appalachian League Championship Series. Hector Soto’s mound effort and a balanced offensive attack were key. The deciding game is tonight.
Results from the game played Tuesday, September 3rd.
Hector Soto’s strong start led Johnson City (1-1) to a 7-2 victory at Burlington to even the best-of three Appalachian League Championship series at one game each.
Soto’s first postseason start and win consisted of 5 2/3 frames of three-hit ball in which the 20-year-old struck out six and issued two free passes. The effort came after the right-hander pitched in relief during the Appy Birds’ division-clinching victory on Friday. Soto threw 86 pitches on Tuesday, 54 for strikes, with four ground- and three fly- ball outs.
The native of Mexico handed a 5-0 lead over to John Witkowski, who stranded Soto’s final runner. Witkowski pitched the game’s balance, permitting two runs in the eighth on three of the four hits yielded in 3 1/3 innings.
Jhon Torres (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The offense pounced on Royals’ starter Noah Murdock (L, 0-1) for four runs in the first, Murdock’s only inning of work. Jhon Torres smashed a two-run double scoring Chandler Redmond (hit by pitch) and Todd Lott (single), his only hit in five at bats. After a walk to Malcom Nunez followed by a wild pitch that advanced both runners, Carlos Soler singled up the middle to bring in Torres and Nunez.
The visitors added a fourth-inning tally when Lott’s two-out single drove in Aaron Antonini (single). Nunez capped the scoring with a two-run home run in the seventh that scored Torres (force).
Eight of nine starters in Johnson City’s balanced offense reached base via a hit or walk and five scored and/or drive in a run. Lott garnered three of his team’s eight hits, going 3-for-5 with a run scored and RBI. The only other JC-Card with a multi-hit effort was Soler, who singled and doubled in four at bats, knocking in two. Defensively, right fielder Soler was credited with an outfield assist at second.
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-2, led by Johnson City’s first-round playoff victory. Player of the Day Chandler Redmond plated four for the finals-bound Appy Birds.
The Redbirds’ ninth-inning rally fell short as they were clipped by the Cubs, 6-5. Memphis (69-70) will try for a split of the four-game series and end 2019 at .500 in their 2019 finale on Monday.
Third baseman Max Schrock had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a base-on-balls while Randy Arozarena, Edmundo Sosa and Adolis Garcia each had two of the team’s 11 hits. Garcia and John Nogowski both went yard, generating a solo shot and two-run home run accounting for all of their squad’s tallies through eight. The long ball was Garcia’s 32nd of the season which places the outfielder seventh in the Pacific Coast League.
Jake Woodford’s (L, 9-8) 2019 campaign ended on a sour note with the right-hander yielding six runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings. The Florida native struck out eight. Connor Jones retired all six batters faced in his first Triple-A appearance in 2019.
Monday’s game: at Iowa (74-65) (CHC), 12:08 pm CT, Chris Ellis (5-5, 6.87)
The S-Cards managed just three hits in their 4-0 home shutout loss to Midland. Springfield (30-39) has lost the first three of the four-game series, which concludes with the season finale on Monday.
Angel Rondon (L, 6-6) finished an impressive 2019 season by striking out six over three innings. The only mark against the righty was one tally resulting from four hits and two walks yielded.
In his last rehab appearance, and apparently last outing of 2019, Austin Gomber tossed a clean fourth. The southpaw recorded a 5-3 ground out before issuing a free pass. After the runner stole second Gomber answered by picking him off for the inning’s second out. A swinging K ended the inning.
All three runs charged to Patrick Dayton in his Springfield debut came in one frame, as the lefty gave up four hits. Mitchell Osnowitz allowed two hits in the ninth.
The team’s three hits were divided between two players: Chris Chinea and Juan Yepez. Chinea singled twice in four at bats as the clean-up hitter while Yepez went 1-for-3.
Monday’s game: vs. Midland (38-31) (OAK), 12:15 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (7-7, 5.30)
Delvin Perez tripled and scored the winning tally in the ninth as the Chiefs edged the LumberKings, 2-1, evening the road series at one game apiece with the finale to go. The victory by Peoria (24-45) halted Clinton’s seven-game winning streak and dropped them a game behind first-place Kane County (ARI) with whom they are battling for home field advantage in the play-offs.
Perez was Peoria’s offensive star, garnering half of his team’s four hits and scoring both runs. The shortstop singled in the first, stole his 22nd base of 2019 and scored when Brendan Donovan lined a single up the middle. The offense was somnambulant until the ninth, when the 20-year-old tripled to right with one gone. After an intentional free pass to Donovan, Leandro Cedeno lifted one deep enough to right to sacrifice Perez across home.
A trio of Chiefs hurlers combined to hold Clinton to an unearned tally. Logan Gragg shut out his opponents on four hits through the first five innings, followed by Franyel Casadilla (W, 6-4) (BS, 2). Casadilla allowed a run on two hits and a walk over three frames, with the score unearned due to a fielding error by second baseman Donovan. Evan Sisk used three groundball outs to tiptoe around a lead-off double for his fifth save.
Monday’s game: at Clinton (44-25) (MIA), 2:00 pm CT, Parker Kelly (3-5, 3.97)
The Spikes used six eighth-inning scores to put away the Crosscutters, 11-1, evening the away-home-away series at one game each. It was the final home game of the season for State College (39-36).
The home team banged out 11 hits, led by two Spikes with three hits apiece: David Vinsky and Stanley Espinal. Vinsky went 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two driven in while Espinal went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Terry Fuller blasted his fourth home run, a two-run shot that was his only hit in three at bats. The right fielder reached base three times, working two walks and touching home twice. Dariel Gomez doubled twice in five at bats, crossing home once.
Adrian Mardueno navigated around four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 frames, holding Williamsport to a run. Hector Villalobos (W, 4-1) scattered three hits and two free passes over 2 2/3 innings, stranding two inherited runners. Jack Ralston allowed a hit and two walks during his two-inning stint.
Monday’s game: at Williamsport (32-42) (PHI), 1:05 pm ET, Junior Gonzalez (3-6, 7.13)
Chandler Redmond drove in four as the JC-Cards topped the Pirates, 7-5, in the decisive third game of the semi-final series. Johnson City hosts Burlington (KC), the East Division wild card, in Game 1 of the best-of-three Appalachian League Championship series, which has been moved up to Monday from Tuesday due to inclement weather concerns. The Royals will host games two and three, the latter if needed, because they hold the better regular season record.
The game was a back-and-forth affair with Johnson City getting on the board first with a three-run fourth. But Bristol answered with four the next inning, with the first two tallies coming off starter Jose Moreno, who did not finish the frame.
The Appy Birds claimed their second lead on a two-run long ball by Redmond but the Pirates tied it up at 5-5 by the seventh’s midpoint. A two-run double by Malcom Nunez in the home half of the inning put Johnson City up for good.
Player of the Day Redmond was one of seven Appy Birds to either score or drive in at least one run, making the victory truly a team affair. The first baseman reached base three times, going 2-for-3 with a base-on-balls and two-run long ball comprising his run scored and two of his four knocked in.
Malcom Nunez (Robert Kell)
Three of his teammates also garnered two of the team’s nine hits: Nunez, Mateo Gil and Aaron Antonini. Nunez’ double plated Gil (double) and Jhon Torres (hit-by-pitch), giving the third baseman two RBIs to go with a run scored in four at bats. Gil went 2-for-3 with a walk, double and run scored while Antonini singled and doubled in four at bats, crossing home twice.
Moreno held the Pirates scoreless on four hits and a walk through his first four frames but got the hook after permitting a single and walk along with two wild pitches. The Appy Birds turned the ball over to their ace, Hector Soto, pitching on three days rest, but the gamble did not pay off.
Soto was tagged for a double, scoring Moreno’s two runners, a two-run bomb, then a single and walk. The righty escaped when the trailing runner of an attempted double steal was nailed at second.
