photo: César Prieto (Memphis Redbirds)
The St. Louis Cardinals system was 0-1 on Thursday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, second baseman César Prieto, had three hits including a three-run home run in Memphis’ 7-5 road loss. Thomas Saggese and Matt Koperniak had two hits apiece. Friday is Opening Day for Springfield, Peoria and Palm Beach.
Results for the game played on Thursday, April 4.
The Memphis Redbirds (3-2) fell to the Indianapolis Indians (PIT, 2-3) in a wet and delayed Game 2 of the road series on Thursday night at Victory Field.
In his Cardinals system debut, starter Victor Santos received the loss, pitching five innings, giving up two runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out one.
The Indians scored one run in the second to take the early lead. However, Alfonso Rivas III tripled in the fourth, setting up Moisés Gómez’ sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game. Santos gave up his second run in the fifth. In relief, Josh James struggled, yielding five runs on three hits and two walks in the sixth inning.
The Redbirds tried to rally in the ninth. Jared Young walked and Matt Koperniak doubled to set up César Prieto, who hit a three-run home run to right field. Thomas Saggese drew a walk, and Luken Baker doubled, scoring Saggese. Rivas III came to the plate with two outs as the tying run but flied out to center to end the game.
Prieto Power!
His 2nd @HueysRestaurant homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/hQ7rPoKsbo
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) April 5, 2024
Memphis totaled nine hits and struck out ten times, eight of which came in the first five innings. The Redbirds went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.
Prieto went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and two strikeouts. Koperniak went 2-for-4, including a double, scoring once, and drawing one walk. Rivas III went 1-for-3 with a triple, scoring once and walking once. Saggese had two hits, a walk and a run scored.
Rehabbing St. Louis outfielder Lars Nootbaar played 7 ½ innings in right field and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
On the basepaths, Young swiped one bag. On the fielding side, The Redbirds threw out a runner at the plate to end the fifth inning and save a run from scoring. The play went left fielder Rivas III to shortstop Saggese to catcher Nick Raposo, with Rivas getting the outfield assist.
Friday’s game: at Indianapolis, RHP Michael McGreevy vs. RHP Paul Skenes 6:05 p.m. CT.
Friday is also Opening Day for the Cardinals’ other three full-season affiliates:
- Springfield at Arkansas (SEA), RH Tink Hence vs. Logan Evans, 7:05 p.m. CT
- Peoria at Wisconsin (MIL), LH Cooper Hjerpe vs. TBA, 6:40 p.m. CT
- Palm Beach vs. Jupiter (MIA), LH Quinn Mathews vs. TBA, 6:30 p.m. ET
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