photo: Yadier Molina (Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports)
The inconsistent St. Louis Cardinals lost a series at last-place Cincinnati before winning 2-of-3 at home over first-place Chicago. Second-place hitter Yadier Molina remains a consistent force. In our weekly history feature, Hall of Famer Chick Hafey is remembered.
Cardinals overhaul bullpen
On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals made a number of deletions and additions to the team’s bullpen in an effort to boost what has been a major weakness most of the season. In what was probably the least surprising move, the Cardinals designated right handed reliever Greg Holland for assignment. Holland was an opening day signing by the Cardinals to bolster the back end of the bullpen. The veteran closer had an NL co-leading 41 saves for the Rockies in 2017 but had turned down the Rockies offer to remain and went to test free agency.
Holland, along with several other notable veteran free agents, remained unsigned through the offseason and Spring Training. The Cardinal signed him with the hope that his record as a closer would give him the late inning relief they needed. Those hopes never materialized, as Holland struggled with his command, then went on the disabled list with a right hip impingement in May, sporting a 9.45 ERA in 18 appearances up to that point. After returning from the injury, Holland appeared to improve for a short time, but the command issues returned.
The Cardinals also designated lefty Tyler Lyons for assignment. Lyons, a homegrown Cardinal product, had many of the same issues as Holland. Lyons spent significant time this season on the disabled list, and when presumably healthy, struggled to get left handed batters out. Lyons was out of minor league options, so sending him to the minors to work out his issues was not an option.
In addition to the removal of Holland and Lyons, the Cardinals traded right hander Sam Tuivailala to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed relief pitcher Seth Elledge, who has been assigned to the Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate in Springfield. Left handed pitcher Brett Cecil was placed on the 10 day disabled list with right foot inflammation.
The Cardinals recalled right handed pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon, left handed pitcher Tyler Webb, and selected the contract of right handed pitcher Dakota Hudson from the Memphis Redbirds. Left handed pitcher Austin Gomber, already on the roster, will slide into a bullpen role after making a start against the Reds in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Game Recaps
Monday, July 23 – Cardinals 1 at Reds 2
The Cardinals left Chicago on Sunday having split a four-game series with the Cubs. The hope was the team would fare better against the last place Reds. Those hopes were dashed in the first game of the series. The inconsistent offense showed up, though both teams were low on the output side. St. Louis did get on the board first, with their one and only run coming off the bat of Yadier Molina, who singled to left to score Matt Carpenter in the sixth. That RBI single was one of only five Cardinal hits. Carpenter and Tommy Pham doubled, the only extra base hits. Carpenter was 2-for-4.
Starting pitching on both sides was on point, especially on the St. Louis side. Newly recalled Daniel Poncedeleon was the starter, and he wowed the faithful with a no -hitter through the seventh. The high pitch count for the right hander prevented him returning for the eighth. Jordan Hicks was brought in for the eighth to attempt to carry on the no hitter, but Hicks gave up a single to the second batter he faced, Phillip Ervin. Hicks did finish the inning scoreless. The 1-0 shutout was lost in the ninth when Bud Norris gave up two runs, which handed the win to the Reds.
Tuesday, July 24 – Cardinals 4 at Reds 2 (11 innings)
Things started to look up for the Cardinals in Game 2. It took extra innings, but St. Louis pulled off a win. Lefty Austin Gomber copied his Memphis teammate Poncedeleon, taking a no hitter into the seventh before losing it by giving up a single to Joey Votto and a two-run home run to Eugenio Suarez. Gomber pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up the two runs. Mike Mayers got the final two outs of the seventh before Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless eighth. Tyler Lyons faced one batter in the ninth, a fly out. Sam Tuivailala finished the ninth and pitched a run-free 10th. Bud Norris closed with a scoreless 11th.
The offense scored in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Jose Martinez. Another run was added in the seventh on Yairo Munoz’ double. The Reds tied it up in the bottom frame and the game remained tied until the top of the 11th, when Dexter Fowler hit a two-run home run to give the Cardinals the victory.
Fowler stole his fourth base of the season. Paul DeJong made a throwing error.
Wednesday, July 25 – Cardinals 3 at Reds 7
The Cardinals couldn’t pull out the series win for the second time in a row on the road trip. Solo home runs by Paul DeJong in the third inning and Yadier Molina in the seventh were not enough to overcome the busy bats of the Reds. Yairo Munoz contributed an RBI double to round out the Redbirds scoring. The hot-hitting Molina was 3-for-5.
It was not one of Jack Flaherty’s best starts on this Wednesday. Flaherty pitched five innings and gave up three runs on four hits. The right hander’s signature strikeout count was normal, as he struck out eight and walked two. In the sixth, John Gant surrendered two additional runs. John Brebbia pitched a scoreless seventh. Luke Gregerson took the eighth and relinquished two more runs. It was Flaherty’s fifth loss of the season.
