photo: Nolan Gorman (Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Cardinals system was 1-1 on Friday as Springfield was eliminated. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Memphis DH Nolan Gorman, went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run scored. Other standouts include Matt Lloyd, Jimmy Crooks and Matt Koperniak.
Results for games played Friday, September 20th.
On Friday, the Memphis Redbirds (34-37) defeated the Durham Bulls (36-37, TB) 8-5 at AutoZone Park. Starter Gordon Graceffo pitched six innings, allowing five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out three.
The Redbirds struck first in the first with Gavin Collins’ two-run bomb to left field.
GAVIN GO BOOM!
FIRST INNING @HueysRestaurant HOMER pic.twitter.com/EoeFEo1Ngh
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024
The Bulls responded in the top of the fifth with a solo shot to cut their deficit to 2-1.
Memphis extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth on Matt Koperniak’s RBI single.
Koperniak rakes! pic.twitter.com/ieRpyfeqTN
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024
Durham took the lead in the sixth with an RBI single, a solo homer, and a two-run home run.
The home team regained the lead in the seventh on César Prieto’s two-RBI double and Ramon Mendoza’s RBI single.
PRIETO PLAYS PONG pic.twitter.com/7q67C8lTVn
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024
The Redbirds continued to extend their lead in the eighth on Nolan Gorman’s two-RBI double.
Embrace chaos! Gorman doubles! pic.twitter.com/AnuLiRT6TB
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) September 21, 2024
Gorman went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run scored. Koperniak was 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored. Collins hit 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored. The Redbirds totaled eight runs on 11 hits with six walks and six strikeouts.
Andre Granillo pitched two scoreless innings, earning his fourth win this season, and yielding a walk while striking out four. Chris Roycroft threw a scoreless inning to earn his sixth save this season while striking out one. Memphis allowed five runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out eight.
Saturday’s game: vs. Durham, LHP Zach Thompson vs. TBD 3:05 CT.
The Springfield Cardinals (1-2) were eliminated in the Division Series by the Arkansas Travelers (2-1, SEA) after their 6-5 loss on Friday at Hammons Field. Starter Trent Baker threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one.
The Travelers struck first in the first with a solo homer and extended their lead in the second on a two-run home run. Arkansas took a 5-0 lead in the top of the fifth when they hit an RBI double and an RBI single.
The Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Nathan Church’s RBI single, Matt Lloyd’s three-run moonshot right-center field, and Jacob Buchberger’s RBI single.
HIS NAME IS MATT LLOYD. THREE RUN SHOT. WE ARE ALIVE. pic.twitter.com/eCWtNfqkck
— Springfield Cardinals (@Sgf_Cardinals) September 21, 2024
The visitors regained the lead in the sixth with a solo shot to make the score 6-5.
Andrew Marrero pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four. Ryan Shreve threw a scoreless 1/3 of an inning. Jack Ralston took his first loss this postseason, yielding three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two.
Nathanael Heredia pitched two scoreless innings, surrendering a hit while striking out three. Matt Svanson threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk. Springfield allowed six runs on 14 hits while walking four and striking out 10.
Lloyd went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored. Jimmy Crooks was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Noah Mendlinger hit 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. The Cardinals totaled five runs on 10 hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.
Saturday’s game: No game, the season has concluded.
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
Cardinals Pitching Prospect Ian Bedell Activated at Triple-A
Now Available – 2024 Cardinals Prospect Guide
The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide is back for its seventh year. It includes 282 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of all-new player scouting reports. Order your PDF or printed book copy today!
All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!
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.
Ben Kinealy can be reached at bkinealy@mail.bradley.edu.
© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or republished.