Dylan Pearce (W, 1-0) quieted things down a bit over the next three innings, permitting an unearned run along with three hits and a walk. But Walker Robbins undoubtedly gave the home crowd agita after giving up a one-out single before putting the potential tying run on via a hit batsman. Tyler Peck ended the game quickly by inducing a 5-3 double play for his first post-season save.
Monday’s game: vs. Burlington, 6:30 p.m. ET, Julio Puello
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 4-2. Player of the Day Rayder Ascanio went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in Springfield’s win. Memphis and Peoria had late wins and Palm Beach’s Griffin Roberts and State College’s Enmanuel Solano made strong starts.
Ramon Urias’ home run broke a ninth-inning tie, sending the Redbirds to an 8-5 comeback victory at New Orleans (70-64) (MIA). Second-place Memphis (68-68) took three of the four-game set and head to first-place Iowa (CHC) for the final four games of the season. The Redbirds trail the Cubs by four in the American Northern Division standings with an elimination number of one, meaning they must sweep in Des Moines to win the division.
Urias’ long ball scored pinch-hitter Jose Godoy, who had worked a free pass to begin the ninth. Edmundo Sosa provided the final margin of victory with his 17th bomb of 2019 later that frame. Those blasts were two of six home runs hit by the Redbirds, along with solo shots by Randy Arozarena, Max Schrock and Dylan Carlson plus a two-run long ball by Justin Williams.
Williams and Sosa were the only Memphis players with a multi-hit performance, with both players going 2-for-5. Williams added another RBI and Sosa touched home twice. Andrew Knizner reached base three times, singling plus two walks. Memphis had 11 hits in all.
Austin Warner surrendered a long ball as well during his five innings on the mound, a solo shot that was one of five runs yielded, four earned, on seven hits and two walks. Kodi Whitley struck out four over two clean frames before Junior Fernandez (W, 2-1) and Mike Mayers (S, 6) pitched an inning each and negotiated around two hits with Mayers fanning three.
The S-Cards outlasted the Rough Riders in the finale, 13-9, for a split of the four-game set. Springfield (30-36) finishes up their 2019 season with four contests versus Midland (OAK), a club still contending for a play-off slot in the South Division.
The offense exploded for 18 hits, led by Player of the Day Rayder Ascanio who went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two knocked in at the top of the order. Connor Capel joined rehabbing Jose Martinez with three hits apiece, with Capel touching home three times in five at bats with a stolen base and Martinez drove in one before being replaced by a pinch runner in the sixth.
Juan Yepez went 2-for-4 with a base-on-balls, crossed home twice and knocked in two. Brian O’Keefe and Johan Mieses each went yard with a runner aboard.
Austin Gomber continued his rehab with two scoreless frames to start the game. The lefty threw 15 of his 22 pitches for strikes while facing the minimum number of Rough Riders (32-33) (TEX).
Regular starter Alex FaGalde (W, 4-5) picked up the victory despite another rough outing, permitting three long balls representing six of the seven runs allowed on eight hits and two walks over five innings. Michael Osnowitz was charged with two tallies on four hits over the final two frames.
Palm Beach (22-44) fell at Bradenton, 5-2, in what turned out to be the season finale. The Florida State League has cancelled the last three games of the regular season due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Dorian.
The game was knotted at 1-1 at the seventh’s midpoint but the Marauders (37-32) pounced on reliever Michael Baird for four tallies, three earned, in the bottom of the frame, his second inning of work. Griffin Roberts struck out six over the initial five innings, giving up a run on five hits and a free pass. Ben Yokley tossed a one-two-three eighth.
The offense was confined mainly to the top of the order, the first three batters contributing six of the team’s eight hits. Nick Dunn, Michael Perri and Nolan Gorman each had two hits, with Gorman’s double the only hit to go for extra bases. Dun and Gorman both touched home, both driven in by Luken Baker, who singled once in two at bats with a walk and sac fly.
The Chiefs walked off with a 5-4 win over the Snappers on Thursday, clinching the three-game home series with one game to go. After finishing up with Beloit, Peoria (25-41) travels to Clinton, a club that is deadlocked with Kane County (ARI) atop the West Division standings.
The key blow was provided by Jonatan Machado, who singled in pinch runner Josh Shaw from second, snapping a 4-4 tie. The ninth began with Leandro Cedeno reaching via a hit-by-pitch and advancing to third on Brandon Riley’s double.
Alexis Wilson reached on a fielder’s choice with Cedeno out at the plate, but Wadye Infante came through with an RBI single to right, scoring Riley and knotting the game at four all. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Wilson was erased from the base paths after trying to stretch for third, at which point the game log indicates an injury delay and Shaw pinch ran for Infante.
Peoria generated 10 hits with Machado, Cedeno and Riley garnering two hits each. All three players doubled with both of Cedeno’s hits being two-baggers. It was a mixed bag on the base paths, with Infante and Delvin Perez each stealing a base but Riley and Brendan Donovan both caught stealing.
Dalton Roach completed his 2019 season with seven strong frames in which the 23-year-old allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks. All three tallies occurred in Roach’s final inning, leaving Peoria trailing 3-2 after seven.
Connor Coward recorded two outs, yielding a run on a hit, base-on-balls and hit batsman. But Evan Sisk (W, 3-6) limited the damage by retiring all four batters faced, stranding two inherited runners.
Friday’s game: vs. Beloit (26-40) (OAK), 6:35 pm CT, Colin Schmid (6-6, 4.63)
The Spikes’ offense and pitching came together for an 8-1 road win at Mahoning Valley, evening the series at one game each with one on tap. The victory moved third-place State College (37-35) to two games behind Batavia (MIA), which lost on Thursday, and kept pace with second-place West Virginia (PIT), which trail the Muckdogs by a half game in the Pinckney Division standings. The Spikes have an elimination number of three with four games to go.
Dariel Gomez and Stanley Espinal led their squad’s 14-hit attack, both going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, with Gomez driving in two on a two-run home run and Espinal doubling. Luis Flores connected for a three-run bomb, one of his two hits in five at bats and a portion of his two runs scored and four RBIs. Pedro Pages reached base three times, going 2-for-4 with a walk and touching home once.
Three State College pitchers produced stellar efforts, starting with Enmanuel Solano (W, 4-7) who limited his opponents to a tally on four hits over six innings. Connor Lunn blanked the Scrappers during his two-inning stint while Jack Ralston pitched a one-two-three ninth.
Friday’s game: at fourth-place Mahoning Valley (35-36) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, Scott Politz (3-3, 4.64)
Johnson City – off
Fresh off their West Division Championship-clinching performance on Wednesday, Johnson City prepares for their best-of-three semi-final series versus Bristol (PIT). As the West Division’s top seed, the JC-Cards have hold field advantage, hosting games two and three (if necessary) while Bristol hosts the series opener. The two division rivals met nine times during the regular season, with Johnson City winning four of the nine contests.
Friday’s game: at Bristol (0-0) (PIT), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, Jake Sommers (0-0, —) regular season – (2-3. 4.18)
The Gulf Birds’ late rally was not enough to prevent a 6-5 walk-off loss to the GCL Mets (30-24). The GCL Cardinals (20-34) ended their 2019 campaign on an eight-game losing streak. The final two contests of the season have been cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian.
Roy Garcia (L, 2-5) retired only one of four batters faced, yielding a run on a hit and two walks, one intentional. That out came on a sac bunt by the pitcher.
Inohan Paniagua gave up seven hits and a base-on-balls over 4 2/3 innings, resulting in five runs. The righty fanned six. With no future games to play, regular starter Ludwin Jimenez followed Paniagua to the mound and scattered four hits and two walks over 3 1/3, allowing an inherited runner to score.
Down 5-2 after six, the visitors scored three times over the next two innings, pulling even after eight frames. Ramon Mendoza had three of his team’s nine hits, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Cristhian Longa and Pablo Gomez had two hits apiece, with Longa crossing home and Gomez doubling with two RBIs, one on a sac fly.
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 2-6, with Johnson City able to make the playoffs with another win Wednesday. JC’s Liam Sabino had three hits and plated two and Hector Soto spun five scoreless innings in Tuesday’s victory.
