photo: Alec Burleson (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
The 4-2 Cardinals lost 2 of 3 in a series against the last-place Marlins, which they followed up by sweeping the Giants. Alec Burleson led the team with a 1.276 OPS during the week. Our rewind feature highlights notable debuts in Cardinals history from June 17-23.
Game recaps.
Monday, June 17, 2024 – Cardinals 7 at Marlins 6 (12 innings)
The Cardinals edged the Marlins in a 12-inning nail-biter on Monday. Starter Sonny Gray pitched 7 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out four and walked two.
JoJo Romero relieved Gray and surrendered two runs in 1/3 of an inning. Ryan Fernandez threw two scoreless innings. Andrew Kittredge yielded two unearned runs in the final two innings and earned the win, his first of the season.
The Cardinals went up 1-0 in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Michael Siani. The Marlins tied the game in the sixth.
In the eighth, St. Louis put up three runs to lead 4-1. Masyn Winn singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk. A second wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Iván Herrera plated Winn and Goldschmidt on a triple. Herrera came home on a single by Brendan Donovan.
The Marlins answered with three runs in the home half of the eighth to tie the game again.
The game went into extra innings and in the top of the 11th, the Cardinals took the lead again 5-4. The Marlins responded by tying the game a third time in the bottom of the inning.
The Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the 12 to break the tie and lead 7-5. The Marlins rallied for one run in the bottom frame but fell short, and the Cardinals took the game 7-6.
The offense scored seven runs on 10 hits. Winn was 2-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Donovan was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Goldschmidt was 2-for-5.
On the bases, Michael Siani was caught stealing for the third time. On defense, Dylan Carlson had an outfield assist at home plate. Pedro Pagés had a passed ball.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 – Cardinals 8 at Marlins 9 (10 innings)
The Cardinals became embroiled in a second extra-inning game with the Marlins. This one was a loss. Starter Lance Lynn pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up six runs, five earned, on 10 hits and struck out five.
Matthew Liberatore relieved Lynn and surrendered one run in 2/3 of an inning. Kyle Leahy threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. John King hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Chris Roycroft yielded two runs, one earned in the final 2/3 of the inning. Roycroft took the loss.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Alec Burleson reached on an error. Paul Goldschmidt followed with a two-run home run. The Marlins answered with three runs in the home half of the first to lead 3-2.
The Cardinals regained the lead in the top of the second on a two-run home run by Brendan Donovan. The Marlins answered with one run in the bottom of the second to tie the game 4-4.
The Cardinals came back in the third to plate two runs for a 6-4 lead. Iván Herrera singled. Matt Carpenter singled and Herrera advanced to third. Brandon Crawford plated Herrera on a groundout. Carpenter came home on a single by Michael Siani.
The Cardinals increased their lead to 7-4 in the fourth on a solo home run by Alec Burleson. The Marlins answered in the bottom of the fourth with a run to cut the lead to 7-5.
The Marlins tied the game again with two runs in the sixth. The game went into extra innings and the Cardinals scored one run in the top of the 10th to lead 8-7. The determined Marlins won the game in the bottom of the tenth with two runs for a 9-8 win.
The Cardinals scored eight runs on 10 hits. Burleson was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Siani was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Carpenter was 2-for-4. Goldschmidt had two RBI.
On defense, Brandon Crawford made a fielding error.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – Cardinals 3 at Marlins 4
The Cardinals were defeated again by the Marlins in a one-run game on Wednesday. Scheduled starter Kyle Gibson was a late scratch for the game due to back tightness. Matthew Liberatore, who had pitched in the game the day before, was brought in to start the game. Liberatore pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out one and walked one.
Chris Roycroft relieved Liberatore and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. John King surrendered one run in 2/3 of an inning. Kyle Leahy tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Ryan Fernandez yielded one run in 2/3 of an inning and took the loss.
The Marlins took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Cardinals answered with two runs in the second to tie the game. Nolan Gorman thumped a solo home run. Nolan Arenado singled and stole second base. Brendan Donovan plated Arenado on a single.
