photo: Paul Goldschmidt (Joe Puetz/Imagn)
The St. Louis Cardinals swept the Pirates on their home turf, but lost two of three to the top team in the American League, the Houston Astros. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt tied the team record with home runs in six consecutive games. Our weekly history feature looks back a major trade this week in 2011 that helped the Cardinals win the World Series.
Game recaps
Monday, July 22 – Cardinals 6 at Pirates 5 (10 innings)
The Cardinals edged the Pirates in extra innings on Monday in the first of a four-game series. Starter Daniel Ponce De Leon pitched only three innings and gave up one run on three hits. The right hander struck out three and walked four. Ponce de Leon struggled through his third inning on the mound, walking two and allowing two singles which resulted in the lone run given up. He had thrown 86 pitches through three innings.
Michael Wacha pitched the next three innings, also surrendering a run. Wacha was followed by two scoreless innings from lefty Tyler Webb. Brebbia started the ninth, gave up one hit and struck out two. Chasen Shreve got the last out of the ninth and returned for the 10th. Shreve allowed back to back doubles, resulting in a run and was replaced by Carlos Martinez. Martinez gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, which resulted in two runs, one charged to Shreve and one to Martinez. Martinez managed to get three outs without any further damage. Martinez was awarded his ninth save, and the win was awarded to Shreve.
St. Louis scored first on Matt Wieters solo home run in the third. The Pirates answered in the bottom of the third with a run to tie it. The fourth inning was a repeat of the third. The Cardinals scored again off the bat of Wieters, but with a sac fly. The Pirates immediately knotted the score again.
In the top of the fourth, Paul Goldschmidt launched a ball for a grand slam to give the Cardinals the 6-2 lead. However, the Pirates refused to go away quietly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 10th, but falling short of sending the game into the 11th.
Tommy Edman and Dexter Fowler each had two hits. Fowler stole his fifth base of the season. Paul DeJong made a fielding error and Jose Martinez had an outfield assist.
Tuesday, July 23 – Cardinals 4 at Pirates 3
The Cardinals again prevailed by one run over the Pirates on Tuesday. This time the Pirates took the early lead and the Cardinals came back to win.
The Pirates went up 3-0 in the first inning against starter Dakota Hudson on a three-run home run, for the only Pittsburgh scoring on the night. St. Louis responded by scoring one run in the second on a Kolten Wong double. In the third, Paul Goldschmidt tied the game with a two-run home run. Jose Martinez hit a solo home run in the fifth to give the Cardinals the final 4-3 edge.
Wong and Martinez each had two hits.
Hudson pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on six hits. The right hander struck out five and walked three. Giovanny Gallegos provided 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Andrew Miller added a scoreless ninth.
Wednesday, July 24 – Cardinals 14 at Pirates 8
The third game of the series went much differently than the first two. No low scoring, close game here. For the Cardinals, big innings were the story. The game began same as the game the day before, with the Pirates taking an early lead, but it evaporated quickly.
The Pirates scored two runs in the first inning against starter Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals offense responded with a nine-run second inning. It began with a two run home run off the bat of Paul DeJong. Yairo Munoz doubled home a run. Andrew Knizner got on the home run train with a two run shot to left. Dexter Fowler doubled to drive in run number six. Paul Goldschmidt blasted a two-run shot, and Kolten Wong doubled to plate the ninth and final run in the inning.
The Pirates put up two more runs in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 9-4. The home run train continued into the fourth inning with a second two-run blast by DeJong. Wainwright plated a run on a sac fly, and Tommy Edman singled to score the fourth run of the inning. The Cardinals led 12-4.
The Pirates weren’t done, scoring twice in the seventh to make it 12-6. The Cardinals added their 14th score in the eighth on DeJong’s third long ball of the game, a solo shot.
The Pirates rallied for two more runs in the bottom of the ninth, but fell short.
DeJong was the offensive star, going 4-for-4 with five RBI and four runs scored. Munoz had three hits, and Goldschmidt and Wong had two knocks each.
Wainwright pitched five innings and gave up four runs on five hits. The right hander fanned five and walked four. Mike Mayers surrendered two runs in two innings of relief, and John Brebbia also allowed two runs in his two innings pitched.
Munoz stole two bases. Tommy Edman made a throwing error.
Thursday, July 25 – Cardinals 6 at Pirates 3
The Cardinals completed the four-game road sweep with a 6-3 win over the Pirates on Thursday. Starter Miles Mikolas didn’t quite match his last start against the Pirates, but he pitched well, going six innings and giving up three runs on five hits. The right hander struck out five and walked one. John Gant followed with a scoreless seventh. Andrew Miller and Carlos Martinez combined to pitch the final two scoreless innings. Mikolas earned his seventh win.
The Cardinals got on the board first with two runs in the first inning on single by Jose Martinez and a sac fly by Paul DeJong. The Pirates cut the lead to 2-1 in the third.
The Cardinals answered with two runs in the fourth on home runs by Paul Goldschmidt and Kolten Wong. Dexter Fowler hit a two-run home run in the fifth to give the Redbirds the 6-1 lead.
