photo: Nolan Gorman (Memphis Redbirds)
On Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals system went 3-5, with the wins coming from an FCL doubleheader sweep and an extra inning slugfest in Memphis. Nolan Gorman’s double, home run and four RBI paced a Redbirds team that needed all 12 runs.
Results from the games played Thursday, August 19th.
Memphis 12 vs. Nashville 11 (10 innings)
Two late rallies propelled the Redbirds past the Sounds, 12-11, in 10 innings. Memphis (44-49) has claimed all three games played so far in their six-game set versus Nashville at AutoZone Park.
The contest was back-and-forth in the early going, with both teams trading two-run frames for a tie after three. The Sounds put up a single score but the Redbirds’ response was a two-run fifth, going up 4-3.
The visitors seemingly pulled away with three consecutive frames of crooked-number scoring for a 10-5 advantage at the eighth’s midpoint. Memphis dug deep, rallying for a three-run eighth before their two ninth-inning tallies sent the game into extras.
Memphis, however, needed one more rally for the win. Nashville pushed across a run against reliever Brandon Dickson (W, 1-0) but Dickson helped his own cause in the bottom of the frame with a bases-loaded two-run single scoring Rayder Ascanio (single) and Kramer Robertson (fielder’s choice) for the walk-off victory.
Dickson was the fifth Redbirds pitcher in a contest that began with Kwang Hyun Kim kicking off his St Louis rehab assignment. The righty surrendered two solo shots in the first of his two-inning stint, permitting two hits and retiring his last five batters faced.
Zack Thompson took his regular turn in the rotation at that point. The lefty was tagged for five runs on six hits, five walks and a hit batsman in 4 1/3 frames. Two of the five scores were generated by a long ball which brought about a pitching change.
Seth Elledge recorded three outs, permitting three tallies on two hits and three walks. Jesus Cruz could not pitch out of the bases-loaded/one-out jam inherited from Elledge, permitting a single and wild pitch driving in two runners. Cruz yielded two hits in total with five batters retired.
Dickson allowed two 10th-inning hits before his unexpected offensive contribution in the bottom of the frame. After a number of seasons in Japanese baseball, the veteran’s hit and victory were his first on American soil since starting for the Redbirds in 2012.
N💣LAN G💣RMAN!
It's a game-tying @IntlPaperCo home run! pic.twitter.com/RXrLFgWD9O
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 20, 2021
The clear pick for Player of the Day is second baseman Nolan Gorman, who went 4-for-5 with a double and two-run home run comprising two of his four RBI. The 21-year-old drew a base-on-balls in the 10th, jamming the sacks full for Dickson.
Outfielder Conner Capel reached base five times, going 3-for-3 with two walks, a double, run scored and one knocked in. Capel was caught stealing in both attempts, potentially limiting further contributions.
The final Redbird with a multi-hit effort was first baseman Juan Yepez who singled twice in three at bats with an RBI via a sac fly. Yepez was removed from the game in a double switch when Jesus Cruz entered.
Cruz was the only one of four Memphis pitchers taking an at bat who did not get a hit. Thompson doubled once in two at bats, crossing home once before Elledge went 1-for-1 with a run scored.
Defensively, Capel was credited with an outfield assist at home but third baseman Robertson had a hideous night in the field with three throwing miscues.
Friday’s game: vs. Nashville (50-43) (MIL), 7:10 pm CT, Johan Oviedo (1-3, 6.59)
Four S-Cards pitchers were blown out by the Wind Surge at Hammons Field, 14-6. Springfield (35-58) trails in the series, one game to two, with three contests on tap.
With two starters on the Injured List, Michael Brettell (L, 0-3) was pressed into action, with this his first start in 22 appearances spread between Peoria and Springfield in 2021. The right-hander went four frames, giving up six runs on 10 hits and three free passes issued.
Kevin Marnon was charged with two tallies on four hits, a plunked batter and balk during his 2 1/3 innings on the bump. The damage to his pitching line was limited by Garrett Williams who stranded Marnon’s last two base runners before later serving up a three-run bomb. The blast was one of five hits allowed, matching his five batters retired. Jacob Bosiokovic also surrendered a three-run long ball in the ninth.
Hey hey Julio! Still battling. 😤 pic.twitter.com/lVzaDE2Iyc
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) August 20, 2021
Springfield’s bats banged out 10 hits resulting in six runs but only two of them went for extra bases. Catcher Julio Rodriguez had a big night at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a double, run scored and two knocked in. Defensively he was called for catcher’s interference.
