photo: Josh Kross (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The St. Louis Cardinals minor league system was 1-3 on Sunday. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Peoria’s Josh Kross, walked and blasted a go-ahead two-run home run to power the win. Other standouts include Max Rajcic, Braden Davis, Tre Richardson III, Blake Aita, Heriberto Caraballo and Yadiel Batista.
Results for games played on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Memphis Redbirds 4 at Iowa Cubs 18
The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds were clobbered in Sunday’s road series finale with the Iowa Cubs.
As scheduled starter Brycen Mautz was called up to the major leagues, Ian Bedell made his first start of 2026 for Memphis as the opener. Bedell threw one inning and allowed three runs on three hits, two walks, and one strikeout.
Newly arrived from Peoria, Jason Savacool surrendered six runs and recorded just two outs in relief of Bedell, and took the loss. Hancel Rincon struck out two and gave up a run across 2 ⅓ innings. Max Rajcic fired two scoreless innings and fanned two. Chris Roycroft followed with a shutout seventh frame. Scott Blewett was torched for seven runs while securing two outs in the eighth. Ryan Murphy allowed a run and recorded the final out of the eighth.
The Redbirds scored early with a three-run top of the first inning. Lars Nootbaar hit a leadoff single and moved to second on a Joshua Báez walk. With one out, Blaze Jordan ripped a double to bring Nootbaar and Báez home. Jordan came around to score on the play as the catcher made a throwing error.
The Cubs responded with a nine-run bottom of the second inning, a run in the fourth and an eight-spot in the eighth to pull ahead 18-3.
Memphis looked for a miraculous comeback in the ninth inning. Matt Koperniak began the frame with an infield single. With two outs, Colton Ledbetter pinch-hit for Nootbaar and ripped a double to bring Koperniak home for the fourth Memphis run. Memphis was unable to rally further.
The Redbirds scored four runs on six hits. Jordan doubled, scored a run, and notched two RBI. Ledbetter doubled and drove in a run. In the fourth game with Memphis of his rehab assignment, Nootbaar singled twice and scored a run in the DH slot and batted leadoff.
On the bases, Nelson Velázquez stole his third base of 2026.
The Redbirds did not commit an error.
Memphis is 30-21 on the season following the series split in Iowa. They are tied with Nashville for first place in the International League West Division. The Redbirds are off Monday as they travel to Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska, for a six-game series with the Omaha Storm Chasers, beginning Tuesday.
Tuesday’s game: at Omaha (KC). Pitching probables have not yet been announced. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM CT.
Springfield Cardinals 1 at Arkansas Travelers 3
The Double-A Springfield Cardinals lost a close contest to the Travelers in Arkansas in Sunday’s series finale.
Braden Davis started his ninth game for Springfield. The left-hander pitched a season-best 5 ⅔ scoreless innings on three hits, no walks, and a season-high 10 strikeouts.
Braden Davis: LOCKED IN. A season high ten strikeouts over 5.2 shutout innings tonight for Double-A Springfield. pic.twitter.com/ZKbMsFfEpr
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) May 25, 2026
Randel Clemente yielded a run over 1 ⅓ innings in relief of Davis and was tagged with a blown save. Mason Burns surrendered two runs and recorded just two outs, taking the loss. D.J. Carpenter recorded the final two outs of the eighth.
The Cardinals struck first with a run in the top of the third inning. Dakota Harris drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Harris stole third and scored on a two-out single from Miguel Ugueto.
Dropped it in there! Miguel Ugueto drives in the game's firts run with a single. pic.twitter.com/6PCzDHkGUs
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) May 25, 2026
Arkansas tied the game in the home sixth and grabbed a 3-1 lead with a pair of runs in the eighth. Springfield was unable to rally in the loss.
The Cardinals scored one run on seven hits. Ugueto singled and drove in the team’s lone run. Trey Paige was 2-for-4 with a triple. Harris walked, singled, and scored. The lineup drew just two walks and struck out 11 times.
On the bases, Harris swiped two bags to increase his season total to 10 but was caught stealing second base. Ugueto was picked off first base.
The Cardinals did not commit an error.
Springfield is 18-27 on the season after taking two of six from Arkansas. They reside in last place in the Texas League North Division. The Cardinals will begin a six-game series at Route 66 Stadium with the Wichita Wind Surge on Monday.
Monday’s game: vs. Wichita (MIN). RHP Brandt Thompson (2-2, 3.82) vs. RHP Jose Oliveras (0-3, 6.38) 4:35 PM CT.
Peoria Chiefs 5, Cedar Rapids Kernels 3
On Sunday, the High-A Peoria Chiefs won their fourth consecutive contest over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Dozer Park to clinch the series win.