The Pirates added two runs in the sixth but did not score against the Cardinals’ pen.
Friday, July 26 – Cardinals 5, Astros 3
The Cardinals began a three-game series with the Astros at Busch Stadium on Friday. The Astros are a formidable opponent, but in this game, the Cardinals were up to the task. Jack Flaherty struck out nine Astros in a six-inning outing in which he gave up two runs on three hits. John Brebbia pitched a scoreless seventh. John Gant surrendered one run in the eighth, and Andrew Miller got the final out of the frame. Carlos Martinez tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his 10th save. Miller received the win.
Houston scored first with two runs in the fourth inning. The Cardinals responded with one run in the bottom frame of the fourth on an RBI single by Kolten Wong. Matt Wieters’ solo home run in the seventh tied the score at 2-2.
The Astros regained the lead with one run in the eighth, but the Cardinals answered in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt and Wong had two hits each.
Saturday, July 27 – Cardinals 2, Astros 8
The momentum from Friday’s win did not carry over into Saturday. Daniel Ponce De Leon struggled for the second time in the week. The right-handed starter didn’t complete the third inning, pitching only 2 1/3 innings. Ponce De Leon gave up five runs on three hits and walked four. Michael Wacha again relieved and pitched 4 2/3 innings, surrendering one run on six hits and fanning five. Mike Mayers allowed two runs in the eighth. Tyler Webb pitched a scoreless ninth.
St. Louis’ offense scored two runs on seven hits. The first run scored in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Paul Goldschmidt. This long ball marked the first baseman’s sixth consecutive game going deep, tying the team record. Jose Martinez drove in a run in the eighth on a ground out.
Tyler O’Neill was the only Cardinal with multiple hits, two singles.
Sunday, July 28 – Cardinals 2, Astros 6
The Cardinals were again outplayed by the Astros in the final game of the series on Sunday. Dakota Hudson struggled in his second start of the week. Hudson pitched four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits. The right hander struck out five and walked two. John Brebbia followed with two scoreless innings in relief. Giovanny Gallegos tossed a scoreless seventh. John Gant surrendered one run in the eighth, and Tyler Webb finished with a scoreless ninth.
The Cardinals were behind 5-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, when pinch hitter Rangel Ravelo got his first major league extra base hit with a double that scored Kolten Wong. Pinch-hitter Dexter Fowler hit a solo home run in the ninth for the second and final Redbird run.
Tommy Edman had two hits.
Paul Goldschmidt and Paul DeJong made fielding errors. Harrison Bader had an outfield assist at home.
The Big Picture
The Cardinals had a good start to the week, sweeping the Pirates in a four-game road series. The Cardinals returned to Busch Stadium and won the first game with the Astros but failed to take the series. The Cardinals ended the week 5-2 and tied for first place with the Cubs. The Brewers are one game back.
Starting pitching was the issue in the Astros series. Daniel Ponce De Leon failed in two starts this week to show he deserved to hold his rotation spot. Hudson was shaky in his start on Sunday. The fifth rotation spot remains an issue with three days left before the trade deadline. Whether the Cardinals will address this weakness with a trade remains to be seen. There appears to be no savior in the minors.
The offense did well until they came up against Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley. Paul Goldschmidt was red hot this week, hitting a home run in six consecutive games. The second Paul, Paul DeJong, has also been hot. Kolten Wong, Dexter Fowler, Tyler O’Neill and Jose Martinez have hit well. Yairo Munoz has gotten multiple starts, especially in the outfield. With Harrison Bader continuing to struggle at the plate, the outfield has been a four-player merry go round.
There was some uncharacteristic infield miscues this week. The infield defense has been a strength and has needed to be with the outfield defense weaker with the absence of Bader.
Marcell Ozuna is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this week and may rejoin the team during the West Coast trip. Matt Carpenter is still on his rehab assignment, and as of Sunday does not have a hit in any of the games in which he has played (0-for-16 with six strikeouts). This does not bode well and no return to the roster by Carpenter has yet been announced. Tommy Edman has been a credible replacement for Carpenter, especially on defense.
The Cardinals play three at home against the Cubs this week, starting on Tuesday. This is a crucial series and all aspects of the Cardinals, offense, defense, and pitching, must be at their best. The team then goes on a West Coast trip, beginning with two games this weekend against the Oakland Athletics.
NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB |
| St. Louis | 56 | 49 | 0.533 | |
| Chicago | 56 | 49 | 0.533 | |
| Milwaukee | 56 | 51 | 0.523 | 1 |
| Cincinnati | 48 | 55 | 0.466 | 7 |
| Pittsburgh | 46 | 539 | 0.438 | 10 |
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
Mark Saxon of the Athletic reports that the Cardinals, in the market for a left handed reliever, have done their due diligence inquiry on Giants lefty Tony Watson. However, Saxon also states that the Cardinals are wary of an escalator clause in Watson’s contract, increasing his salary with more appearances.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the Cardinals are interested in a controllable starting pitcher and a left-handed reliever, but are unlikely to part with either of their top two prospects, Dylan Carlson and Nolan Gorman.
