Cardinals Minor League Notebook: 9/16/17

photo: Ryan Helsley (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

The Memphis Redbirds are the only team in the St. Louis Cardinals system still playing.  After taking the first two games in the PCL Championship series, the Redbirds lost Game 3 on Friday night in El Paso. Ryan Helsley tossed six one-run innings and Tyler O’Neill was on base three times, stole a bag and made a great catch.

Results for games played Friday, September 15.

Memphis 0 at El Paso 3

Tyler O’Neill (Memphis Redbirds)

The Redbirds suffered the loss in the Game 3 of the PCL Championship, but still remain ahead 2-1 in the best-of-five series.  A night after the Memphis offense was shut out for 10 innings before winning in the 11th, they could only muster six hits and put no runs on the board over nine innings. Chihuahuas hitters got the better of Redbirds pitching to win their first game of the set.

Jeremy Martinez was the only Redbird with multiple hits, as he singled twice in four at-bats.  Breyvic Valera had the only extra base hit, a double.  Tyler O’Neill, Nick Martini, and Wilfredo Tovar all singled. O’Neill also drew two walks, stole a base and made a running catch into the center field wall to save a run. The Redbirds offense left 10 runners on base and were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Ryan Helsley (Palm Beach Cardinals)

Memphis starter Ryan Helsley pitched six innings and gave up one run on five hits.  The right hander struck out five and walked two.  The run he surrendered was a solo home run in the fifth inning.  In his first post-season appearance, Arturo Reyes gave up two runs in the seventh, and recorded no outs.  Miguel Socolovich finished the final two innings without further damage. Helsley took the hard-luck loss.

In the field, Martini made a throwing error, but all three El Paso runs were earned.

After Saturday’s Game 4, Sunday’s series finale, if necessary, will be Sunday night at 7:05. The winner will play the Durham Bulls (Rays), International League Champion, in the winner-take-all Triple-A National Championship Game, to be played Tuesday in Scranton, PA.

Saturday’s game:  Game 4 at El Paso, Zac Gallen (0-0, 0.00) 8:05 CT.

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