The Marlins broke the tie with one run in the sixth. St. Louis quickly tied it again in the seventh. Masyn Winn singled. Paul Goldschmidt reached on an error and Winn scored.
Miami walked it off with a run in the ninth to win 4-3.
The Cardinals scored three runs on 10 hits. Donovan was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Matt Carpenter was 2-for-4. Arenado was 2-for-3.
On the bases, Arenado stole his first base of the season. Michael Siani stole two bases. José Fermín was caught stealing.
Thursday, June 20, 2024 – Cardinals 6, Giants 5
The Cardinals beat the Giants in the first game of a three-game series that was played at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The game was a celebration of the Negro Leagues and a commemoration of the life of Willie Mays, who passed away two days before the game. The game was a home game for the Cardinals.
Starter Andre Pallante pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked three to earn his third win of the season.
Andrew Kittredge relieved Pallante and threw a scoreless inning. John King hurled a scoreless 2/3 of an inning. Adam Kloffenstein, who was recalled from Memphis to appear in this game, tossed a scoreless eighth. Ryan Helsley earned his MLB-leading 25th save with a scoreless ninth.
The Cardinals went up 3-0 in the first inning. Masyn Winn walked. Alec Burleson singled. Winn scored on a sac fly by Nolan Gorman. Brendan Donovan followed with a two-run home run.
The Giants tied the game in the top of the third. The Cardinals answered with two runs in the home half of the third to lead 5-3. Winn doubled. Burleson singled. Gorman plated Winn on a sac fly. Donovan doubled. Burleson scored on a wild pitch.
St. Louis added a run in the fifth to lead 6-3. Burleson was hit by a pitch. Paul Goldschmidt singled. Burleson came home on a single by Donovan.
The Giants scored two runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 6-5. The Cardinals held on to win the game.
St. Louis scored six runs on seven hits. Alabama native Donovan was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Burleson was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Gorman had two RBI.
On the bases, Brandon Crawford was picked off second base.
Friday, June 21, 2024 – Off day
Saturday, June 22, 2024 – Cardinals 9, Giants 4
The series with the Giants continued back home in St. Louis on Saturday. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 9-4 to win the series. Starter Miles Mikolas pitched six innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out three and walked two to earn his sixth win of the season.
JoJo Romero relieved Mikolas and threw a scoreless 2/3 of an inning. Ryan Fernandez hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Kyle Leahy tossed a scoreless ninth.
The Giants went up 3-0 in the first inning. The Cardinals answered with two runs in the home half of the first to cut the lead to 3-2. Alec Burleson singled and Paul Goldschmidt followed with a two-run home run.
The Giants added a run in the third to lead 4-2. The Cardinals put up three runs in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. Dylan Carlson singled. Masyn Winn doubled. Burleson followed with a three-run home run.
St. Louis increased the lead to 7-4 in the sixth on a two-run home run by Burleson. The Cardinals added to the total with two runs in the seventh. Brendan Donovan hit a solo home run. Pedro Pagés singled. Dylan Carlson singled. Winn plated Pagés on a single.
The offense scored nine runs on 13 hits. Burleson was 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored. Winn was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Donovan was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Carlson was 2-for-3. Goldschmidt had two RBI.
On the bases, Nolan Gorman stole his fourth base of the season. Burleson swiped his third bag.
Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Cardinals 5, Giants 3
The Cardinals swept the Giants in the series ender with a 5-3 win on Sunday. Starter Sonny Gray lost a perfect game with a seventh-inning home run. The right-hander threw seven innings, gave up one run on one hit and struck out eight. Gray earned his ninth win of the season.
JoJo Romero relieved Gray and almost gave up the lead, surrendering two runs in 1/3 of an inning. Andrew Kittredge got the final two outs of the eighth. Ryan Helsley mowed them down in the ninth with two strikeouts and a flyout for a scoreless ninth. Helsley earned his MLB-leading 26th save.