Transactions
- 7/23 The Cardinals activated RHP Mike Mayers from the 60 day injured list.
- 7/23 The Cardinals sent 3B Matt Carpenter on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/23 The Cardinals designated LHP Chasen Shreve for assignment.
- 7/26 The Cardinals sent 3B Matt Carpenter on a rehab assignment to the Springfield Cardinals.
- 7/27 The Cardinals sent LHP Chasen Shreve outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
Injury Report
- LHP Brett Cecil (carpal tunnel syndrome left wrist) continues on the 60-day injured list. Cecil had been shut down from throwing for an indefinite period since spring training. The left hander has had a setback in his rehab and it now seems unlikely that Cecil will return in 2019.
- 3B Jedd Gyorko remains on the 10-day injured list. Gyorko originally was placed on the list due to lower back issues, was then reported to have recurring calf issues, and at present is suffering from a wrist ailment for which he had arthroscopic surgery on June 24. Gyorko is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on July 30. The timetable for Gyorko’s return is possibly the middle or end of August.
- RHP Jordan Hicks (torn right UCL) underwent Tommy John surgery on June 26 and is out for the rest of the season.
- LF Marcell Ozuna (fractured right fingers) was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 29. Ozuna suffered the injury diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt. Subject to medical clearance, Ozuna will begin a rehab assignment in Memphis on Tuesday.
- C Yadier Molina (right thumb) was placed on the 10 day injured list on July 11, retroactive to July 8. He has been shut down from all baseball activities for several weeks and is reportedly still experiencing some thumb pain. Molina is expected to be re-evaluated in late July by a hand specialist.
- 3B Matt Carpenter (right foot contusion) was placed on the 10 day injured list on July 16. Carpenter was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds, and is currently continuing his rehab assignment with the Springfield Cardinals.
- OF Dexter Fowler (right foot contusion) was hit on his left foot by a pitch in the game on July 26. X-rays and scans were negative, and he is considered day to day. Fowler made a pinch hit appearance in Sunday’s game.
Looking Ahead
After an off day on Monday, July 29, the Chicago Cubs come to Busch Stadium for a three game series. St. Louis has another off day on Friday, August 2 to travel to Oakland to play a two game interleague series beginning Saturday with the Athletics. The West Coast trip continues with a stop in Los Angeles to play the Dodgers in a three game series beginning August 5.
The Cardinals have a travel day on Thursday, August 8 and return home to a weekend series with the Pirates. It is a short home stand, as the Cardinals have an off day on Monday and begin a two game series in Kansas City against the Royals.
The Cardinals’ regular season schedule can be viewed here.
Blast from the Past
This week’s Blast from the Past looks at a significant trade that occurred during this past week in 2011. On July 27, 2011, the Cardinals made a blockbuster three-team trade to bring four players for the run to the World Series.
The Cardinals approached the trade deadline in second place in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals had lost Adam Wainwright for the year with Tommy John surgery and Albert Pujols missed significant time with a wrist injury suffered on June 19. Pujols returned earlier than anticipated and the Cardinals on July 27 were in a position to make a run at the Brewers.
Colby Rasmus had been a disappointment, despite being a much touted first-round draft pick. Much of the trouble centered on the inability of Rasmus and his manager, Tony La Russa, to get along with each other. Rasmus reportedly asked for a trade and the Cardinals finally obliged.
On July 27, the Cardinals sent Rasmus, along with pitchers P.J. Walters, Brian Tallet, and Trever Miller to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitchers Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, and Marc Rzepczynski, and outfielder Corey Patterson. Jackson was only a member of the Blue Jays for minutes, having been dealt to Toronto by the White Sox that same day and then flipped to the Cardinals in the second trade. The White Sox had received reliever Jason Frasor and pitching prospect Zach Stewart from the Blue Jays.
Rasmus was replaced in center field by Jon Jay. Edwin Jackson joined the rotation, sending Kyle McClellan, who had replaced Wainwright in the rotation, back to the bullpen. Several days later the Cardinals acquired shortstop Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers to replace the defensively challenged Ryan Theriot.
This trade bolstered the pitching staff for the stretch run and added an extra outfielder as well. Patterson did not add significantly to the team’s later success, but the pitching additions did. The Cardinals went on a historic run in August and September that year with these additions, a run that took the Cardinals from 10+ games back of the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card, all the way to a World Series championship.
Rasmus had an indifferent major league career with Toronto, and later Houston, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore. Rasmus voluntarily left baseball twice for personal reasons, the last time for good. The four players the Cardinals received in the trade made significant contributions to the World Series run, but little afterward. Jackson left in free agency at the end of 2011. Dotel also left and signed with the Detroit Tigers. He retired in 2014. Patterson played in the minor league systems of four teams before leaving baseball. Only Rzepczynski remained with the Cardinals past 2011. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in July 2013 and remains around the fringes of the majors still.
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