Photo: Nolan Gorman (Springfield Cardinals)
Nolan Gorman led Memphis to one of the system’s two extra-inning victories on Thursday. Springfield eked out a win as well but Peoria and Palm Beach did not. None of the three short-season clubs were able to get their games in.
Results from the games played Thursday, August 12th
Memphis 7 at Norfolk 6 (11)
Nolan Gorman scored the winning run as the Redbirds stemmed the Tide, 7-6, in 11 innings. It was the first victory in three tries for Memphis (41-46) at Harbor Park.
Gorman, our Player of the Day, accumulated four of his squad’s 11 hits, going 4-for-5 with a walk, double and three runs scored. The second baseman began the 11th inning at second base, was wild pitched to third, leaving him in position to score on catcher Ali Sanchez’ sac fly to first in foul ground.
Yep, he can run too 🏃 🏃 🏃
Nolan Gorman scores on the sacrifice fly and we’ve got the lead in extras ‼️ pic.twitter.com/1FHfKVW1BF
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 13, 2021
The Redbirds christened the scoreboard with a first inning tally, assisted by three consecutive free passes issued by Norfolk’s starter. Shortstop Kramer Robertson drew the first base-on-balls, eventually touching home plate via a 6-3 ground out by left fielder Alec Burleson.
Norfolk responded with a score of their own off starter Zack Thompson, one of two tallies yielded by the lefty during his five-inning stint. Thompson scattered six hits and a walk, tossing 49 of his 75 pitches for strikes.
The hosts led 2-1 until the visitor half of the fifth when the Redbirds generated three runs on five hits. The big blows were Burleson’s two-run double scoring Gorman (single) and first baseman Juan Yepez (walk), and Burleson touching home plate on a bunt single by centerfielder Evan Mendoza.
Memphis added two more runs the next frame to go up 6-2 at the sixth’s midpoint but the four-run lead evaporated under the bullpen’s watch. T.J. Zeuch, Toronto’s first-round pick back in 2016, did not impress in his second appearance for Memphis. The righty was charged with three runs on four hits, including a solo shot, and a base-on-balls, in 1 ½ innings. Zeuch fanned four.
Jesus Cruz recorded five outs, yielding a hit, handing the ball off to Junior Fernandez. Fernandez (BS, 1) surrendered a home run that sent the game into extras. Kodi Whitley (W, 2-0) tossed two clean frames, navigating around two walks.
Three Redbirds had two hits apiece: Sanchez, Mendoza and third baseman Rayder Ascanio – the former two in five at bats and Ascanio in four. Sanchez drove in three while Mendoza and Ascanio both worked a free pass, Mendoza knocking in one.
Burleson reached base three times, going 1-for-4 with two walks, a double, run scored and three RBI’s.
The Redbirds’ pitching staff was aided greatly by the four double plays turned by their defense. Gorman took part in all of them.
Friday’s game: at Norfolk (34-51)(BAL), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (1-2, 6.00)
Springfield 4 at Arkansas 3 (10)
Solid bullpen pen work combined with their host’s shaky defense handed the S-Cards a 4-3 victory over the Travelers in 10 innings at Dickey-Stephens Park. Springfield (34-53) leads the six-game series, two games to one.
Delvin Perez began the 10th at second, per the rules in place for games going into extra innings, A fielding miscue by the Tides’ first baseman allowed both designated hitter Irving Lopez to reach and Perez to cross home for the winning margin. It was one of three bobbles by Norfolk’s defense resulting in two unearned scores.
The contest was tied 3-3 over the last three frames of regulation thanks to the strong efforts by relievers Ramon Santos and Jacob Bosiokovic. Both hurlers struck out four, Santos issuing two free passes and stranding an inherited runner in 2 2/3 innings. Bosiokovic (W, 6-3) allowed two hits and plunked a batter over two frames.
Dalton Roach battled control issues and the long ball during his 5 1/3 innings on the mound, issuing six free passes along with three hits yielded. All three runs given up were products of two home runs.
Springfield mustered six hits, half of them belonging to Ivan Herrera. The catcher went 3-for-4 with a walk and RBI. Both Brendan Donovan and Chandler Redmond doubled once in four at bats with one driven in, Donovan scoring once. Left fielder David Vinsky reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a base-on-balls, stolen base and run scored.