The Cardinals went after Giants starter Logan Webb, scoring three runs in the first inning. Masyn Winn double. Alec Burleson singled to plate Winn. Burleson stole second base. Burleson came home on a ground-rule double by Brendan Donovan. Matt Carpenter drove in Donovan on a single.
St. Louis added a fourth run in the second inning. Pedro Pagés singled and stole second base. Burleson plated Pagés on a single.
The Cardinals cruised on four runs until the Giants got on the board in the seventh. In the eighth, the bullpen faltered and allowed the Giants to get within one run and cut the Cardinals lead to 4-3.
In the bottom of the eighth, Dylan Carlson doubled, and former Giant Brandon Crawford drove him home on a double for an insurance run. Ryan Helsley came into the ninth and shut the door.
The offense scored five runs on 11 hits. Burleson was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Carlson and Pagés were both 2-for-4.
On the bases, the slow guys ran all over Giants’ starter Logan Webb. Burleson stole two bases. Pagés swiped his first bag. Nolan Gorman stole his fifth base.
Big Picture
The Cardinals had a 4-2 week, with a bad series against the last-place Marlins in which they lost 2 of 3 and then a sweep of a better team in the Giants. The Cardinals sit in second place in the NL Central, 5 games back of the Brewers and 2.5 games ahead of the third-place Pirates.
The offense was more prolific this week than the previous week despite the two losses to the Marlins, which was more about the pitching. The pitching issue was mostly a product of Lance Lynn not performing and a late scratch of Kyle Gibson in the final game of the series that threw a wrench into the works. A very aggressive Marlins’ offense versus poor pitching from Lynn and a hastily thrown-together bullpen start was a recipe for disaster.
The pitching ship was righted for the Giants series and the Cardinals’ offense did its part. Rather, it did until Sunday’s game when it got lazy and sat on a four-run lead for four innings. Luck and a fiery performance from the closer, aided by a last-ditch insurance run provided by a former Giants player saved the day.
The top offensive performers over the last seven days by OPS are Alec Burleson (1.276), Brendan Donovan (1.269), Iván Herrera (1.069), and Masyn Winn (.984). Herrera is now on the injured list with a back issue but Willson Contreras is set to return on Monday.
At the bottom are José Fermín (.286), Nolan Gorman (.310), Pedro Pagés (.400), and Nolan Arenado (.453). Gorman needs to sit out a few games in this author’s opinion and contemplate something. Arenado has an arm (and another arm) that needs attention and maybe an IL stint. Willson Contreras is coming back to remedy the catching dilemma and Fermín is on the Memphis shuttle which may be leaving the station sooner rather than later.
On the pitching side, Sonny Gray is the only starter to have an ERA under 4.00 for the week (1.84). Starter has been loosely defined over the last week, as one didn’t pitch, and one was a reliever who had pitched the previous game. Lance Lynn was, in a word, awful and gave up earned runs this time. Miles Mikolas and Andre Pallante gave up some runs, but the team won anyway and it happens sometimes. It appears the imminent return of Steven Matz is no longer imminent and no longer a return, therefore, Andre Pallante will continue to fill the void (until he doesn’t). Matz might be gone until after the trade deadline, so the future is ours to see.
The bullpen has had some hiccups in the form of JoJo Romero, who almost gave away the store in Sonny Gray’s beautiful start on Sunday. Romero has a not-so-beautiful ERA of 27.00 for the week to show for it. Other than Romero and some bad fielding from the now-optioned Chris Roycroft, the bullpen has been pretty decent as usual.
The Braves come to town this week, minus their best pitcher and best player, who are both out for the season. They are still a formidable team, so the Cardinals must have both their pitching and offense working (preferably at the same time). They end the homestand with the Reds, who have been up and down this season and who have been trading places with the Cubs for last place in the Division. The Reds currently occupy that spot but only by a half-game. Their offense is good and will need to be kept at bay.