The Redbirds split a pair of one-run contests at New Orleans, claiming the opener, 3-2, but falling in the finale, 5-4. The loss halted a seven-game winning streak for second-place Memphis (66-68), which has an elimination number of two.
In Game 1, the only mark on Jake Woodford (W, 9-7) during his five innings was a solo home run that was one of two hits and two walks yielded. Kodi Whitley worked around two hits for a clean sixth but Mike Mayers (S, 5) was charged with a tally on two hits and a walk.
Memphis’ six hits were divvied up among four players. John Nogowski and Ramon Urias had two hits apiece, with Nogowski going 2-for-2 with a walk, run scored and one knocked in while Urias singled and doubled in three at bats. Justin Williams’ solo long ball was his only hit in three at bats although the right fielder did work a free pass. Randy Arozarena doubled in four at bats, touching home once.
Randy Arozarena (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)
A late rally by the Redbirds could not prevent a walk-off loss in the nightcap. The visitors tied the game up at three all via Arozarena’s three-run bomb in the final inning but Junior Fernandez could not hold the tie. Fernandez (L, 1-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits with two outs recorded. The righty allowed two inherited runners score.
In a bullpen start, Seth Elledge shut out the Baby Cakes on two hits over the initial four innings, handing off a scoreless game to Jesus Cruz. But Cruz yielded three runs on three hits and a base-on-balls over 1 2/3 frames. One of the three hits was a solo blast.
Arozarena took part in all four of his team’s tallies, going 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and three driven in. Edmundo Sosa and Joe Hudson each went 2-for-3, Sosa doubling once with an RBI.
Wednesday’s game: at New Orleans (70-62) (MIA). 6:30 pm CT, Chris Ellis (4-5, 7.10)
Not even the participation of two major leaguers in the starting lineup could keep the S-Cards’ losing slide from reaching five straight as the home team fell to the Rough Riders, 5-2. Springfield (28-36) has lost the first two games of the four-game series and has been eliminated from post-season contention.
St. Louis outfielders Tyler O’Neill and Jose Martinez continued their rehab assignments with positive results. Right fielder O’Neill provided most of Springfield’s production, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run comprising one of his two runs scored. Martinez reached base three times as the designated hitter, singling in two at bats with two free passes. The only other S-Card with more than one of the team’s eight hits was Elehuris Montero, who singled twice in four at bats with an RBI.
Jorge Rondon (L, 6-5) took the loss despite tossing six strong frames. The right-hander struck out seven and gave up two runs on four hits and two walks.
Will Latcham and Ronnie Williams each retired three batters but were scored upon, with Latcham yielding two runs on three hits and Williams a run on two hits. Jacob Patterson navigated around a hit and two walks.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Frisco (32-31) (TEX), 6:30 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (6-7. 5.68)
Palm Beach (21-43) was pounded by Bradenton for the second night in a row, this time losing 9-0. Two of the four-game series have yet to be played.
Beach Birds hurlers fell prey to the long ball with four home runs served up. Four of the six runs, five earned, charged to Kyle Leahy (L, 1-5) over six innings resulted from two bombs that were part of the nine hits and two walks permitted.
All three runs charged to Patrick Dayton in 2/3 of an inning were generated by two home runs, two of his four hits yielded. Ramon Santos left Dayton’s last runner on base and allowed a hit with four outs recorded.
Offense was in short supply as the visitors had just three hits, two by catcher Ivan Herrera, who singled twice in three at bats.
The Chiefs (21-43) suffered a 4-3 walk-off defeat at Cedar Rapids (34-30) on Tuesday for a split of the four-game series.
Sebastian Tabata was charged with the loss, his fourth against three wins, giving up a run on two hits and a free pass with one batter retired. Starter Logan Gragg struck out six over the first four frames, permitting a solo blast comprising one of his four hits and a walk.
Wilfredo Pereira retired six batters but was tagged for two runs on two hits and three free passes. Freddy Pacheco faced the minimum during his two-inning stint before giving way to Tabata.
Delvin Perez led Peoria’s 10-hit effort, going 3-for-5 with a double and run scored. The only other Chief with more than one hit was Brady Whalen, who singled twice in five at bats. Brendan Donovan reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Beloit (26-38) (OAK), 6:35 pm CT, Parker Kelly (3-5, 4.30)
The third-place Spikes fell to the second-place Black Bears, 6-3, in 10, but claimed the series, two games to one. State College (36-34) is two games behind Batavia (MIA), which leads West Viriginia (37-32) by a half-game in the Pinckney Division standings.
Eric Lex took the loss, his third in as many decisions, after yielding three runs, two earned, on two hits over 1 2/3 frames. Fabian Blanco retired all three batters faced, joining Lex in stranding an inherited runner.
Adrian Mardueno tossed the initial five innings, permitting three tallies on six hits and two walks. Jacob Schlesener bridged the 2 1/3-inning span between Mardueno and Lex, yielding a hit and two free passes.
The Spikes managed just six hits, two by Luis Flores, who singled twice in four at bats at the bottom of the order. Shane Benes doubled in three at bats, the only hit to go for extra bases while Terry Fuller went 1-for-4 with a walk, run scored and RBI.
Wednesday’s game: at fourth-place Mahoning Valley (34-35) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, Junior Gonzalez (3-5, 7.68)
The JC-Cards came through with a crucial 9-4 road win at Kingsport as they regained control of their post-season destiny. Although Johnson City (34-33) and the Mets are tied atop the West Division standings, the Appy Birds hold the tiebreaker and can clinch the division title with a victory on Wednesday in the regular season finale. But four West Division squads are still contending for two play-off slots, including Bristol (PIT) and Elizabethton (MIN) who are both a half game off the lead. If JC loses, they need both of the aforementioned clubs to also lose Wednesday to get in via the back door.
Johnson City’s bats led the way Tuesday, scoring seven times in the first three innings. The 11-hit attack was spearheaded by Liam Sabino and Diomedes Del Rio, who mustered three hits each and combined for five runs. Sabino went 3-for-5 with a double, run scored and two knocked in while Del Rio went 3-for-4 with a double and crossed home twice. Five Appy Birds had one hit apiece.
Hector Soto (W, 1-1) turned in five impressive innings of shutout ball, striking out five with two hits yielded. The 20-year-old had five ground- and five fly- ball outs.
But Luis Ortiz retired only one batter, surrendering three runs, two earned, on two hits and a walk. Walker Robbins stranded Ortiz’ last runner but was charged with an unearned run with a hit and walk yielded in 1 1/3 innings. John Witkowski retired all seven batters faced, stranding two inherited runners, for his fourth save.
On Tuesday, the GCL Cardinals (20-32) were topped by the GCL Marlins (28-21), 7-3, their sixth straight loss.
Francis Ventura (L, 2-1) turned in a solid effort, yielding two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks through five innings. Wilman Madera essentially put the game out of reach by giving up five runs, three earned, on four hits, including a two-run long ball. Anthony Trompiz allowed a hit and free pass over 2 2/3 and let both inherited runners score.
The offense was limited to four hits, two by Patrick Romeri, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and two-run home run. The right fielder touched home twice with two RBIs.
Wednesday’s game: at GCL Nationals (25-23), 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, TBA
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-2. Peoria and State College won with final inning comebacks and Memphis’ big bats kept on hitting. Player of the Day Brandon Purcell’s two-run double tied the game for the Spikes. Johnson City’s loss knocked them out of first place.
The Redbirds trounced the Storm Chasers, 9-2, sweeping the three-game series and extending their winning streak to six. Second-place Memphis (65-67) has climbed to five games back of Iowa (CHC), who lost Sunday, but have an elimination number of four. If Memphis can stay in contention, the regular season-ending four-game series at Iowa next weekend would matter.
Long ball was the name of the game Sunday with the Redbirds launching four, accounting for six tallies. Adolis Garcia went yard twice in four at bats with three RBIs. The right fielder was joined by Rangel Ravelo, who paced his team’s 13-hit attack, going 3-for-5 with a double and two-run bomb that was part of his two runs scored and three driven in.
