photo: Nolan Gorman and Scott Hurst (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
In seven Tuesday games across the St. Louis Cardinals system, Memphis took the lone win behind big performances by Nolan Gorman, Scott Hurst and Matthew Liberatore.
Results from the games played Tuesday, August 24th.
A first-inning offensive explosion launched Memphis (46-51) over Columbus, 8-4, in the home series opener.
All eight Redbirds tallies came that inning, with the big blows from second baseman Nolan Gorman and center fielder Scott Hurst, who both went yard. Third baseman Kramer Robertson led off with a single, immediately followed by Gorman’s ninth long ball with Memphis and 20th overall this season.
https://twitter.com/memphisredbirds/status/1430326633546797058
Designated hitter Alec Burleson worked a one-out walk, advancing to third on left fielder Clint Coulter’s double. Right fielder Nick Plummer walked in his first Triple-A plate appearance, loading the bases for shortstop Evan Mendoza. Mendoza was issued the third free pass of the inning, bringing about both a run scored by Burleson and a pitching change.
It was more of the same, however, with another Clipper hurler on the mound as number eight hitter Brendan Donovan worked a base-on-balls, driving in Coulter. Hurst then lined a pitch just inside the right field foul pole. It was the third grand slam by a Redbirds player this season and his only hit in four at bats.
OH MOMMY, IT'S A GRAND SALAMI‼️
Scott Hurst's @IntlPaperCo home run makes it an 8️⃣-run first inning! pic.twitter.com/85E1kuoJBv
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 25, 2021
After a four-hit first, Memphis generated only three more hits over the game’s balance. Gorman was the only player with more than one, going 2-for-5 with the aforementioned two-run home run and his third stolen base. Plummer was hitless in two at bats in the six slot with a hit-by-pitch (by former Redbird Kevin Herget), free pass and run scored.
The first contained more than sufficient offense for starter Matthew Liberatore (W, 6-7), who pitched seven strong frames. The lefty gave up eight hits and two walks, resulting in three scores, two earned.
Brandon Dickson had a shaky eighth, allowing three hits and a hit batsman generating a run while collecting just two outs. Kodi Whitley limited the damage by stranding the bases full. The righty retired all four batters faced, striking out two, for his third save.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Columbus (44-51) (CLE), 7:10 pm CT, Zack Thompson (2-6, 6.63)
Springfield 1 at Northwest Arkansas 18
It was a long night for Springfield (35-62) who absorbed an 18-1 thumping at Northwest Arkansas.
The highlight of Kevin McGovern’s night was a scoreless first. The lefty surrendered three long balls accounting for four of 11 scores charged to him in two plus frames. McGovern (L, 1-3) allowed 11 hits and two walks in all, his final two runners scoring under fellow ex-independent ball pitcher Kevin Marnon’s watch.
Marnon recorded four outs, while permitting five more runs on five hits and three walks including a two-run long ball. Kyle Leahy allowed his only inherited runner to score plus two more on four hits in 3 2/3 frames. All three runs scored were generated by yet another home run. In his fist appearance off the injured list, Salvador Justo issued a free pass but was not scored upon in the eighth.
The S-Cards’ offense accumulated six hits, with their only tally in the third. Center fielder David Vinsky was issued a leadoff free pass. Delvin Perez’ single moved Vinsky to second before a throwing error by the Naturals’ second baseman put Vinsky at third.
After Perez was caught stealing, second baseman Nick Dunn lifted a fly ball deep enough to left to score Vinsky. In addition to the RBI, Dunn drew two of four of Springfield’s free passes. Perez was one of three S-Cards singling twice in four at bats along with right fielder Matt Koperniak and third baseman Moises Castillo.
Wednesday’s game: at Northwest Arkansas (50-46) (KC), 7:05 pm CT, Michael Brettell (0-3, 7.02)
Peoria vs. South Bend – suspended
The series opener between Peoria (37-59) and South Bend was suspended with two out in the top of the sixth and the Chiefs trailing 7-2 after a five-run sixth by the Cubs. The contest is scheduled to be completed as game one of a twin bill on Wednesday, August 25th.
Wednesday’s games: vs. South Bend (42-53) (CHC). Game 1 – 5:00 pm CT, TBA/Logan Gragg (2-5, 5.35)
Palm Beach 7 at Jupiter 8 (11 innings) – Game 1
Palm Beach 0 vs. Jupiter 4 (7 innings) – Game 2
Palm Beach (30-64) was swept in a twin bill with Jupiter, losing the opener 8-7 in 11 frames then dropping the nightcap, 4-0, in seven.
The initial contest completed the July 25th contest suspended with one away in the top of the fifth and Palm Beach trailing 1-0. Ludwin Jimenez started the July game, striking out six over four frames and yielding a run on two hits.
Edwin Nunez took the mound when play resumed but lasted just 2/3 of an inning. The 19-year-old was charged with three scores on a hit, two walks and a hit batsman. His final two runners crossed under Luis Tena’s watch. Tena permitted two of three inherited runners to score, giving up three hits in all in 1 1/3 frames.
