photo: Luken Baker (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-0 on Friday, Triple-A Opening Day. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is Memphis first baseman Luken Baker, who was 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Matthew Liberatore also stood out with five scoreless innings pitched.
Results from the game played Friday, March 31.
In the first game of Memphis 2023 season, the Redbirds walloped the Charlotte Knights (CWS) on the road by a 9-1 score on Friday night. Starter Matthew Liberatore pitched five scoreless innings against his former organization, allowed four hits, punched out seven and walked two to collect the win.
No. 6 @Cardinals prospect Matthew Liberatore spins 5 scoreless for @memphisredbirds.
His 7 strikeouts:
Curveball – 77 mph
Curveball – 77
Curveball – 75
Curveball – 76
Curveball – 78
Curveball – 78
Sinker – 98 pic.twitter.com/0C8ApwuPpj— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 1, 2023
Tommy Parsons, James Naile and JoJo Romero followed with one scoreless inning each. Kodi Whitley tossed the ninth and surrendered the Knights only run.
The Redbirds got on the board in the first inning on a solo home run by Luken Baker. Three more Memphis runs scored in the fourth on a two-run double by Baker and a double by Oscar Mercado.
The first 💣 of the season belongs to Baker. pic.twitter.com/s8ekEfoJIX
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) April 1, 2023
The Redbirds put an exclamation point on their win with a five-run top of the ninth. Scott Hurst grounded into a force out with the bases loaded to increase the lead to 5-0. With the bases still loaded, Masyn Winn walked, scoring the sixth run. Three runs came home on a ground ball to second base from Kramer Robertson. The first baseman failed to catch the errant throw as the bases cleared.
Charlotte finally scored in the home ninth on a solo home run off Kodi Whitley.
Baker went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. He was the only Redbird with multiple hits. Winn collected his first Triple-A hit, a single, and earned an RBI on the walk. Mercado and Hurst each drove in a run.
Picking up right where he left off.
Masyn Winn collects his first AAA hit. pic.twitter.com/D65CwoBUKE
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) April 1, 2023
On the base paths, Juan Yepez, Mercado and Hurst each stole a base. Robertson was caught stealing.
The Redbirds are now 1-0 on the season.
Saturday’s game: at Charlotte, RHP Dakota Hudson vs. TBA, 6:04 pm CT.
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