Justin Williams also had a solo shot leave the park, one of the designated hitter’s two hits in three at bats to go with a walk, run scored and RBI. The final Redbird with more than one hit was Randy Arozarena, who singled twice in five at bats, and crossed home once.
The home team’s hurlers were clicking as well, holding fourth-place Omaha (55-76) to just four hits. Daniel Ponce de Leon (W, 8-4) gave up all four during his five inning-stint, yielding four free passes resulting in two tallies, one of them via a solo blast.
Junior Fernandez followed Ponce de Leon to the mound and recorded six outs, including three strikeouts. Zac Rosscup walked one in the eighth before Chasen Shreve fanned the side in the ninth.
Monday’s game: at New Orleans (69-61) (MIA), 6:30 pm CT, Jake Woodford (8-7, 4.03)
The S-Cards were downed by the RockHounds, 7-2, and were the victims of a three-game sweep. It was the final road game of the season for third-place Springfield (28-34), two away from being eliminated in the North Division.
Tommy Parsons (L, 4-6) was bitten by the bomb, surrendering three home runs comprising four of the six runs yielded on eight hits and two walks over six frames. Bryan Dobzanski tossed the seventh, issuing a free pass, but Midland (33-29) (OAK) tagged Connor Jones for a run on three hits and a base-on-balls in the eighth.
The offense generated eight hits with three for extra bases but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Johan Mieses accounted for two of the extra-base hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and solo home run that was one of his two runs scored. The only other player with more than one hit was Elehuris Montero, who singled twice in four at bats.
Sunday’s series finale between Palm Beach (21-41) and Fort Myers (34-28) at Roger Dean could not be played due to inclement weather. Since the game has no bearing on the South Division postseason, which has already been determined, the contest will not be rescheduled.
Monday’s game: at Bradenton (34-31) (PIT), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, Edgar Gonzalez (6-14, 4.94)
A huge ninth-inning rally vaulted the Chiefs past the Kernels, 9-5, evening the series at one game each with two yet to play. Peoria (20-42) has been reduced to the spoiler role in the West Division with one week to go.
The Chiefs were shut out through eight frames but greeted Cedar Rapids’ new reliever in the ninth with a single-walk-single to load the bases for Jonatan Machado. Machado plated Leandro Cedeno and Brandon Riley with a double to right, bringing in a fresh hurler. That pitcher hit both Edwin Figuera and Brady Whalen, the latter forcing across Josh Shaw, who singled ahead of Machado.
Brendan Donovan strode to the plate with the sacks re-jammed and singled home Machado, bringing Peoria within one. A wild pitch scored Figuera and triggered an intentional free pass to Imeldo Diaz. After a swinging K, Cedeno came back up to the plate and lifted one deep enough to score Whalen for a 6-5 lead. Riley poured it on with a two-run double, scoring Donovan and Diaz, before Shaw finished the scoring with a single to left that brought Riley across.
Riley spearheaded his squad’s offense, going 3-for-4 with a walk, double, two runs scored and two knocked in. Donovan, Cedeno and Shaw all went 2-for-4 with run scored and RBI, and Donovan and Shaw both worked a free pass. Peoria banged out 12 hits in all.
Connor Coward shut out the opposition in the eighth and received his first full-season victory. But the right-hander was pulled the following frame after loading the bases on a walk, single and hit batsman with one gone. Evan Sisk got his first batter to hit into a 4-6-3 double play for his fourth save.
Coward and Sick pitched in relief of Colin Schmid, who allowed five runs on six hits and two base-on-balls over 5 1/3 innings. Two of the five runs were generated by one home run. Sebastian Tabata retired five batters, striking out three, and stranding an inherited runner.
Monday’s game: at fifth-place Cedar Rapids (33-29) (MIN), 6:35 pm CT, Michael Brettell (5-9, 5.19)
A ninth-inning rally gave the Spikes a 4-3 walk-off victory over the second-place Black Bears in the series opener. Third-place State College (35-33) gained on first-place Batavia (MIA), whom they trail by two games in the Pinckney Division standings with eight games remaining.
With State College down 3-1 with three outs to go, Pedro Pages led off with a ground-rule double, advancing to third on Stanley Espinal’s line-drive single up the middle. Dariel Gomez worked a base-on-balls, jamming the sacks for Brandon Purcell. Purcell came through with a two-run double, which knotted the game at 3-3 and elicited an intentional walk to Brylie Ware. David Vinsky’s single to short scored pinch runner Shane Benes.
The Spikes garnered eight hits, with Pages going 3-for-4 with a double and home run, two runs scored and one knocked in. The designated hitter was the only State College player with a multi-hit performance.
Three of the six hits given up by Scott Politz during his eight innings on the bump occurred in the second, accounting for all three tallies charged to the Yale product. Politz has gone at least seven innings in three of his last four starts, during which time he has allowed just four runs, three earned. Fabian Blanco (W, 3-0) tossed a one-two-three ninth.
Monday’s game: vs. second-place West Virginia (36-31) (PIT), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, Andre Pallante (1-0, 2.48)
Shaky pitching and defense by the JC-Cards resulted in a 10-8 loss in the decisive third game of the series. The defeat drops Johnson City (33-32) into a two-way tie for second with Kingsport, a half of a game behind Bristol (33-31) (PIT).
Francisco Justo could not finish the fourth, permitting seven runs, five earned, on six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 frames. His final two runners scored under John Witkowski’s watch after the latter yielded three hits in 1 1/3 innings, resulting in an unearned run of his own.
But the actual loss fell on Tyler Peck (L, 2-3) who was charged with two runs on a hit and two free passes in 2 1/3. Closer Will Guay fanned three over the last 1 2/3 frames but allowed two inherited runners to score.
Quality defense was in short supply with both teams committing two errors that led to a combined six unearned scores. Johnson City committed two throwing errors, one by center fielder Diomedes Del Rio and the other by third baseman Liam Sabino. Reliever Peck also threw two wild pitches.
Second baseman Kevin Vargas had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, stolen base and run scored out of the seven hole. Shortstop Mateo Gil was one of three Appy Birds to go yard, with first baseman Chandler Redmond launching a solo shot that was one of his two hits in five at bats, with two runs scored and four RBI. Designated hitter Todd Lott also had a solo long ball, while going 2-for-5.
Monday’s game: at co-second place Kingsport (33-32) (NYM), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, TBA
GCL Cardinals – off
The Gulf Coast Cardinals (20-31) head into the final five games of their season on a five-game losing skid. The East Division’s last-place team has not notched consecutive wins since August 4th and 6th, an apt reflection of what has been a disappointing and eminently forgettable season.
Monday’s game: at GCL Astros (24-26), 12:00 pm ET/11:00 am CT, TBA
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 5-3. Player of the Day Alvaro Seijas spun seven shutout innings for Palm Beach. Justin Williams’ three hits, including a home run and five RBI led Memphis to another win.
The Redbirds scored in six of eight frames in their 14-2 decimation of Round Rock. After dropping game one Memphis (62-67) won the final three games of the home series and are in second-place in the American Northern Division standings, seven games in back of Iowa (CHC) with an elimination number of five.
The balanced offensive effort featured all nine starters with at least one of the team’s 17 hits. They were spearheaded by Justin Williams, who went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run that was one of five bombs launched by the Redbirds. The right fielder doubled, touched home twice and drove in five.
Six of Williams’ teammates had two hits each: Randy Arozarena, Dylan Carlson, John Nogowski, Andrew Knizner, Edmundo Sosa and Adolis Garcia. Arozarena, Carlson, Nogowski and Knizner all went yard with Arozarena tripling and Garcia doubling with his 14th stolen base. Carlson has now hit safely in all eight of his Triple-A contests, including seven consecutive multi-hit performances.
Seth Elledge was credited with the win, his third in four decisions, despite his permitting a run on three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Elledge pitched in relief of Chris Ellis, who lasted just seven outs when the right-hander was ejected by the home plate umpire after hitting a batter. Ellis issued three free passes and gave up one run, which scored with Elledge on the mound.