Inohan Paniagua held the Hammerheads scoreless over 2 2/3 innings, permitting one hit. The righty struck out two.
Andre Granillo (L, 0-1) left Paniagua’s only runner on second in the ninth but was not able to keep Jupiter off the board in either the 10th or 11th. The 14th-round pick in the recent First-Year Player Draft was given a 5-4 10th-inning lead but allowed the opposition to knot the game at five all. After his teammates handed the right-hander a two-run advantage, Granillo gave up three scores for the walk-off loss.
Palm Beach outhit Jupiter 14 to nine but went 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Three Beach Birds garnered two hits apiece: Mike Antico, L.J. Jones and Carlos Soto. Soto claimed one of the biggest hits, a three-run bomb with Osvaldo Tovalin (single) and Antico (single) aboard. The home run tied the game at 4-4, eventually sending it into extras.
Antico’s second hit produced as well. The designated hitter tripled to begin the 11th, scoring Tovalin who began the frame at second. A sac fly by Soto drove in Antico for the PB-Cards’ last score.
The Beach Birds bats did not get going in the finale, managing just four singles over seven frames. Shortstop Mack Chambers went 2-for-3 in the two slot but committed one of two Palm Beach errors, along with second baseman Noah Mendlinger.
Dionys Rodriguez (L, 3-4) struck out 10 in five innings, permitting two runs on three hits and a free pass issued. Levi Prater recorded six outs, yielding two unearned scores on two hits and a base-on-balls.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Jupiter (50-45) (MIA), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, Edgar Manzo (4-4, 4.81)
FCL Cardinals 4 at FCL Marlins 6
The FCL Cardinals (18-18) were outhit and outscored, dropping a 6-4 decision to the FCL Marlins (17-21).
The Florida Birds struck first with a two-run second but their hosts responded with two runs of their own in the home half of the third. Both tallies came off starter Jose Davila. Davila fanned six in four plus frames, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks.
The Cardinals went back up 4-2 at the fifth’s midpoint but the Marlins answered with three scores in their half of the frame. Chris Gerard (L, 0-1) recorded three outs, permitted two runs on two hits and a walk while allowing his inherited runner to touch home plate.
Enrique Saldana faced the minimum in his only inning of work but Alfredo Ruiz was charged with an unearned tally on three hits in the seventh. Roy Garcia tossed a one-two-three eighth.
The FCL Cardinals’ eight-hit attack was spearheaded by designated hitter Luis Montano who went 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and stolen base. The only one of his teammates with a multi-hit performance was shortstop Jeremy Rivas. Rivas singled twice in five at bats, crossing home once.
Wednesday’s games: at FCL Nationals (16-22). Game 1 – 10:00 am ET/9:00 am CT, TBA/TBA
DSL Cardinals Blue 3 at DSL Phillies Red 4
The DSL Cardinals Blue (10-20) could not hold a late lead as they were clipped by the DSL Phillies Red (16-14), 4-3, in walk-off fashion.
The C-Blue led 3-0 with three outs to go but two pitchers could not successfully navigate the ninth. Alexander Beltre was touched for two runs, earned, on two hits and a base-on-balls with four outs recorded. Beltre departed with two in scoring position and one out in favor of Alejandro Cervantes.
Cervantes (L, 2-2) (BS,2) yielded a two-run single to his first batter followed by a two-out triple, tying the game at three all. An intentional free pass proceeded a throwing error by third baseman Javier Boliva on a grounder to third resulted in the walk off defeat.
The ninth-inning meltdown spoiled a fine start by Hancel Rincon, who tossed five scoreless frames, allowing just four hits and striking out seven. Randel Clemente went two innings, permitting a hit and two walks.
Two of the three tallies scored by C-Blue batters were unearned due to three Phillies Red bobbles. The visitors matched their hosts’ nine hits, led by right fielder Jose Suarez, who went 3-for-3 with his first double and a walk. The 17-year-old was picked off first base once.
Shortstop Maycol Justo and designated hitter Justin Guerrero both singled twice in four at bats, with Justo crossing home once. Catcher Leandro Bernal went 1-for-4 with a double, run scored and RBI but committed his team’s only miscue.
Wednesday’s game: off
DSL Cardinals Red 3 vs. DSL Phillies White 11
The DSL Cardinals Red (14-12) were thumped at home by the DSL Phillies White (18-10), 11-3.
Starter Brayan Ramirez took the loss, his second against no wins, after yielding six runs on two hits, four walks and a plunked batter in three plus frames. Americo Lugo served up a two-run bomb, one of two hits allowed in two innings. Lugo also hit a batter and let Ramirez’ last two runners score.
Engels Martinez and Samuel Fabian each pitched a clean inning, the only C-Red hurlers to not be scored upon. Juan Severino and Augusto Calderon both went a frame, Severino giving up a run on two hits and Calderon surrendering a two-run blast.
The C-Red mustered nine hits with only one going for extra bases. Designated hitter Jose Rodriguez singled and doubled in four at bats, scoring once and shortstop Marcelo Perez went 2-for-5 at the top of the order.
Wednesday’s game: off
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