photo: Ali Sanchez (Memphis Redbirds)
The St. Louis Cardinals system struggled to an 0-7 Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is catcher Ali Sanchez, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI in Memphis’ home loss to Gwinnett.
Results from games played Friday, July 30.
The Redbirds were edged by the Stripers in a one-run game at AutoZone Park on Friday night. Starter Zack Thompson pitched five innings and gave up one run on three hits, fanned five and walked two. Connor Thomas relieved Thompson in the sixth and threw three innings of relief. The left hander surrendered seven runs on eight hits and was tagged with a blown save and the loss, his first of the season. Junior Fernandez pitched a scoreless ninth.
Memphis took the early lead, scoring in the first inning on an RBI single by Ali Sanchez, following a Juan Yepez walk and a Conner Capel single. The Redbirds increased the lead to 2-0 in the second on a solo home run by Rayder Ascanio.
Memphis took a 5-0 lead with three runs in the third inning on an RBI double by Sanchez and a two-run home run by Clint Coulter. Gwinnett finally got on the board in the fifth inning with one run scored to cut the lead to 5-1.
The Stripers continued to cut into the Memphis lead with three runs in the sixth. Gwinnett took the lead with three more runs in the seventh inning. The Redbirds scored two runs in the home half of the seventh to knot it up 7-7. Nolan Gorman drew a walk and scored on a double by Capel. Capel then scored on Sanchez’ single.
In the eighth, the Stripers regained the lead 8-7, which became the game’s final score, as the Memphis offense was stopped by the Gwinnett bullpen.
Sanchez earned our Player of the Day honots despite the loss, as he went 4-for-5 with three RBI. Capel was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
https://twitter.com/memphisredbirds/status/1421301433903820801
The Redbirds infield pulled off a triple play. Coulter had an outfield assist at home.
WE DID IT AGAIN.
Our SECOND triple play this season ‼️ pic.twitter.com/7hve0NEnTY
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) July 31, 2021
Memphis is 38-38 and is in fifth place in the Triple-A East Southeast Division, 12.5 games back of first place Durham.
Saturday’s game: vs. Gwinnett, Johan Oviedo RHP (1-0, 6.43) vs. TBD 6:35 CT.
The Cardinals were defeated by the Arkansas travelers at Hammons Field on Friday night. The Springfield offense fell behind early but fought back in the middle innings, but fell short of a victory.
Arkansas put up six runs in the first four innings, leaving the Cardinals to play catch up. Springfield finally scored in home fourth on a solo home run by Luken Baker.
The Travelers increased their lead to 7-1 in the fifth. In the sixth, the Cardinals added a second run on an RBI triple by Nick Plummer. In the seventh, Springfield put up three runs on a two-run home run by Ivan Herrera and a second solo home run by Baker. The rally stopped there as the Cardinals were not able to score further in the final two innings.
Herrera and Baker were both 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Plummer was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Nick Raposo was 2-for-4.
BACK 2 BAKER!!!
No. 2 tonight for Luken. His second two-homer game this SERIES. pic.twitter.com/tQ0HHpbjG1
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) July 31, 2021
Springfield starter Dalton Roach pitched five innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits, struck out six and walked three. He took the loss, his seventh of the season. Alex FaGalde tossed three scoreless innings of relief and Jacob Bosiokovic added a scoreless ninth.
On the base paths, Nick Dunn was caught stealing for the second time this season.
Springfield is 28-48 and stands in last place in the Double-A Central North Division, 15 games back of first place Wichita.
Saturday’s game: vs. Arkansas, Kevin McGovern LHP (1-1, 5.15) vs. Devin Sweet RHP (2-5, 5.78) 6:05 CT.
Peoria 4, Beloit 5 (10 innings)
The Chiefs were edged by the Beloit Snappers in an extra inning contest at Dozer Park on Friday night. Starter Wilfredo Pereira pitched six innings and gave up one run on four hits, fanned seven and walked one. Sean Kealey surrendered three runs in 2/3 of an inning before new arrival Kevin Marnon tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Leonardo Taveras yielded one unearned run in his two innings pitched. Kealey was tagged with a blown save, and Taveras took the loss, his fifth of the season.
Peoria scored first, with second inning on back-to-back singles by Leandro Cedeno and Todd Lott, followed by an RBI double by Aaron Antonini. The Snappers knotted it up 1-1 in the fifth, but the Chiefs answered by scoring three runs in the home half of the fifth. Francisco Hernandez singled and stole second base. Tyler Reichenborn singled to plate Hernandez. Reichenborn stole second and advanced to third on a single by Jordan Walker. Chandler Redmond singled to score Reichenborn and Walker advance to third. With Cedeno at the plate, Redmond stole second and Walker stole home as Cedeno struck out. Peoria led 4-1.
Beloit tied it up with three in the seventh. The 4-4 score remained through regulation but the Snappers scored in the 10th inning and the Chiefs failed to respond.
Antonini went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Reichenborn and Cedeno were each 2-for-5. Hernandez was 2-for-4.
On the base paths, the Chiefs were active. Hernandez stole his third base of the season, Reichenborn stole his fourth base, Redmond stole his third base, and Walker stole his second base with Peoria. In the field, Reichenborn made a throwing error and Hernandez had a fielding miscue.
Peoria is 30-46 and is in last place in the High-A Central West Division, 20 games back of first place Quad Cities.