Nick Plummer had the other extra-base hit, as the center fielder doubled once in four at bats with a base-on-balls and crossed home twice. He was credited with an outfield assist at second.
Friday’s game: vs. Wichita (54-39) (MIN), 7:05 pm CT, Domingo Robles (2-8, 6.58)
The Chiefs were held to just three hits in their 4-1 defeat at Beloit. Peoria (35-58) has acquired one victory against two losses with three games remaining in the series.
First baseman Todd Lott opened the second with a blast over the left field wall, his fourth overall. Catcher Pedro Pages doubled once in four at bats while designated hitter Zade Richardson went 1-for-4, hitting right behind Lott in the five slot. Third baseman Jordan Walker worked one of his team’s two walks and stealing his seven base.
Logan Gragg (L, 2-5) was saddled with the loss despite turning in a quality start. The righty fanned six in six frames, permitting a three-run third on six hits overall.
Southpaw Sean Kealey gave up two hits and two walks, resulting in a run in his inning of work. Leonardo Taveras struck out the side in the eighth.
Friday’s game: at Beloit (44-49) (MIA), 6:35 pm CT, Mac Lardner (0-3, 4.95)
The Beach Birds never led, falling to the Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, 11-4. Palm Beach (28-61) has one victory in the first three series games with three to go.
Starter Edgar Manzo took the loss, his fourth against four wins. The righty was touched for seven scores on nine hits, walk and balk, including a solo blast, in four innings.
Luis Tena worked around a walk and hit batsman for a clean fifth but Edwin Nunez could not get through the sixth. Nunez permitted four tallies on three hits and three walks in 2/3 of an inning, with his final two base runners stranded by Nathanael Heredia. Heredia issued a free pass during his 2 1/3-inning stint.
The only Beach Bird with more than one of seven team hits was right fielder L J Jones who singled and doubled in five at bats. First baseman Jacob Buchberger and centerfielder Mike Antico both went yard, their only hits in four and three at bats, respectively.
Left fielder Elijah Cabell and catcher Aaron McKeithan both reached base twice. The former went 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored and McKeithan singled once in three at bats with a walk and run scored.
Friday’s game: at Daytona (46-47) (CIN), 7:05 pm ET/6:05 pm CT, TBA
FCL Cardinals 11 vs. FCL Nationals 3 (7 innings) – Game 1
FCL Cardinals 4 vs. FCL Nationals 3 (7 innings) – Game 2
The FCL Cardinals (17-16) swept a double-header from the FCL Nationals (13-21), cruising to an 11-3 victory in Game 1 and edging their opponents 4-3 in the second contest in Jupiter. Both games went seven innings.
The Florida Birds’ offense pounced immediately in Game 1, scoring five times. Three were unearned due to a passed ball and throwing error by the Nationals’ catcher on two swinging K’s. The onslaught brought a fresh Nats’ hurler into the game for the second inning.
The FCL Nationals responded with three tallies, closing the gap to 5-3 midway through the fourth. However, the Florida Cardinals’ next salvo was four more scores in the bottom of the frame to go up 9-3 and knock another Nats pitcher out of the game. The home team put icing on their victory cake with single runs over the next two innings.
The offense was a team-wide affair with eight of nine starters sharing 11 hits, and all eight touched home at least once. Shortstop Luis Rivas, right fielder Hansel Otamendi and first baseman Luis Rodriguez had two hits apiece. The first two doubled once with the shortstop reaching another two times via a hit-by-pitch. Rivas led the team with three runs scored while Otamendi and Rodriguez were two of six FCL Cardinals touching home once.
Otamendi knocked in two, as did catcher Roblin Heredia who went 1-for-3 with a walk, double, run scored and two RBI. Rodriguez was one of three hitters driving in one.
The contest’s seven frames were split among six hurlers, starting with Austin Love (3rd Round) who pitched a one-two-three first, fanning two in his maiden professional effort. Thomas Hart retired the next five batters, yielding two runs on two hits and two walks while being credited with his first pro victory.
Victor Villanueva went 1 1/3 innings, permitting a tally on three hits and a walk, leaving Hart’s final batter aboard. Southpaws Chris Gerard and Alex Cornwell plus Trent Baker each tossed an inning. Gerard issued a free pass with Cornwell and Baker allowing one and two hits, respectively.
