Photo: Kevin McGovern (Springfield Cardinals)
A dramatic ninth-inning rally by Palm Beach garnered the system’s only win on Sunday as the minors went 1-4. Memphis fell as did Springfield, the latter despite a strong performance by starter Kevin McGovern. Peoria dropped their double-header on the road.
Results from games played Sunday, June 27th
Memphis 3 at Toledo 9
The Redbirds’ pitching staff was ineffective, resulting in a 9-3 loss at Toledo (25-22)(DET) in the series’ finale. Memphis (18-30) lost the series, two games to four.
Angel Rondon (L, 0-4) set the tone for the staff immediately, four of the five runs charged to him occurring in the first inning. Three of the five tallies were generated by two home run balls, which were two of the five hits the righty yielded over five innings.
Brandon Dickson continued the pattern in his inning of work, with both runs allowed produced by one long ball. Tommy Parsons pitched the last two frames, permitting two runs on three hits. None of the three Memphis hurlers issued a free pass.
The Redbirds accumulated seven hits, Justin Williams being the only player with more than one hit. Williams singled twice in four at bats while Conner Capel reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with two base-on-balls and a run scored. Kramer Robertson’s only hit in four at bats was a two-run double scoring Capel and John Nogowski (hit by pitch). Capel and Nogowski both swiped a base.
Monday’s game: Off
Springfield 3 at Tulsa 6
The S-Cards’ bullpen gave up big numbers late for the second straight game, this time leading to a 6-3 walk-off defeat by the host Drillers. Springfield (16-31) dropped five of the six-game series at Tulsa (27-20)(LAD).
A day after surrendering five eighth-inning tallies in Springfield’s 8-7 loss, Edgar Escobar (L, 0-3)(BS,2) served up a grand slam in his second inning of work for a walk-off defeat. Escobar allowed two hits, two base-on-balls and a plunked batter against five outs recorded.
The right-hander replaced Evan Sisk (BS,1) in the eighth after the southpaw gave up a lead-off hit. Sisk was tagged for two scores the prior frame, both tallies unearned due to fielding errors by shortstop Delvin Perez and third baseman Brendan Donovan.
The bullpen and defensive performance marred another noteworthy start by Kevin McGovern. The 32-year-old struck out eight Drillers in six innings, permitting two hits and a base-on-balls, earning our Player of the Day nod.
Springfield’s offense shares responsibility in the loss as they squandered numerous opportunities, going 1-for-11 with runners In scoring position. Ivan Herrera went 2-for-5 with an RBI while six S-Cards batters had one hit each.
Nolan Gorman and Perez reached base twice, both players going 1-for-4 with a walk. Gorman’s hit was one of the team’s two doubles, the second baseman touching home once while Perez swiped his 12th base of the season.
Monday’s game: Off
Peoria 2 at Wisconsin 6 (7) – game one
Peoria 5 at Wisconsin 6 (7) – game two
The Chiefs were swept by the Timber Rattlers in a Sunday twin bill, 6-2 in the opener and 6-5 in the finale. Peoria (19-29) lost the series, two games to four.
Starter Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (L, 2-2) took the loss in game one, permitting four tallies on nine hits – including a two-run bomb – and two base-on-balls in four frames. Enmanuel Solano retired four batters, allowing a run on a hit and two free passes issued.
Solano’s tally scored with Jacob Schlesener on the mound. Schlesener gave a hit and two walks, resulting in a run of his own in just 2/3 of an inning.
Four Chiefs generated five hits and did not work a free pass. First baseman Brady Whalen went 2-for-3 with a solo shot, Jhon Torres and Leandro Cedeno both doubling once in three at bats. Cedeno added his 21st RBI.
Touch ‘em all!
@yaboiB_RAD98 puts us on the board with his ninth home run of the season!#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/mAXGFzvOWG
— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 27, 2021
The nightcap, a make up of a June 26th contest postponed due to rain, was tied at four all midway through the sixth. But Wisconsin (22-25)(MIL) scored a pair of runs off reliever Leonardo Taveras (L, 1-3) in the bottom of the frame, a gap Peoria could only cut in half in their final at bats.