Chasen Shreve used four strikeouts to negate three walks in two innings before giving way to Kodi Whitley. Whitley retired all four batters faced, stranding three inherited runners, before Zac Rosscup pitched out of a bases-loaded jam of his own doing in the ninth on two hits and a base-on-balls.
Friday’s game: vs. fourth-place Omaha (55-73) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Austin Warner (3-2, 6.38)
Five fifth-inning tallies lifted the S-Cards over the RoughRiders in the decisive third game of the home series, 8-4. Third-place Springfield (28-31) trails Tulsa (LAD) by five games in the North Division standings with an elimination number of seven.
The Cardinals banged out nine hits, paced by Brian O’Keefe who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Juan Yepez and Conner Capel both went 2-for-4, with Yepez blasting a two-run long ball, his first Double-A home run, scoring twice and knocking in two while Capel drove in one.
Angel Rondon (W, 6-4) held Frisco (28-30) (TEX) to a run on three hits and a hit batsman over six innings before tiring in the seventh. The righty served up a lead-off home run and double to his first two batters then exited.
Jacob Patterson walked one in the seventh and allowed Rondon’s last runner to score. Roel Ramirez and Bryan Dobzanski each went an inning, with Ramirez issuing two free passes and Dobzanski surrendering a solo shot.
Friday’s game: at Midland (30-29) (OAK), 7:00 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (6-6, 5.35)
Alvaro Seijas and Luken Baker powered the Beach Birds to a 3-0 victory over Bradenton (32=30) (PIT). Palm Beach (21-39) took the series, two games to one, but has been eliminated from post-season play.
Baker got his team on the board in the third with a two-run bomb, the first of his two hits in four at bats. The home run came with Chase Pinder (walk) aboard and was the first baseman’s ninth long ball of 2019. Baker also banged out his 30th double.
Nolan Gorman went 2-for-4 as well, tripling with an RBI. Scott Hurst reached base twice, doubling in three at bats with a walk and run scored.
Seijas (W, 4-1) scattered six hits, a walk and two plunked batters over seven scoreless frames. Patrick Dayton and Ramon Santos both went an inning, with Dayton striking out three and Santos two for his second save.
Friday’s game: vs. Fort Myers (32-28) (MIN), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, TBA
Imeldo Diaz drove in the winning run in the eighth as the Chiefs slipped past the River Bandits, 2-1, at Dozer Park. Peoria (19-40) has taken the first two of the three-game series but has been eliminated from post-season contention.
Diaz’ two-out single drove in Brendan Donovan after the latter doubled in the eighth. Both players went 2-for-4 with Diaz driving in both of his team’s scores. A single by Wadye Infante accounted for the Chiefs’ final hit.
A trio of Peoria hurlers limited Quad Cities to a tally on seven hits. Logan Gragg fanned five in four innings, blanking his opponents on two hits and two walks.
Wilfredo Pereira was charged with a run on five hits and a free pass over 4 2/3 frames for his first full-season win. Sebastian Tabata struck out his only batter, leaving Pereira’s last two runners aboard, for his fifth save.
Friday’s game: vs. Quad Cities (32-27) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Parker Kelly (3-4, 3.51)
Stanley Espinal (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The Spikes’ bullpen could not hold a late lead, resulting in a 9-5 road loss to the Muckdogs in the series road opener. Third-place State College (33-32) is three games behind Batavia in the Pinckney Division standings.
The Spikes led 4-2 at the eighth’s midpoint but seven runs off Jacob Schlesener (L, 2-6) (BS, 2) in the home half of the frame left the Spikes trailing 9-4. Six of the seven tallies were earned, coming on five hits and a base-on-balls, including a two-run long ball, over 2 1/3 frames. Jack Ralston struck out both batters faced to finish the eighth.
Schlesener and Ralston pitched in relief of Adrian Mardueno, who surrendered a two-run bomb comprising one of three hits and a base-on-balls yielded over five innings.
The offense mustered 12 hits, all singles, led by David Vinsky and Stanley Espinal who had three apiece. Both players scored one and drove in another, with Espinal going a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks.
Quality pitching was in short supply in the JC-Cards’ 14-4 loss to Elizabethton for a split of the two-game series. Johnson City (32-30) remains atop the West Division standings, a half of a game ahead of Bristol – whom the Appy Birds face next – two in front of Kingston (NYM) and 2 ½ up on Elizabethton (29-32) (MIN).
While three of the four Johnson City pitchers were scored upon, the bulk of the damage came against starter Luis Ortiz (L, 0-4), who gave up nine runs, seven earned, on nine hits and a walk in two plus innings. His last three runners scored under Alex Gallegos’ watch, with the righty surrendering a grand slam that was one of six hits and a base-on-balls permitted in three frames.
Enrique Perez tossed the next 2 1/3 innings, walking three and joining Ortiz and Gallegos by hitting a batter. Both of the tallies charged to the lefty scored with Wilberto Rivera on the mound. Rivera, who inherited a bases-loaded/one-out mess, walked in the first run then allowed the second run to score on a force out but was not scored upon himself in 1 2/3 frames.
Johnson City generated just four hits, including a solo shot by left fielder Victor Garcia, who reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Friday’s game: vs. second-place Bristol (31-30) (PIT), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, Julio Puello (3-4, 5.80)
The fifth-place Cardinals were easily handled by the first-place Marlins on Thursday, 9-3. It was the third straight loss for the GCL Cardinals (20-29), just 3-7 over their last 10 games.
Nathanael Heredia (L, 5-3) lasted just seven outs, yielding six runs, five earned, on five hits, a base-on-balls and a plunked batter. Martin Cordova retired another seven batters, permitting three tallies on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman. Luis Tena held the GCL Marlins (27-19) scoreless on one hit over the last 3 1/3 frames.
The offense managed just four hits but worked six free passes and scored two unearned runs on consecutive Marlins miscues. Franklin Soto and Jean Selmo were the only Cardinals to reach base more than once, with both players singling and scoring with a base-on-balls.
Friday’s game: vs. GCL Nationals (23-23), 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, Anthony Green (1-1, 4.62)
The C-Blue scored early and often, then held on for an 8-6 home victory over the Twins. The second-place DSL Cardinals Blue (41-21) control their own fate with a Friday showdown at the first-place Rockies whom they trail by a half-game with two games remaining.
The visitors broke on top first with three runs off Wilmer Ortega (W, 5-0), but the Cardinals Blue answered with eight tallies over the initial four innings. Darlin Moquete was on fire, going 4-for-5 with a three-run home run comprising part of his two runs scored and four RBIs. The center fielder also swiped his 23rd base of the season.
Gustavo A. Rodriguez and Luis Rodriguez had two of the team’s 12 hits, with Gustavo singling and doubling in three at bats with a walk and run scored. Batting right behind Gustavo in the six spot, Luis Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a triple, touched home once and knocked in one, but was unsuccessful in his only stolen base attempt. Catcher Jesus Orecchia reached base three times, doubling in two at bats with two walks and two runs scored.
After giving up three first-inning tallies, Ortega shut down the Twins (23-40) over the next four frames, allowing three hits and three walks in all plus hitting a batter. Allinson Benitez pitched the next three innings, yielding a run on three hits and two free passes issued.
Benjamin Arias retired just one of six batters faced, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks. Cristoffer Zapata worked out of a bases-loaded jam, retiring both batters for his sixth save.
Friday’s game: at DSL Rockies (42-21), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, Gustavo J. Rodriguez (4-1, 1.83)
DSL Cardinals Red – off
The Cardinals Red (31-38) are riding a six-game winning streak that has pulled them from eighth (and last) place to sixth in the San Pedro Division standings. It is all about pride by now for the C-Red, who are a game behind the Mets2 with two contests remaining.
Friday’s game: vs. fourth-place DSL Brewers (35-35), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, Henry Gomez (1-1, 4.39)
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
photo: Daniel Ponce de Leon (Frank Ramirez/The Cardinal Nation)
On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-4. It was something old and something new for Memphis, as Daniel Ponce de Leon’s pitching and Dylan Carlson’s hitting led the Redbirds to a win. Johnson City protected its slim division lead with a final-out, four-run comeback capped by Liam Sabino’s double.
