photo: Juan Yepez (Allison Rhoades/Peoria Chiefs)
Two rainouts and two losses turned Wednesday into a downer for the St. Louis Cardinals system. Casey Meisner struggled in his organizational debut, but Peoria first baseman Juan Yepez had a four-hit night, raising his season average to .443.
Recaps of games played on Wednesday, April 25.
Memphis Redbirds postponed
Due to a rain-filled forecast, the Redbirds game against the Round Rock Express on Wednesday in Memphis was postponed.
The game will be made up on Thursday as part of a doubleheader that will begin at 5:05 PM Central time. Daniel Poncedeleon (1-1, 1.06) will start the opener, and St. Louis rehabber Sam Tuivailala will take the ball in the nightcap in what may be a bullpen game.
Springfield Cardinals postponed
Like the Triple-A Redbirds, the Double-A Cardinals game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Springfield was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, May 20, the first of consecutive seven-inning games.
The two clubs will wrap up their series on Thursday at 7:10 PM Central time. Conner Greene (2-1, 2.63) will take the ball for Springfield.
Jupiter Hammerheads 6 at Palm Beach Cardinals 2
Carried by their five-run third inning, the Jupiter Hammerheads enjoyed a 6-2 win over Palm Beach at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday.
In his Cardinals organization debut, Casey Meisner started and allowed five runs across his three innings of work. Six walks and three extra-base hits – including a three-run homer in the third – led to Meisner’s quick departure. Jacob Patterson followed with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, and Jason Zgardowski pitched 2 1/3 of the same variety. Will Latcham surrendered an unearned run in the ninth and struck out two batters.
The Cardinals matched the Hammerheads in the hit column with eight but were unable to use them as effectively. Shortstop Kramer Robertson went 3-for-4, stole a base and scored out of the leadoff spit, and catcher Brian O’Keefe also came home. O’Keefe hit his third double of the season, and center fielder Chase Pinder added his second two-base hit. The Beach Birds combined to go 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, stranding eight runners.
Former Cardinal Daniel Castano picked up the win for Jupiter, allowing two runs over six innings. The Hammerheads lineup included two rehabbing Major Leaguers, third baseman Martin Prado and shortstop J.D. Riddle, both of whom went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Thursday’s game: Austin Warner (0-2, 7.82) at St. Lucie Mets, 5:30 PM Central time.
Beloit Snappers 9, Peoria Chiefs 8
The hometown Snappers came away on top of Wednesday’s offense-heavy matchup with the Chiefs. Backed by their five-run rally in the seventh against the shaky Peoria bullpen, Beloit prevailed by a 9-8 final score. The Chiefs’ third consecutive one-run loss dropped their season record to 8-9.
Johan Oviedo toed the rubber for Peoria and turned in a quality outing. The 6-foot-6 right-hander went six frames and limited the Snappers to three runs with zero walks and five strikeouts. Levi MaVorhis ran into trouble in relief, recording just one out while being charged with four runs – three earned. Bryan Dobzanski allowed an unearned run in his 1 2/3 innings and was charged with his first blown save of the year. Kevin Hamann surrendered the walk off single with two outs in the ninth and dropped to 0-2 on the season with an 11.55 ERA.
It was not a subpar night for the Chiefs’ batting order, a group that went 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position and had four extra base hits. First baseman Juan Yepez, our Player of the Day, highlighted Peoria’s box score with a 4-for-5 evening, including his seventh double of 2018 and two runs scored. Designated hitter Elehuris Montero and left fielder Bryce Denton each had two hits, including a double. Yepez, Montero, and Denton each plated a pair.
Thursday’s game: Evan Guillory (1-1, 2.20) at Beloit Snappers, 6:30 PM Central time.
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