NL Central Standings
Team W L Pct GB
| Milwaukee | 45 | 33 | .577 | ——- |
| St. Louis | 39 | 37 | .513 | 5 |
| Pittsburgh | 37 | 40 | .481 | 7.5 |
| Chicago | 37 | 41 | .474 | 8 |
| Cincinnati | 36 | 41 | .468 | 8.5 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 6/18 The Cardinals sent C Willson Contreras on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/18 The Cardinals sent RHP Nick Robertson on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/19 The Cardinals optioned RHP Ryan Loutos to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/19 The Cardinals activated RHP Kyle Gibson from the Bereavement List.
- 6/20 The Cardinals recalled RHP Adam Kloffenstein from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/20 The Cardinals optioned RHP Chris Roycroft to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/20 The Cardinals recalled CF Victor Scott II from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/21 The Cardinals optioned RHP Adam Kloffenstein to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/21 The Cardinals optioned CF Victor Scott II to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/21 The Cardinals activated RHP Giovanny Gallegos from the 15-day injured list.
- 6/22 The Cardinals selected the contract of C Nick Raposo from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/22 The Cardinals placed C Iván Herrera on the 10-day injured list. Lower back tightness.
- 6/22 The Cardinals transferred RHP Keynan Middleton from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right forearm flexor strain.
Injury Report
-
- CF Tommy Edman (arthroscopic wrist surgery) was transferred to the 60-day injured list from the 15-day injured list on May 6. Edman has spent four days at the Cardinals complex in Jupiter ramping up baseball activities. Manager Oli Marmol is optimistic that Edman will return relatively soon.
- RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm strain) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 22. Middleton underwent season-ending forearm surgery. The right-hander has not thrown a pitch for the Cardinals this season.
- LHP Drew Rom (left bicep tendinitis and left shoulder surgery) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day-injured list on April 30. Rom underwent left shoulder surgery. The left-hander is expected to be out until September.
- RHP Riley O’Brien (right forearm flexor strain) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on May 10. O’Brien was scheduled for a rehab assignment with the Memphis Redbirds but that rehab was paused due to continued arm issues. Imaging on O’Brien was clear, but the team will seek a second opinion.
- LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 3, retroactive to May 1. Matz woke up with back tightness after his most recent rehab start. The setback means a return won’t be for another 4-6 weeks.
- RHP Giovanny Gallegos (right shoulder impingement). Gallegos was activated off the 15-day injured list on June 21.
- C Willson Contreras (left arm fracture) was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 8. Contreras is on a rehab assignment with the Memphis Redbirds. Contreras could be activated as early as Monday, June 24 for the Braves series.
- OF Lars Nootbaar (left oblique strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 30. Nootbaar is taking full swings and is close to taking batting practice. Manager Oli Marmol is optimistic that Nootbaar’s return will be relatively soon.
- RHP Nick Robertson (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 23. Robertson is currently on a rehab assignment with the Memphis Redbirds.
- 3B Nolan Arenado (right elbow contusion) was hit by a pitch in the June 19 game against the Marlins. Arenado did not play in the Rickwood Field game on June 20 but was back in the lineup for the June 22 game with the Giants. In the eighth inning of the June 22 game, Arenado was removed for “left forearm discomfort”.
- RHP Kyle Gibson (back tightness) was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday, June 19. Gibson is set to make his next start against the Braves on Tuesday, June 25.
- CF Michael Siani left the June 22 game after diving to catch a fly ball. The report was bruised ribs. X-rays were negative. Siani is considered day-to-day.
- C Iván Herrera (lower back tightness) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 19. Herrera’s back tightened up on him when he reached to pick up an equipment bag. No further information is available.
Looking Ahead.
Following the Giants series ending on Sunday, the homestand then continues with three games against the Atlanta Braves. Lance Lynn is scheduled to make the Monday start, followed by Kyle Gibson on Tuesday, and Andre Pallante on Wednesday.
The final series of the homestand is a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds that ends the month of June.
The Cardinals begin the month of July with a three-game series in Pittsburgh with the Pirates beginning Tuesday, July 2. That series is followed by a weekend series against the Nationals in Washington.