Daniel Ponce de Leon’s six strong frames and Dylan Carlson’s three-hit night led the Redbirds to a 5-3 victory of the Express, evening the home series at one game each with two on tap. Second-place Memphis (60-67) trails Iowa (CHC) by eight games in the American Northern Division standings with an elimination number of six.
Ponce de Leon (W, 7-4) scattered five hits and four walks with one run permitted while striking out five. The sixth-inning run was the first score allowed in his four outings since returning to Memphis. But Kodi Whitley did not retire a batter, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits and a base-on-balls.
Dylan Carlson (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)
Dominic Leone’s relief effort was vital to the Redbirds’ success, with the righty working out of a bases-loaded/none out jam. Leone stuck out four of his five batters retired, allowing one hit. Chasen Shreve retired his only batter, stranding an inherited runner, before Mike Mayers negotiated around a lead-off single for his third save.
Carlson did more than his share at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and solo shot, scoring one and driving in two. The top prospect outfielder is batting .520/.586/.960/1.546 in 24 at bats over six Triple-A games.
Three Redbirds accumulated two of their team’s 10 hits each: Adolis Garcia, Max Schrock and Edmundo Sosa. Garcia singled and doubled in three at bats with a walk, run scored and RBI while Schrock went 2-for-4 with a double, and crossed home twice.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Round Rock (76-50) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Jake Woodford (8-7, 3.96)
Springfield (26-31) began its final road trip of the season with a 5-0 drubbing at Frisco.
Tommy Parsons took the loss, his fifth against four wins, after yielding five runs on nine hits, including a two-run blast, in seven innings. Mitchell Osnowitz pitched a clean eighth.
The visitors mustered just four hits with right fielder Johan Mieses singling and doubling in three at bats in the clean up slot. Mieses was also credited with an outfield assist at third.
The Beach Birds’ faltering bullpen led to a 5-1 loss to Bradenton in the home series opener.
Palm Beach (19-39) battled the Marauders to a 1-1 tie after six only to have a trio of Cards hurlers tagged for four runs over the last three innings. Edgar Escobar permitted two tallies in the seventh, his second inning of work, yielding two hits and a walk overall. Ramon Santos and Leonardo Taveras were each charged with a run on two hits in one frame, with Taveras also issuing a free pass.
Starter Edgar Gonzalez walked a tightrope by allowing 10 baserunners over the first five frames on five hits and five walks, but only one scored.
Nick Dunn and Dennis Ortega each had two of the team’s seven hits, in four and three at bats, respectively. Luken Baker (single) was the only Beach Bird to touch home, the first baseman scoring when Nick Plummer worked a bases-loaded walk in the fourth. Nolan Gorman donned the Golden Sombrero, with four strikeouts in four at-bats.
A five-run fifth was more than enough to send the Chiefs to a 7-2 defeat at the hands of the visiting Timber Rattlers (31-26) (MIL). Peoria (17-40) also lost the series, one-game-to-three.
Colin Schmid (L, 6-6) did not retire a batter in the fifth, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in four plus innings. Three of his runners scored under Connor Coward’s watch, as the righty gave up three hits and a base-on-balls over three frames. Evan Sisk issued a free pass during his two innings of work.
Peoria generated nine hits, all singles, with Brendan Donovan and Brandon Riley both going 2-for-4. Brady Whalen scored both of his squad’s runs, going 1-for-3 with a walk. The first baseman was driven in both times by Imeldo Diaz, who singled once in three at bats with a sac fly.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Quad Cities (32-25) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Michael Brettell (4-9, 5.59)
State College – off
State College (33-31) has two days off for the 2019 New York-Penn All-Star Game. This season’s version will take place at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St George, home of the Staten Island Yankees. Five Spikes have been selected to the Red team for the game on Wednesday, August 21st: Martin Figueroa (INF), Andre Pallante (RHP), Hector Villalobos (LHR), David Vinsky (OF) and Andrew Warner (OF).
Down to their final out, Johnson City rallied with four runs to clip the Yankees, 4-3, for a split of the four-game series. Johnson City (31-29) holds a slim half-game lead over Bristol (PIT) in the West Division standings with Kingsport (NYM) and Elizabethton (MIN) just 2 and 2 ½ games back.
The Appy Birds trailed Pulaski (39-21), the East Division’s top team, 3-0 with one out to go before mounting their comeback with four consecutive hits. Mateo Gil tripled to right, and scored on Chandler Redmond’s single up the middle. A single by Jhon Torres put runners at first and second for Liam Sabino, who greeted the new Yankees reliever by lining a two-run double to left for the lead.
Johnson City garnered 10 hits in all with Redmond, Torres and Sabino having two apiece. Redmond reached base three times, singling twice in four at bats with a base-on-balls, two runs scored and an RBI. Torres opened the eighth with a pinch hit double then remained in the game in right while Sabino doubled twice in five at bats with three RBIs.
Jose Moreno and Francisco Justo split the pitching duties, with Moreno permitting two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 4 1/3 frames. Justo (W, 3-2) struck out five in 4 2/3 innings, yielding a solo home run that was his only hit given up to go with one free pass. The Bronx native stranded one of two inherited runners and hit a batter.
The Cardinals Blue suffered their third straight defeat, a 6-4 loss to the DSL Mets1 (33-28). The setback drops the C-Blue (39-20) a game behind the DSL Rockies in the South Division standings with five games remaining.
Defense proved key as four of the six tallies yielded by the home staff were unearned because of four miscues. Starter Engels Martinez was charged with all four unearned tallies which were scored over three frames, the only runs given up during his five innings on the mound. Martinez allowed four hits and a walk.
Juan Peralta (L, 1-1) was tagged for two runs on four hits over two frames before Ronald Suarez issued two free passes and struck out three in 1 1/3. Cristoffer Zapata used a double play to erase his base-on-balls issued, stranding two inherited runners.
The Cardinals Blue managed seven hits with Carlos Arcia and Luis Rodriguez leading the way with two apiece. Third baseman Arcia went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two driven in while swiping a base and Rodriguez singled and doubled in two at bats after coming in at catcher in the top of the fourth.
Wednesday’s games: at third-place Phillies Red (36-23). Game one – 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, Yordy Richard (4-0, 4.78)/TBA
Nine late scores turned a competitive game into a rout as the Cardinals Red (29-38) trounced the Mets2, 14-4, for their fourth win in a row. Both teams have been eliminated from post-season contention in the San Pedro Division.
Center fielder Smith Vargas led the Red’s 13-hit parade, going 3-for-6 with a double, two runs scored and three knocked in at the top of the order. Three C-Red players had two hits apiece: first baseman Luis Andujar, designated hitter Miguel Marcos and second baseman Albert Inoa. Both of Andujar’s two hits in five at bats went for extra bases – a triple and two-run long ball that were part of his three runs scored and three RBIs. Marcos and Inoa both singled twice, with Marcos driving in one in five at bats and Inoa working a base-on-balls, touching home three times and knocking in one.
It was a mixed bag on the basepaths. Vargas went 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts and Marcos was picked off first. Defensively, Inoa was one of four Cardinals Red to commit an error.
Edgar Manzo (W, 2-4) tossed the first five innings, permitting four runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks. Brayan Ramirez recorded five outs, yielding a hit and walks. His last two runners were left on base by Hemerson Cordero, who worked around three free passes in 1 1/3 frames. Ramon Fernandez faced the minimum.
Wednesday’s games: vs./at DSL Rangers2 (29-39). Game 1 – 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, Yonael Dominguez (1-1, 4.58)/TBA
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
photo: Harrison Bader (Frank Ramirez/The Cardinal Nation)
On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 4-5. Player of the Day Harrison Bader went 3-for-6 including two home runs in Memphis’ sweep of Iowa. GCL reliever Luis Tena retired all 10 batters faced, fanning four, and stranding three inherited runners.
