photo: Alex Reyes (Springfield Cardinals)
Alex Reyes’ eye-popping start helped Memphis to one of three wins on Thursday. Jake Woodford and Landon Beck tossed strong efforts for Springfield while Palm Beach put one in the win column as well. Peoria, however, fell despite a noteworthy performance by first-time starter Alex Fagalde.
Results from the games played Thursday, May 24th.
Dominating performances by starter Alex Reyes and center fielder Oscar Mercado spring-boarded the Redbirds to a 7-4 home win over the Dodgers (28-16). Memphis (29-19) took the series, three-games-to-one, and increased its American Southern Division lead over second-place Nashville to four games.
Making what is expected to be his last rehab start before being activated by St. Louis, Player of the Day Reyes (W, 1-0) confounded the American Northern Division leaders over seven frames, striking out 13. The right-hander yielded just one first-inning walk and a single to open the third. Reyes needed 90 pitches, throwing 62 of them for strikes.
Mercado was his offensive counterpart, accounting for five of his team’s tallies by going 4-for-5 with two runs scored, three RBI and his 11th stolen base. Three Redbirds had two hits apiece: Randy Arozarena, Max Schrock and Luke Voit. Arozarena singled and doubled in three at bats with a base-on-balls, touching home twice, while Schrock and Voit both went 2-for-5 with one driven in. Carson Kelly began his rehab with an 0-for-2 effort, although the catcher did work a free pass.
Sean Gilmartin did not have a good night on the bump, surrendering four runs on three hits and a walk while retiring two. The capper was a three-run bomb by former St. Louis farmhand Breyvic Valera. Preston Guilmet recorded the final four outs for his ninth save.
For more: Check out TCN’s Jeremiah Graham’s article with more information of Reyes’ performance, direct from AutoZone Park.
Friday’s game: vs. Colorado Springs (26-19) (MIL), 7:05 pm CT, Daniel Poncedeleon (3-2, 2.76)
Springfield 4 at Corpus Christi 0 (10)
The S-Cards capitalized on a 10th-inning miscue to down the Hooks, 4-0, and salvage the third and final game of the road series. The win by Springfield (24-23), combined with a loss by Tulsa (LAD), moves the S-Cards back into first place, a half game ahead of the Drillers.
After being blanked on four hits through regulation, Springfield’s scoring floodgates opened when Evan Mendoza’s sac bunt resulted in a throwing error by the opposing pitcher that put two on. The Cards pounced for four runs on five singles although only one of the tallies was earned. Granden Goetzman and Lane Thomas garnered two hits each, as Goetzman singled and doubled in four at bats while Thomas went 2-for-5 with one driven in.
Landon Beck worked around two hits over the ninth and 10th for his second win in three decisions. Beck pitched in support of Jake Woodford, who scattered six hits and two walks over the initial eight run-free frames. It was the 21-year-old’s third consecutive start of at least six innings pitched.
Friday’s game: at San Antonio (30-17) (SD), 7:05 pm CT, Connor Jones (2-1, 5.14)
The Beach Birds survived a late scoring surge to top the Threshers, 7-6, in the home series opener. Second-place Palm Beach (26-18) trails Jupiter (MIA) by two games in the South Division.
In the back-and-forth contest, the home team struck first via a two-run second but Clearwater answered, as their four-run third drove PB-Cards’ starter Evan Kruczynski from the game. Kruczynski gave up five hits and a walk over 2 1/3, his last run scoring with Austin Sexton on the bump.
Sexton (W, 1-1) stranded two of three inherited runners, permitting a bases-loaded free pass to his first batter but just one hit over the next 3 2/3. Jacob Patterson held down the fort during his 1 2/3-inning stint but Jesus Cruz was charged with two runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Both runners scored under Will Latcham’s watch but Latcham did get his fourth save.
Down 4-2 after three, Palm Beach pushed across five runs the next inning although only three of the five tallies were earned. Danny Hudzina and Chase Pinder each had two hits, as Hudzina singled and doubled in three at bats with a walk and two runs scored. Pinder went 2-for-4 with a run scored, two knocked in and his first stolen base. Johan Mieses was one of four Beach Birds with one hit apiece, as the right fielder opened the second with his sixth home run of 2018.
Friday’s game: vs. Clearwater (18-27) (PHI), 6:30 pm ET, Jake Walsh (A-Advanced debut)
The Chiefs squandered fine pitching efforts by starter Alex Fagalde and their bullpen, falling to the Snappers, 1-0. Peoria (24-20) split the four-game set and is in a three-way tie for first with Clinton (SEA) and Quad Cities (HOU) in the Western Division.
The only blemish against Fagalde (L, 0-1) over six strong frames was a first-inning home run. It was one of five hits and one walk yielded by the righty, who fanned six. Fabian Blanco and Levi MaVorhis each went an inning. Blanco used two strikeouts to navigate around a hit and two walks.
Peoria managed just five hits, with Zach Kirtley’s double the only one good for extra bases.
Friday’s game: at Quad Cities (25-21) (HOU), 6:35 pm CT, Evan Guillory (4-2, 2.90)
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