Friday’s game: at Arkansas (45-42)(SEA), 7:10 pm CT, Kevin McGovern (1-1, 5.17)
Peoria 3 vs Cedar Rapids 10
The Chiefs’ bullpen could not hold a mid-game lead in their 10-3 home loss to Cedar Rapids. Peoria (33-54) trail in the series versus the Kernels, one game to two.
The home team led 3-2 at the sixth’s onset but the advantage flipped to a 7-3 hole by the time the inning was over. Jacob Schlesener (L, 4-4)(BS,3) retired just one batter, surrendering five runs on two hits and four walks, including a two-run bomb and run-scoring wild pitch.
Fabian Blanco recorded seven outs, permitting an unearned score on three hits and a base-on-balls, leaving one of Schlesener’s last two runners aboard. Leonardo Taveras retired his only batter, stranding two inherited runners but Paul Schwendel was tagged for two ninth-inning scores on two hits and a walk.
All three pitched in relief of starter Michael YaSenka who struck out eight in five innings. The righty was tagged for two runs on four hits and five base-on-balls.
Peoria managed just five hits, Jordan Walker the only Chief with more than one. The third baseman singled and doubled in four at bats, crossing home plate once.
Designated hitter Todd Lott and catcher Pedro Pages both went yard, their only hit in four at bats. Lott’s bomb came with the bases empty while Pages sent one over the wall in left center after Walker hit his 10th high-A two-bagger.
Friday’s game: vs Cedar Rapids (47-40)(MIN), 6:35 pm CT, Logan Gragg (2-4, 5.89)
Palm Beach 3 vs Lakeland 12
The Beach Birds were mauled by the Flying Tigers, 12-3, at Chevrolet Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday. Palm Beach has won one of the first three games of the six-game home set.
The contest was knotted at 2-2 until Palm Beach pitchers served up a combined seven tallies over the fifth and sixth frames. A three-run eighth ensued for Lakeland before the Beach Birds added a ninth-inning score.
Starter Edgar Manzo took the loss, his third in seven decisions. The right-hander was charged with three runs on four hits and two base-on-balls with five K’s over 4 2/3 frames.
Manzo’s final runner scored with Andrew Marrero on the mound. Marrero, an 18th-round selection in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, retired just two batters, permitting five scores, three earned, on three hits, two walks and two balks.
Luis Ortiz inherited two base runners and allowed both to cross home plate during his 2 1/3 innings on the bump. The righty allowed three runs of his own on three hits, including a two-run long ball. Levi Prater recorded four outs, yielding a run on two hits and two base-on-balls and letting Ortiz’ last runner touch home plate.
Palm Beach’s offense had more scoring opportunities from walks (six) than they did hits (five). Second baseman Noah Medlinger, an undrafted free agent signee, singled and doubled in two at bats with a walk, hit-by-pitch and run scored out of the nine hole.
Most of the team’s results were provided by designated hitter Austin Dean who took part in his third game since his rehab assignment began. The outfielder’s only hit in four at bats was a two-run blast with Medlinger aboard after the latter was plunked.
All we can say is WOW.
Austin Dean absolutely clobbers this baseball and makes it a 2-2 ballgame. #BeachBirds pic.twitter.com/e7Vitc8GOT
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) August 12, 2021
Friday’s game: vs Lakeland (35-51) (DET), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, TBA
FCL Cardinals at FCL Marlins – cancelled 
Thursday’s contest between the FCL Cardinals (15-13) and the FCL Marlins (12-15) was cancelled.
Friday’s games: at FCL Nationals (), 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, TBA
DSL Cardinals Blue vs DSL Mets1 – postponed 
Thursday’s contest between the DSL Cardinals Blue (10-11) and the DSL Mets1 was postponed due to inclement weather. The game has been rescheduled as part of a home-and-away double header on Friday, August 13th with game one beginning at 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT.
Friday’s game: vs/at DSL Mets1 (10-12). Game one – 10:00 am ET/9:00 CT, TBA/TBA
DSL Cardinals Red at DSL Cubs Red – postponed 
The DSL Cardinals Red (9-9 and the DSL Cubs Red were unable to get their game in due to rain. The contest has been rescheduled as part of a home-and-away twin bill on Friday, August 13th with game one beginning at 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT.
Friday’s games: vs/at DSL Cubs Red (9-12). Game one – 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, TBA/TBA
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