Saturday’s game: vs. Beloit, Michael YaSenka RHP (0-7, 6.41) vs. TBD 6:35 CT.
Palm Beach 3, Tampa 7 (seven innings, Game 1)
The Cardinals fell to the Tampa Tarpons in the first game of a twin bill at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday. Starter Jose Moreno pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up one run on five hits, fanned seven and walked two. Moreno was relieved by Nathanael Heredia, who tossed 2 2/3 innings and surrendered six runs on seven hits. Heredia took the loss.
Tampa took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but the Beach Birds quickly tied it in the third. Tommy Jew drew a walk and stole second. Patrick Romeri walked. Matt Koperniak doubled to score Jew.
The score remained 1-1 until the sixth inning when the Tarpons scored four to take the lead 5-1. Palm Beach cut the lead to 5-3 with two runs in the home half of the sixth on a two-run home run by Franklin Soto. Tampa added two runs in the seventh to take home the win with a final score of 7-3.
Koperniak went 3-for-3 with an RBI. No other Cardinal had multiple hits. Soto drove in two.
On the base paths, Jew stole his 11th base of the season. Darlyn Del Villar was caught stealing for the first time. In the field, Jacob Buchberger made a fielding error. Soto had a missed catch error.
The St. Louis Cardinals system struggled to an 0-7 Friday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day is catcher Ali Sanchez, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI in Memphis’ home loss to Gwinnett.
Palm Beach 2, Tampa 6 (seven innings, Game 2)
The Cardinals were swept by Tampa in the twin bill with a loss in the nightcap by the score of 6-2. The Beach Birds offense scored first, but the pitching couldn’t hold the Tarpons.
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the second inning. Carlos Soto led off with double, advanced to third on a balk, and came home on a single by designated hitter Mike Antico. The 2021 eighth round draft pick was making his professional debut.
The Tarpons tied it up 1-1 in the third inning and took a 3-1 lead in the fifth. Palm Beach added their second run in the home half of the fifth on an RBI single by Jacob Buchberger. Tampa increased their lead to 6-2 with three runs in the sixth.
Buchberger, Antico, and Matt Koperniak each went 2-for-3. Buchberger and Antico drove in runs.
Cardinals starter Dionys Rodriguez pitched five innings, gave up three runs on six hits, and struck out four to take his second loss of the season. Luis Tena surrendered three runs in the sixth. Andre Granillo, 2021 14th round draft pick, tossed a scoreless seventh in his first professional action.
Ramon Mendoza made a fielding error.
Palm Beach is 25-48 and is in last place in the in the Low-A Southeast East Division, 14 games back of first place St. Lucie.
Saturday’s game: vs. Tampa, TBA vs. Nicio Rodriguez (1-0, 6.75), 6:30 pm ET.
FCL Cardinals, FCL Astros (cancelled)
Friday’s game between the Cardinals and the Astros was cancelled due to COVID concerns with the Astros.
Saturday’s game: at FCL Marlins, TBD vs. TBD 9:00 am CT.
DSL Cardinals Blue 1 at DSL Phillies Red 2 (seven innings)
The Cardinals Blue (6-7) were edged by the Phillies Red 2-1 on Friday morning as the Blue offense was kept scoreless until the final inning.
Anyelo Encarnacion singled and Robelyn Lopez walked. Juan Sanchez singled to score Encarnacion. The Phillies had scored one run in the first inning and a second run in the fifth.
Sanchez was 2-for-3 with an RBI. The offense scored one run on six hits. There were no extra base hits.
Cardinal starter Henry Lopez pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one. Lopez took the loss, his second of the season. Esteban Contreras and Alexander Beltre combined to toss the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Saturday’s game: at Cardinals Red, TBD vs. TBD 9:30 am CT
DSL Cardinals Red 6, DSL Phillies White 9 (seven innings)
The Cardinals Red (7-6) lost to the Phillies White 9-6 in a morning contest on Friday. Starter Engels Martinez pitched four innings and gave up three runs, two earned, on five hits, fanned four and walked one. Darlin Saladin relieved and tossed two scoreless innings. Omar Yanez started the seventh and yielded five runs, four earned, without recording an out. Americo Lugo pitched the seventh and allowed one run. Yanez took the loss, his first of the season.
The Cardinals got on the board first in the first inning. Leadoff man Elias Reynoso drew a walk. Romtres Cabrera singled, advancing Reynoso to third. Reynoso scored on the throw when Cabrera was caught stealing second base.
The Phillies tied it up in the second inning. The Cardinals regained the lead in the home half of the second with two runs on a double by number nine hitter Miguel Vargas. The Phillies knotted it up a second time with two runs in the top of the third. In the bottom of the third, Cabrera plated a run on a sac fly, and Felix Taveras doubled to plate a second run. The Cardinals led 5-3.
That score remained until the seventh inning when the Phillies put up six runs and took a 9-5 lead. The Cardinals managed to get one run back in the bottom of the seventh, when Carlos Carmona singled and later scored on a wild pitch.
Carmona was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Taveras was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Left fielder Vargas plated two.
On the base paths, Taveras stole his third base of the season and Reynoso stole his second base. Cabrera was caught stealing twice. In the field, Martinez made a throwing error and Yanez had a fielding miscue. Martinez picked a runner off first base.
Saturday’s game: vs. Cardinals Blue, TBD vs. TBD 9:30 am CT.
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