The Redbirds played a little long ball (make that a lot of long ball!) in their 14-2 trouncing of Iowa (66-59) for a four-game sweep. Second-place Memphis (59-66) has closed to within seven games of the first-place Cubs but have an elimination number of nine.
Four Redbirds launched home runs, led by Player of the Day Harrison Bader, who went 3-for-6 with two solo blasts comprising two of his three runs scored and three RBIs. Dylan Carlson hit his first Triple-A bomb, putting his team up 1-0 after one before Edmundo Sosa went yard with the bases empty as well. The home run fest was capped by John Nogowski’s three-run long ball that was part of his team’s five-run sixth.
Memphis had 14 hits in all with Max Schrock joining Bader by going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and three driven in. Nogowski and Carlson had two hits each with a walk and touched home twice. Nogowski knocked in three while Carlson smashed his first three-bagger and drove in two.
Austin Warner (W, 3-2) tossed a solid effort, yielding two runs on one home run that was one of three hits and four walks allowed over five innings. Three relievers shared the final four frames: Jesus Cruz (1 IP), Zac Rosscup (2 IP) and Mike Mayers (1 IP).
Monday’s game: vs. Round Rock (75-49) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Genesis Cabrera (4-5, 6.59)
The S-Cards were easily handled by the Travelers on Sunday, 7-1, preventing a three-game series sweep by the home team. Springfield (26-30) is in third place in the North Division standings, five games behind co-leaders Arkansas (31-25) (SEA) and Tulsa (LAD).
Alex FaGalde took the loss, his fourth against three wins, permitting three runs on five hits and a base-on-balls through 4 2/3 frames. All three tallies were generated by one home run.
Ronnie Williams recorded the fifth’s final out, leaving FaGalde’s last runner on, but he could not finish the next inning. Williams surrendering two long balls accounting for three runs before departing in favor of Bryan Dobzanski. Dobzanski retired four batters, stranding an inherited runner. Jacob Patterson and Roel Ramirez each went an inning, with Patterson yielding a run on two hits.
Springfield managed six hits with Chance Capel going 2-for-4 out of the six hole. Kramer Robertson went 1-for-3 and reached on a throwing error, thus setting him up to score the only run on a double by Yariel Gonzalez, the latter’s only hit in four at bats.
Palm Beach (19-38) fell at Daytona (26-33) (CIN), 7-3, in the decisive third game of the road series.
Miscues on both sides played a big role in the scoring as only four of the 10 total runs were earned.
Diego Cordero (L, 2-5) yielded five runs, one earned, on a whopping 11 hits and a free pass in 5 2/3. Up from the GCL club as long relief help, Ludwin Jimenez tossed the final 2 1/3, giving up two runs on three hits and a base-on-balls while stranding two inherited runners.
Dennis Ortega and Cole Kreuter each had two of the team’s seven hits with Ortega walking once and Kreuter driving in one. Luken Baker reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored.
The Chiefs were officially eliminated from second-half postseason contention with their 7-3 loss to the Timber Rattlers on Sunday. Peoria (16-39) has lost both of the first two games of the series with two yet to play.
Parker Kelly (L, 3-4) held his opponents to a single tally through six frames before permitting three more scores in the seventh. The right-hander allowed seven hits and two walks in all.
Sebastian Tabata was tagged for two runs, one earned, on two walks and two wild pitches in 1 1/3, but left Kelly’s final runner on base. Evan Sisk allowed an unearned tally in his inning of work.
The home team generated just five hits, two by catcher Carlos Soto, who went 2-for-3 with a walk, double and solo shot that was one of his two runs scored.
The Spikes swept a home double-header over the Doubledays, 4-3 and 3-1, for a three-games-to-one series lead with one game on tap. Third-place State College (33-30) moves to two games in back of West Virginia (PIT) in the tight Pinckney Division standings.
The opener required a four-run rally resulting in the walk-off win. Five of State College’s eight hits came in the seventh, including Matt Duce’s two-run bomb scoring Pedro Pages (single) and bringing his team within one run. Triples by Donivan Williams and Stanley Espinal were sandwiched around Brylie Ware’s game-tying single with Espinal knocking in Ware for the winning margin.
Enmanuel Solano (W, 2-7) went the distance for the Spikes, permitting three runs on four hits, including a two-run blast.
Brylie Ware (State College Spikes)
The home team led all the way in the finale with Ware the only Spike with more than one of the team’s nine hits. The third baseman singled twice in two at bats with an RBI on a sac fly. Espinal singled in his only at bat, worked a free pass and touched home once.
A quartet of State College pitchers held Auburn to a lone score on five hits. NYPL All-Stars Andre Pallante and Hector Villalobos both allowed a hit in their respective two innings of work, with the former hitting one batter and the latter picking up his third win in four decisions. Connor Lunn tossed the fifth and sixth, yielding a run on three hits. Eric Lex faced the minimum, striking out two, for his third save.
The Appalachian League’s two division leaders went head-to-head on Sunday in Pulaski with Johnson City twice coming out on the losing end, 7-6 and 8-1. Johnson City (29-29) maintains a slim half game lead on second-place Bristol (PIT) in the West Division, where the top four teams are separated by just 1 ½ games.
In Game 1, the visitors blew two chances for the win, failing to hold a 5-4 lead in the seventh and a 6-5 lead in the final frame. Blake Drake (L, 0-1) (BS,1) allowed all three scores, two earned, on four hits and two walks, one intentional, including a solo bomb in one plus innings. Julio Puello pitched the first six frames, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks.
The offense managed just five hits but was assisted by eight free passes. Left fielder William Jimenez compiled an unusual line, going 0-for-1 with three walks and two runs scored. Right fielder Jhon Torres went 2-for-3 with a solo shot comprising one of his two RBIs.
Offense, defense and pitching appeared to just roll over in the nightcap, the Cards mustering just two hits against three errors and all three pitchers serving up a home run. Starter Will Guay (L, 1-1) gave up four runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. Enrique Perez and Wilberto Rivera both surrendered two-run home runs with four outs recorded.
Both hits occurred in the second when Johnson City scored its only run. Zach Jackson doubled with one out, coming home on Raffy Ozuna’s two-out double.
The Gulf Cardinals scored in four straight frames on their way to a 6-2 victory over the third-place Nationals (21-22). The fifth-place GCL Cardinals (20-26) trail the Marlins by seven games in the East Division standings with an elimination number of five.
The balanced offense featured eight of nine starters either scoring or having at least one of the team’s 11 hits. Three Gulf Cardinals garnered two each: center fielder Tyler Reichenborn, right fielder Luis Montano and designated hitter Jean Selmo. Reichenborn went yard with the bases empty. The center fielder also reached base via a hit-by-pitch. Montano went 2-for-5, crossing home once while Selmo singled and doubled in four at bats, knocking in one.
Reliever Luis Tena (W, 1-0) was truly stellar in relief, retiring all 10 batters faced, fanning four, and stranding three inherited runners. Martin Cordova pitched the initial four innings, holding the Nationals to a run on three hits, a walk and a balk. Anthony Green, who provided the bridge between Cordova and Tena, allowed a tally on two hits and three walks in 1 2/3 frames before giving way to Tena.
Monday’s game: at second-place GCL Mets (23-22), 12:00 pm ET/11:00 am CT, TBA
DSL Cardinals Blue – off
The Cardinals Blue (39-18), which begin a seven games in six days stretch to finish their regular season, are tied with the Rockies atop the South Division standings with the Phillies Red three games back. Only two of those six contests are at home but the Cardinals Blue are almost equally successful on the road – 21-9 home versus 18-9 away.
The Rockies host the C-Blue one more time on Friday, the 23rd after the Cardinals Blue and P-Red meet in a road twin bill on Wednesday, the 21st. August 23rd is the fifth game of the week and last game of the season for the Rockies, which play the Phillies Red at home on Tuesday, the 20th. The P-Red have six contests remaining, including four at home.
Monday’s game: at ninth- and last-place Nationals (19-40), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, Reinys Portillo (2-4, 3.19)
DSL Cardinals Red – off
The Cardinals Red (28-38) are seventh in the eight-team San Pedro division and have six games remaining.
