photo: Genesis Cabrera (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Across the St. Louis Cardinals system, it was a rough 1-4 Tuesday evening, including three ninth-inning losses. However, Memphis’ pen came through, protecting the best start of the season for Player of the Day Genesis Cabrera, who allowed two runs over six innings.
Results from games played Tuesday, May 21st.
Genesis Cabrera tossed six solid frames as Memphis (22-23) downed Nashville in the road series opener, 4-2.
Cabrera (W, 2-3) limited the Sounds to single tallies in the third and fifth and permitted just four hits and a walk, including a solo shot. The lefty struck out six with four ground- to seven fly- ball outs.
The pen, shaky in recent games, came through Tuesday. Dominic Leone faced the minimum in the seventh, fanning two, followed by Jesus Cruz who matched his effort the next frame. Chris Beck tossed a one-two-three ninth, striking out one, for his fourth save.
The Redbirds trailed 2-1 going into the seventh when they pushed across three runs on four of the team’s nine hits. Rangel Ravelo and John Nogowski each went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Ravelo doubling and walking once with a run scored. The Redbirds were busy on the base paths as Drew Robinson stole two bases while Max Schrock and Lane Thomas each swiped one.
Wednesday’s game: at Nashville (17-27) (TEX), 6:35 pm CT, Daniel Ponce de Leon (3-2, 3.96)
The S-Cards’ bullpen could not hold a ninth-inning lead as they dropped a 3-2 decision to Tulsa at Hammons Field. The home team has lost both of the three-game series’ first two contests.
Springfield (18-27) led 2-1 with three outs to go but Kodi Whitley issued two free passes followed by a two-run double for his second loss in as many decisions and first blown save. It was the right-hander’s only inning of work.
Johan Oviedo used six strikeouts to minimize the damage caused by three hits and four walks resulting in one tally allowed in five innings. Junior Fernandez fanned five in two innings before Roel Ramirez tossed a clean eighth.
The home team was held to just five hits, one each by five Springfield players. Both scores were generated when Dylan Carlson went yard with Irving Lopez (single) aboard in the sixth. It was the centerfielder’s eighth long ball of 2019.
Wednesday’s game: vs. Tulsa (23-21) (LAD), 11:10 am CT, Williams Perez (4-2, 5.70)
The Beach Birds fell prey to the long ball in their 3-1 walk-off loss at Lakeland. Palm Beach (27-17) will try to prevent a three-game sweep by the Flying Tigers when the two teams meet on Wednesday.
C.J. Saylor (L, 2-2) worked around a single for a clean eighth but gave up another single plus a home run to his first two batters faced the next frame. That spoiled a fine start by Perry DellaValle, who held Lakeland to an unearned run on four hits and three walks over seven. DellaValle fanned seven and threw 61 of his 93 pitches for strikes.
The PB-Cards’ sole tally came in the seventh on three of their four total hits plus one of their two walks. Scott Hurst and Dennis Ortega generated back-to-back singles with one gone before a free pass issued to Lars Nootbar jammed the sacks full for Rayder Ascanio. Ascanio came through with a single up the middle to score Hurst but neither Jose Martinez nor Justin Toerner could come through for more runs.
Wednesday’s game: at Lakeland (19-25) (DET), 6:30 pm ET, Tommy Parsons (2-0, 3.38)
Peoria 8 at Wisconsin 12 (7) – Game 1
Peoria 1 at Wisconsin 2 (8) – Game 2
The Chiefs lost a twin bill at Wisconsin on Tuesday, with one a slugfest and the other a pitchers’ duel. Peoria (19-24) has won one of the series’ first three games with two to play.
Coming in with a 1.66 ERA, Diego Cordero had his worst outing of 2019 to date in the opener. The 21-year old took his third loss in five decisions after permitting six runs on nine hits and three walks over five innings. One of the nine hits was a two-run home run. The righty threw a wild pitch and was called for a balk.
Thomas St. Clair was charged with six tallies on six hits and a base-on-balls in just 2/3 of an inning. With Fabian Blanco on the mound, three of the runs scored via a two-run single and wild pitch.
Catcher Alexis Wilson swung the big bat, generating a perfect 4-for-4 output while crossing home once. The only other Chief with more than one of the team’s 10 hits was Brady Whalen who singled and doubled in four at bats, scored once and knocked in four.
Pitching took center stage in the finale as the two squads combined for just six hits. Michael Brettell tossed 5 1/3 strong frames in his second start of seven appearances to date. The Canadian limited the Timber Rattlers to a run on two hits and a free pass with five K’s.
The game-tying run charged to Brettell scored under Freddy Pacheco’s watch after the latter allowed a two-single in the sixth. Pacheco (L, 0-1) (BS,2) issued four free passes in 1 2/3, one intentional, and was charged with the unearned score when Franyel Casadilla yielded an run-scoring single to his first batter for the walk-off loss.
Wednesday’s game: at Wisconsin (19-23) (MIL), 6:35 pm CT, Colin Schmid (1-0, 0.00)
Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Interview – Palm Beach’s Edgar Gonzalez
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. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!
© 2019 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.