photo: Nelfy Ynfante (Jose Dilone/Facebook)
On Monday, the Florida Complex League Cardinals won 6-2. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, starter Nelfy Ynfante, threw 4 2/3 one-run innings with five strikeouts. Other standouts include Antoni Cuello and Samil De La Rosa. We also set up Tuesday’s full system schedule.
Results from the game played Monday, May 20, 2024.
Memphis – off
Fourth-place Triple-A Memphis (24-21) heads to International League East rival Durham (TB) riding a three-game winning streak compiled during last week’s home series in which the Redbirds went 5-2 versus seventh-place Gwinnett (21-24) (ATL).
Tuesday’s game: at ninth-place Durham (18-27), 6:35 pm ET/5:35 pm CT, RH Gordon Graceffo (4-3, 4.32) vs. TBA
Springfield – off
First-place Double-A Springfield (22-16) remains at home looking to rebound from a disappointing 2-4 series against first place (Texas League South) Midland (OAK). This week the S-Cards host fourth-place Tulsa (LAD).
Tuesday’s game: vs Tulsa (16-21), 6:35 pm CT, RHP Trent Baker (2-2, 6.75) vs. RHP Kendall Williams (1-4, 9.45)
Peoria – off
Sixth-place A-Advanced Peoria (13-26), losers of five straight, remains last in the Midwest League West standings after a 1-5 home series versus Midwest League East foe West Michigan (DET). This week, the Chiefs host second-place division rival Cedar Rapids (MIN).
Tuesday’s game: vs Cedar Rapids (24-14), 6:35 pm CT, LH Pete Hansen (0-3, 4.42) vs. TBA
Palm Beach – off
The hot Beach Birds 23-16) have gone 7-3 over their last 10 games, lifting them into first place in the Florida State League East Division. That 10-game mark includes a just finished 5-1 home series against fourth-place St Lucie (NYM).
Tuesday’s game: at second place (West Division) Lakeland (25-24) (DET), 6:30 pm ET/5:30 pm CT, RH Gerardo Salas (2-1, 1.42) vs. TBA
FCL Cardinals 6 vs. FCL Mets 2
Starter Nelfy Infante fanned five over 4 2/3 innings and the Cardinals’ offense capitalized on a key Mets miscue, topping the FCL Mets (6-5) 6-2 at home. The victory by the Florida Complex League Cardinals (7-5) moved them into second place over the third-place Mets in the FCL East Division standings.
Ynfante, our Player of the Day, yielded one run, earned, on three hits and two base-on-balls. The righty fell one out shy of qualifying for his second win of the season, turning over a 1-1 tie to the bullpen.
Venezuelan reliever Miguel Martinez (W, 1-0) recorded the fifth’s last out and was the pitcher of record when his teammates took the lead in the home half of the frame. The right-hander was tagged for an unearned tally over 1 1/3 innings, with the score coming on a two-out walk, stolen base and fielding error by third baseman Yancel Guerrero. It was Martinez’ first FCL win.
Antoni Cuello pitched the final three scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing three hits plus a free pass. His effort earned the righty his first save of the season.
The offense matched their opponents’ six hits but jumped on a Mets’ error in the fifth to go up 3-1. Jonathan Mejia’s sac fly increased the lead to 4-1 by the fifth’s end.
The pivotal frame began with center fielder Yaisel Ramos sending a bunt single down the third base line, prior to him advancing to second base via a balk. A ground out moved Ramos to third before number nine batter Yancel Guerrero got aboard on a hit-by-pitch.
Designated hitter Samil De La Rosa’s single to left brought both Ramos and Guerrero across home plate, with De La Rosa ending up on third thanks to a throwing error by the opposing catcher. Meija then sent one deep enough to left to score the runner from third.
The only FCL Cardinal with a multi-hit performance was clean-up hitter Jose Suarez who singled twice in four at bats, touching home twice. Mejia garnered his team’s sixth single, going 1-for-3 with the aforementioned sac fly. De La Rosa had two RBI.
Defensively, one of second baseman Mejia’s throws went awry, his third bobble, to go with Guerrero’s first error of 2024.
Tuesday’s game: at fifth place (last) FCL Astros (2-10), 12:00 pm ET/11:00 am CT, LH Packy Naughton (Memphis rehab) vs. TBA
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