Monday’s game: vs. fifth-place DSL Mets2 (31-35), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, TBA
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
On Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 4-2. Player of the Day Daniel Ponce de Leon continued his strong pitching for Memphis, with seven scoreless innings including nine strikeouts. Alexis Wilson’s eighth-inning home run powered Peoria to a road win.
A trio of Redbirds hurlers combined on a three-hitter, blanking first-place Iowa, 5-0 in the series opener. The victory kicked off the final home stand of the season for second-place Memphis (56-66), which trails the Cubs by 10 games in the American Northern Division standings.
Player of the Day Daniel Ponce de Leon (W, 6-4) was masterful over seven frames, striking out nine with two hits and two walks allowed. The right-hander threw 68 of his 108 pitches for strikes. Kodi Whitley and Mike Mayer each tossed an inning, with Whitley yielding a hit and base-on-balls before Mayers faced the minimum.
The home team banged out 10 hits, paced by Rangel Ravelo and Justin Williams, who both went 2-for-4. Ravelo got the scoring started with a two-run home run in the first and Williams doubled for the third time in his injury-shortened Triple-A season.
Harrison Bader reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two free passes and a two-run bomb that was one of his two runs scored. Dylan Carlson singled and touched home once, playing in left field in his Triple-A debut.
The S-Cards fell to the Drillers in the series finale, 7-1, having claimed only one victory in the four-game road set. Tulsa’s (30-23) (LAD) victory moved them into a first-place tie with Arkansas, with both teams six games ahead of fading Springfield (24-29).
All three Springfield pitchers were scored upon as they surrendered four solo shots in all. Evan Kruczynski (L, 2-8) served up two long balls, yielding four runs on five hits and two walks, one intentional, in four innings.
Roel Ramirez pitched the next two frames, giving up two tallies, including a solo bomb, on two hits, a base-on-balls and a plunked batter. Jacob Patterson’s solo shot yielded was one of three hits with five strikeouts in two innings.
The visitors generated eight hits, all singles, and the team went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, stranding 10. Conner Capel and Yariel Gonzalez had two hits apiece. Capel also had three strikeouts and left three on base.
Kramer Robertson went 1-for-5 in his Double-A return and scored his squad’s only run. The shortstop swiped his seventh Texas League bag as well.
The fourth and final game between the Beach Birds (18-36) and Tarpons (27-26) (NYY) was not played due to wet grounds. Since it is the final meeting of the year between the two squads, the game will not be rescheduled. Palm Beach lost the first three series games and has been eliminated from second-half post-season contention.
Alexis Wilson’s long ball was the difference as the Chiefs clipped the Cougars, 3-2, clinching the three-game road series with one contest remaining. Still, Peoria (16-36) is 18 games behind Kane County in the Western Division standings and has an elimination number of four.
Wilson’s blast led off the eighth, unravelling a 2-2 tie and was the catcher’s only hit in three at bats. Delvin Perez spearheaded the eight-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and stolen base while batting second. Second baseman Brendan Donovan singled twice in four at bats, crossed home once and knocked in one.
Colin Schmid tossed five solid frames permitting two runs on six hits and two walks. Franyel Casadilla (W, 4-4) held Kane County at bay on one hit over the next three innings before Freddy Pacheco faced the minimum, fanning two, for his third save.
Friday’s game: at first-place Kane County (34-18) (ARI), 6:30 pm CT, Michael Brettell (4-8, 5.54)
The Spikes downed the Scrappers on Thursday, 5-2, evening the away series at one game apiece with one on tap. Third-place State College (30-29) gained a game on division-leading Batavia (MIA), a tean they trail by four games in the Pinckney Division standings.
Three Spikes accumulated two hits each: David Vinsky, Martin Figueroa and Dariel Gomez. All three players crossed home once while Vinsky doubled with an RBI and Gomez tripled. Terry Fuller’s only hit in four at bats was a two-run blast that was part of State College’s three-run fifth.
Adrian Mardueno (W, 3-2) limited the opposition to a run on four hits through five innings. Hector Villalobos’ impressive appearance consisted of nine up and nine down with three strikeouts but Fabian Blanco was touched for a tally on three hits in his inning on the bump.
Friday’s game: vs. fourth-place Mahoning Valley (27-31) (CLE), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, Michael YaSenka (1-0, 1.42)
The JC-Cards were slammed by the Royals, 14-4, in the opener of the three-game road series. Johnson City (28-26) maintains a one-game lead over second-place Elizabethton (MIN), which also lost Thursday.
Jose Moreno (L, 3-4) could not work around two teammates’ bobbles, yielding nine runs, two earned, on eight hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Wilberto Rivera finished the third but not before allowing two inherited runners to score. Rivera allowed two hits and three walks against five outs recorded.
All three runs charged to Dylan Pearce over 2 2/3 frames resulted from a home run, one of four hits and three walks given up. Blake Drake retired three batters but permitted two tallies on two hits and a base on balls. Alex Gallegos retired his only batter.
Johnson City’s offense was shut out until the eighth, when they capitalized on four walks and a double to score four runs. William Jimenez and Mateo Gil both drew one-out free passes, advancing a base via a wild pitch. A ground out brought Jimenez across before Liam Sabino (who extended his hitting streak to 11 games) doubled in Gil. Back-to-back walks to Chandler Redmond and Trejyn Fletcher enabled Sabino to score on a wild pitch.
It also brought a new hurler into the game who loaded the bases when he hit Aaron Antonini. Yet another free pass to Kyle Skeels forced Redmond across home for the final tally. Overall, the offense had more total walks (six) than hits (five), with no Appy Bird garnering more than one.
The fifth-place Gulf Coast League Cardinals (19-24) have an opportunity to move out of the cellar of the East Division standings with a victory over the Astros, a team they trail by a half-game. Overall, the Gulf Birds are six games behind the division-leading Marlins.
Friday’s game: at fourth-place GCL Astros (19-23), 12:00 pm ET/11:00 am CT, TBA
DSL Cardinals Blue – off
The DSL Cardinals Blue (38-17) take a nine-game winning streak into the season’s final nine contests. The C-Blue are tied with the Rockies (39-18) atop the South Division standings, with the latter having seven games remaining on their regular season schedule.
The two teams meet one more time, in the C-Blue’s second-to-last contest and the Rockies’ finale. Lurking in the shadows is the third-place DSL Phillies Red, which trail both by 2 ½ games with the other six division rivals being essentially reduced to the spoiler role.
Friday’s game: vs. seventh-place DSL Angels (21-36), 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, Wilmer Ortega (4-0, 1.90) or Eduar Pimentel (0-2, 6.05)
A balanced offensive effort by the C-Red resulted in a 6-4 victory over the third-place Phillies White (36-27). The Cardinals Red (26-38) are in seventh place in the eight-team San Pedro division and have been eliminated from post-season contention.
Seven of nine Cardinals Red starters garnered at least one of the team’s 10 hits with three players having two hits apiece: Smith Vargas, Luis Andujar and Roblin Heredia. Vargas singled twice, touched home twice and swiped his 22nd bag of 2019 while Andujar went 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and two RBIs. Heredia reached base three times, going 2-for-3 with a walk and matched Andujar’s run scored and two knocked in.
Diorys Guerrero tossed the first four frames, holding his opponents to a tally on three hits, three free passes and a balk. As a result, the lefty did not qualify for the win despite his team never trailing.
Credit for the victory went to Miguel Yedis (W, 1-3), who yielded two runs on four hits and a wild pitch over two innings. Righty Ramon Fernandez pitched the final three innings, permitting a score on three hits for his first professional save.
Friday’s game: at second-place DSL Cubs2 (37-27), 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, Angel Cuenca (5-1, 1.95) or Henry Gomez (0-1, 5.00)
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
The Chicago Cubs also lost, keeping the Cardinals three games back in the National League Central Division.
Not yet a member?
TCN’s 2019 Dominican Summer League Cardinals Blue Player of the Year