Blake Aita made his ninth start for the Chiefs. The right-hander threw five innings and allowed one run on two hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts.
Blake Aita was money tonight 💸
5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K pic.twitter.com/wBIiafJVLR
— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) May 25, 2026
Bobby Olsen gave up a run across two innings in relief of Aita. Jawilme Ramírez yielded a run in an inning of work. Ramírez was tagged with a blown save but also was awarded his second win. Patrick Galle tossed a scoreless ninth inning and collected his second save with Peoria.
Cedar Rapids plated a run in the top of the first inning.
Peoria answered with a three-run home second inning. Cade McGee drew a leadoff walk. Following back-to-back strikeouts, Jose Cordoba lined a single. Tre Richardson III emptied the bags with his fourth home run of the season, a three-run blast.
Tre Richardson III 💣
Peoria leads it 3-1 after TRIII's fourth homer of the year! pic.twitter.com/fEUA5cZHs7
— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) May 25, 2026
The Kernels narrowed the lead to one with a run in the sixth and tied the game at three in the eighth.
Peoria regained the lead in the home eighth. Jalin Flores walked and scored on a two-run home run from Josh Kross, his sixth long ball of 2026, to move the Chiefs ahead 5-3.
KROSS THE BOSS.
Josh Kross puts the Chiefs in front with a two-run homer!
PEO 5 | CR 3 pic.twitter.com/El5wWjnYwO
— Peoria Chiefs (@peoriachiefs) May 25, 2026
Galle stranded the tying runs on base in the ninth to seal the win for the Chiefs.
Peoria scored five runs on six hits. Richardson III drove in three runs on a home run. Kross walked and belted a go-ahead two-run home run. McGee walked, doubled and scored. Cordoba, Won-Bin Cho, and Jack Gurevitch singled.
On the bases, Cordoba swiped his ninth bag of the season. Cho was picked off first base.
The Chiefs did not commit an error.
Peoria is 20-24 on the season after taking four of six from Cedar Rapids. They reside in fifth place in the Midwest League West Division. The Chiefs are off Monday as they head to Neuroscience Group Field in Appleton, Wisconsin, for a seven-game set with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, beginning Tuesday.
Tuesday’s game: at Wisconsin (MIL). Pitching probables have not yet been announced. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM CT.
Palm Beach Cardinals 4 at St. Lucie Mets 5
The Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals’ ninth-inning comeback fell just short in Sunday’s road series finale for their third consecutive loss.
Jacob Odle made his seventh start in his ninth appearance for Palm Beach. The right-hander pitched three innings and allowed one run on two hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts. Despite taking the loss, Odle holds a sharp 1.91 ERA.
Kaden Echeman yielded two runs over two innings in relief of Odle. Left-hander Yadiel Batista struck out four across two scoreless innings. Hunter Kublick surrendered two runs and recorded just one out in the eighth. Liam Best secured the final two outs of the eighth.
St. Lucie grabbed a 3-0 lead with a run in the home third and two in the fourth.
Palm Beach entered the run column in the sixth. Brayden Smith hit his second triple of the season and scored on a single from Michael Dattalo.
In the seventh, Heriberto Caraballo crushed his third home run of the season, a solo shot, to move Palm Beach closer at 3-2.
The Mets plated two runs in the eighth to extend the lead to 5-2.
Down to their last three outs, the Cardinals looked to rally. Yordalin Peña lined a leadoff single. Caraballo doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Ryan Mitchell walked to load the bases with two away. Ryan Weingartner scorched a ground-rule double to score Peña and Caraballo and narrow the gap to 5-4. Smith flied out to center field to end the game.
The Cardinals scored four runs on 11 hits. Caraballo was a perfect 3-for-3, including a walk, two runs scored, a double, and a solo home run. Weingartner was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Dattalo hit three singles and notched an RBI. Daniel Rojas recorded a double.
On the bases, Weingartner was caught stealing second base.
The Cardinals did not commit an error.
Palm Beach is 24-21 after taking just two of six from St. Lucie. They reside in second place in the Florida State League East Division, three games behind Jupiter. The Cardinals are off Monday and will head home to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for a six-game series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, beginning Tuesday.
Tuesday’s game: vs. Lakeland (DET). Pitching probables have not yet been announced. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 PM CT.
FCL Cardinals (off day)
The Florida Complex League Cardinals were off Sunday, as they prepared for two road contests with the FCL Astros on Monday.
The Cardinals will look to rebound following a 14-5 loss to the FCL Mets in seven innings on Saturday.
The FCL Cardinals are 5-9 on the season.
Monday’s games: at FCL Astros. RHP Branneli Franco (8.22 ERA) vs. TBA. RHP Andrew Dutkanych vs. TBA. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 AM CT.
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