In other team stats, Rivas was picked off first once and Heredia was charged with two passed balls.
In the finale, the makeup of the August 7th postponement, the home team broke onto the scoreboard first with a second inning run but the Nationals came right back with single scores in the next two frames. The Florida Birds’ two-run fourth gave them their second lead, 3-2, but the visitors answered once again with a fifth-inning tally, knotting the game at 3-3.
However, right fielder Luis Montano had the final say in the matter, launching his third bomb, and second hit of the game. Montano went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI out of the five hole.
First baseman Jose Zapata also had two of his squad’s seven hits, singling and doubling in three at bats, knocking in two. Left fielder Hansel Otamendi followed up his strong opening-game performance by going 1-for-3 with a triple and run scored. The 19-year-old Cuban is slashing a torrid .400/.478/.700/1.178 in 20 August at bats.
It was a mixed bag in the field. Second baseman Albert Inoa committed a throwing error whereas catcher Edgardo Rodriguez’ effort contained both a plus and minus. The 20-year-old backstop picked a runner off third but was also charged with a passed ball. The team completed three double plays.
Colin Schmid was the first of five FCL Cardinals pitchers to see action. Schmid yielded two runs, one earned, on five hits, including a solo shot, over 3 1/3 innings. It was the second straight start for the lefty after five relief appearances, with both starts coming in Game 2 of twin bills.
Enrique Saldana retired both batters faced, leaving Schmid’s last runner on base. But Alfredo Ruiz (W, 1-0) (BS,1) was not as effective in his second pro effort. The lefty (6th Round) recorded three outs, giving up a run on two hits and a walk.
Ben Baird tossed a one-two-three sixth, handing the ball off to Omar Sanchez for the seventh. Sanchez issued two free passes sandwiched around a single, loading the bases with two away. But the lefty notched a swinging K for his sixth save.
Friday’s game: Off
DSL Cardinals Blue 2 at DSL Twins 10
Pitching and hitting both played a role in the 10-2 defeat of the DSL Cardinals Blue (10-17) by the DSL Twins.
C-Blue hurlers yielded 14 hits but their offense generated just four. Starter Henry Gomez (L, 0-5) went four innings, permitting seven runs, earned, on 10 hits, a walk and balk.
Miguel Martinez was the first of three relievers taking the ball next. Martinez retired six batters, allowing a run on a hit, base-on-balls plus two hit batsmen. Frankely Guzman also plunked two batters, giving up two tallies on three hits and two free passes issued in one plus innings. Juan Peralta retired all three batters faced but a sac fly drove in one of three inherited runners.
By the time catcher Leonardo Bernal tripled in the sixth, the Cardinals Blue were down 7-0. Two plunked batters jammed the sacks full, leaving nowhere to put second baseman Anyelo Encarnacion after he worked a base-on-balls. Bernal trotted home, ending the shutout.
The team’s final score occurred in the ninth when Encarnacion worked another walk. Designated hitter Jose Suarez’s single advanced Encarnacion to second before a single by left fielder Jose Cordoba drove Encarnacion across home plate.
Friday’s game: vs. DSL Twins (10-17), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, TBA
DSL Cardinals Red 0 vs. DSL Rangers2 3
Multiple missed offensive opportunities resulted in the DSL Cardinals Red (12-10) dropping a 3-0 decision to the DSL Rangers2.
The bats generated six hits to go with a walk and a hit batsman but the C-Red went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, striking out 14 times. Shortstop Elias Reynoso’s double was the only one to go for extra bases and was the 17-year-old’s only hit in four at bats.
Defensively, right fielder Jeremy Ramos was charged with a fielding bobble, his second of 2021. The defense turned a 6-4-3 double play.
Ramos’ error was particularly costly as it resulted in two unearned tallies in the Rangers2’s three-run fourth. All three scores were charged to starter Engels Martinez (L, 0-2) who yielded the tallies in his fourth and final inning on the mound. The righty permitted four hits and a base-on-balls overall.
A trio of C-Blue relievers kept the game within reach the rest of the way. Darlin Saladin and Fraimin Marte pitched two innings each, Saladin issuing a free pass and Marte permitting a hit. Juan Severino worked out of a bases-loaded jam on a single, hit batsman and free pass for a run-free ninth.
Friday’s game: at DSL Rangers2 (14-13), 10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT, TBA
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