The Cardinals return to St. Louis to play two games at Busch Stadium against the Kansas City Royals. After a Thursday off day, the Cubs come to town for a weekend series before the All-Star Break.
Blast from the Past
This week’s Blast from the Past returns to the subject of major league debuts. Two weeks ago, the debuts of several recognizable Cardinals were showcased. This week, Blast looks at a handful of other notable past and present Cardinals. These Cardinals are notable for being names most Cardinal fans would recognize but not necessarily because of their baseball pedigree.
The following is a list of Cardinals who made their major league debut during the period of June 17-23 in past years. The date of their debut, what game it was in and how they performed are highlighted.
Andy Van Slyke – Former Cardinal outfielder Andy Van Slyke made his major league debut on June 17, 1983. Van Slyke was in the starting lineup at RF batting sixth, in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. The game was a night game that the Cardinals won 7-2.
Van Slyke had his first plate appearance in the bottom of the second inning. He struck out looking. His second plate appearance was in the bottom of the fourth. Van Slyke hit a double to right field for his first major league hit. It was also his first major league RBI, as his double scored George Hendrick for the Cardinals’s second run. Three more runs scored in that inning, including Van Slyke, who scored on a sacrifice bunt with a fielding error hit by Ozzie Smith. Van Slyke flew out to CF in the sixth and grounded out to first in the eighth.
Stubby Clapp –Clapp is likely more well-known by Cardinals fans for being the current first base coach for the Cardinals than he is for his playing career. In fact, Clapp’s entire major league career consisted of 26 plate appearances in 25 games for the Cardinals in 2001. Clapp was almost exclusively a pinch hitter for the team.
Stubby made his debut on June 18, 2001, in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in which the Cardinals beat the Cubs 6-2. Clapp entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for reliever Mike Timlin. Clapp struck out swinging.
Stubby’s first major league hit occurred on June 22, 2001, in a game against the Giants at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals lost this game 10-5. Clapp’s one plate appearance in this game was in the ninth inning, pinch-hitting for reliever Luther Hackman. Stubby hit a line drive double to left field off Giants reliever Liván Hernández. Clapp was left stranded on third base.
Bo Hart – Like Clapp, Hart’s major league career was very short. Hart is famous for breaking a record set by Kirby Puckett for having the highest batting average (.460) in the first ten games of his career. The first month of his career is considered one of the best debuts in major league history.
Hart made his major league debut on June 19, 2003, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park that the Cardinals won 8-4. He was in the starting lineup playing second base and batting eighth. Hart’s first plate appearance was also his first major league hit. He doubled to left field in the top of the second inning off Brewer’s starter Rubén Quevedo. His second plate appearance was a ground out to second base in the fourth. Hart tripled to CF and drove in Kerry Robinson in the fifth inning for the Cardinals’s eighth and final run of the game. Hart’s last plate appearance was a walk in the eighth inning.
Hart finished the season in St. Louis with 82 hits and a .277 batting average. He played for the Cardinals for the first month of 2004 and then was sent down to the minor leagues. Hart never played in another major league game. He bounced around in the minor leagues of the Rockies, the Cardinals again, the Cubs and the Orioles through the 2007 season. His baseball career also included a few years in independent league baseball.
Lars Nootbaar – The Cardinals’ currently injured outfielder made his major league debut on June 23, 2021, in a game against the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park. The Cardinals lost the game 6-2.
Nootbaar was in the starting lineup playing right field and hitting ninth. Nootbaar’s first major league plate appearance was also his first major league hit. In the top of the third inning, Nootbaar hit a triple to CF off Tigers’ starter Matt Manning. Nootbaar scored the Cardinals’s second run on a single by Tommy Edman.
Nootbaar’s second plate appearance was a ground out to second base in the fifth. He grounded out to the shortstop in the seventh.
In addition to going 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored, Nootbaar also had an outfield assist, throwing Tigers’ shortstop Isaac Paredes out at home plate in the sixth inning.
Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation
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.
Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.
© 2024 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.