Taveras lasted just three batters, sandwiching his only out recorded between a lead-off home run and a base-on-balls. Paul Schwendel replaced Taveras and gave up an RBI triple to his initial batter before getting out of the inning.
Rotation mates Logan Gragg and Jack Ralston split pitching duties over the initial five innings. Gragg yielded four tallies, including a two-run blast, on four hits in three frames while Ralston shut down the opposition on one hit during his two-inning stint.
Peoria outhit Wisconsin, nine to seven with the top of the Chiefs’ order garnering two hits each in four at bats: Jhon Torres, Malcolm Nunez and Brady Whalen. Nunez’ two-run home run comprised two of his three RBI’s while Whalen had a single and double plus scored one run.
This one isn’t coming back!
Malcom Nunez demolishes his third home run of the year to give us a 4-2 lead!#SoundTheAlarm x @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/xt8v5ptR6v
— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) June 27, 2021
Both of Torres’ hits went for extra bases, one of them his 15th double of 2021. The right fielder began the game with his fourth long ball, giving him three consecutive games in which he has went yard.
Monday’s game: Off
Palm Beach 9 vs Fort Myers 8
The Beach Birds mounted a last minute rally, walking off with a 9-8 victory over Fort Myers (28-20)(MIN). Palm Beach (17-31) won three of the six-game home series versus the Mighty Mussels.
The PB-Cards were down 8-4 with three outs to go but an adventuresome ninth ensued. The inning featured three hits, four walks, a wild pitch and a missed catch error by Fort Myers’ second baseman that brought Masyn Winn across home with the winning score.
Jordan Walker singled to open the frame, his third hit in four at bats, advanced a base on a wild pitch and scored right ahead of Tommy Jew on Todd Lott’s ninth double of 2021. Recent call up Edgardo Rodriguez’ single to short drove in Lott, making the score 8-7.
Right fielder Terry Fuller matched Jew by working a base-on-balls, leading to a pitching change. The new hurler issued consecutive free passes to Donivan Williams and Darlyn Del Villar, the latter walk bringing Rodriguez across home plate for an 8-8 tie. Masyn Williams reached on the missed catch error, scoring Fuller on an unearned run and walking off with the win.
Walker’s three-hit performance led his squad’s 13-hit attack, with the third baseman also working a base-on-balls and scoring the aforementioned run.
Lott, Rodriguez and Matt Koperniak had two hits apiece, Koperniak in four at bats and the other two in five. Rodriguez, Koperniak and Fuller all touched home twice, while Lott’s double and a triple by Fuller were the only hits to go for extra bases.
A rehabbing Harrison Bader singled once in two at bats with a walk and sac fly. Bader hit lead off as the team’s designated hitter.
Defensively, Fuller was credited with two outfield assists, both at second base. The team turned one 6-4-3 double play as well.
The big rally gave reliever Sean Kealey (W, 1-1) his first win in affiliated ball. The lefty tossed the visitor half of the ninth, yielding a tally on a hit batsman, single and run-scoring wild pitch.
Kealey pitched in support of Gustavo J Rodriguez who went the initial 3 2/3 frames. Rodriguez permitted four runs on four hits and five free passes issued.
Three relievers bridged the span between Rodriguez and Kealey, beginning with Edgar Manzo. Manzo recorded four outs, allowing a run on a hit and three walks and stranding an inherited runner.
Gianluca Dalatri fanned the side in his only inning on the mound but not before giving up two runs via two walks and a double. Edwin Nunez holds the distinction of being the only Palm Beach hurler to not be scored upon. Nunez retired six batters, working around two free passes issued.
Monday’s game: Off
Florida Complex League Cardinals 
The newly christened Florida Complex League gets underway on Monday, June 28th with the FCL Cardinals on the road against the FCL Nationals.
Monday’s game: at FCL Nationals, 12:00 pm ET, TBA
For more
To track the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
Now Available – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide
Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.
https://thecardinalnation.com/order-the-cardinal-nation-2021-prospect-guide-now/
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.
© 2021 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.