Flaherty picked Billy Hamilton off first base.
Thursday, July 26 – Off day
Friday, July 27 – Cardinals 5, Cubs 2
The Cardinals returned to St. Louis after a tough series loss to the Reds to face the first-place Cubs. After the significant changes to the bullpen (detailed above), the team took its new look to a Game 1 win over the Cubs. Luke Weaver got the start and pitched six pretty good innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. Mike Mayers followed with a scoreless seventh. Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively. Weaver picked up his sixth win of the season.
An RBI triple by Paul DeJong brought home the first run for the Redbirds in the third inning. Jose Martinez singled a run home in that same inning. In the fourth, Yadier Molina plated a run on a double and DeJong added a two run single. Molina went 3-for-4 and DeJong was 3-for-3.
Matt Carpenter was caught stealing for the first time in the season. Dexter Fowler had an outfield assist.
Saturday, July 28 – Cardinals 6, Cubs 2
The Cardinals repeated their victory over their Division rivals on Saturday. The highlight was the grand slam by Marcell Ozuna in the first inning, when St. Louis put up six runs against Cubs starter Jose Quintana, enough to sustain the win. The other two runs in the first inning came on a bases loaded walk by Jose Martinez and Yairo Munoz’ double. Ozuna went 3-for-4.
Starter Miles Mikolas won his 11th game of the season. Mikolas pitched six innings and gave up two runs on six hits. First time call-up Dakota Hudson, Jordan Hicks, and Bud Norris each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Sunday, July 29 – Cardinals 2, Cubs 5
The Cardinals were unable to complete their second sweep of the Cubs this season. The game started with a rain delay of a little over an hour. Starter John Gant went only 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits. Austin Gomber relieved in the fifth and surrendered two unearned runs. John Brebbia held the Cubs scoreless for 2 1/3 innings. Newly recalled Tyler Webb pitched the final two scoreless innings.
St. Louis’ offense scored two in the first inning against Kyle Hendricks, and then were shut down the rest of the way. Those two runs came on a home run by Marcell Ozuna. The offense had a total of five hits and no Cardinal had multiple hits.
Shortly after making a standout play, Yairo Munoz committed a costly error at second base that broke the game open for the Cubs.
Big Picture
The Cardinals finished the week 3-3, with a series loss to the Reds and a series win against the Cubs. The team remains in fourth place in the division, eight games back of the Cubs.
The issues with inconsistent offense remain. After a brief spurt of activity, Tommy Pham has returned into his slump. Dexter Fowler has shown signs of improvement at the plate since Mike Shildt has taken over as manager. With home runs on Saturday and Sunday, Marcell Ozuna has shown a brief glimpse of what the Cardinals thought they were getting when they acquired him. After a historical output at the plate a week ago, Carpenter has cooled off somewhat. Yadier Molina has been a bright spot recently at the plate. Jose Martinez has cooled, perhaps in part due to reduced playing time. Harrison Bader and Jedd Gyorko are playing less.
The bullpen has continued to be a major weakness, but with the additions and subtractions made on Friday, the pen has stabilized for the moment. The defense had been getting better, but costly errors continue to be made in the infield. Getting Kolten Wong back from the disabled list should help some in this area.
The Cardinals play a series with a hot Rockies team this week at home and then travel to Pittsburgh to take on the surging Pirates. As August is almost upon them, time is quickly running out to make headway for a playoff spot.
| NL Central Standings | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Chicago | 61 | 44 | 0.581 | – |
| Milwaukee | 61 | 47 | 0.565 | 1.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 55 | 52 | 0.514 | 7 |
| St. Louis | 53 | 52 | 0.505 | 8 |
| Cincinnati | 48 | 58 | 0.453 | 13.5 |
Who’s Hot
Over the past six games (does not contain recent Sunday game results):
- Yadier Molina has an OPS of 1.037. He has one HR, three doubles, and three RBI.
- Dexter Fowler has an OPS of .958. He has one HR, one double, and two RBI.
- Daniel Poncedeleon has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.43.
- Austin Gomber has an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 0.63.
- Dakota Hudson has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.00.
- Jordan Hicks has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.75.
Who’s Not
Over the past six games (does not contain recent Sunday games).
- Tommy Pham has an OPS of .449.
- Greg Garcia has an OPS of .476.
- Jose Martinez has an OPS of .536.
- John Gant has an ERA of 18.00 and a WHIP of 5.00.
- Brett Cecil has an ERA of 81.00 and a WHIP of 15.00.
- Luke Gregerson has an ERA of 18.00 and a WHIP of 3.00.
A Look at Cardinals Lineups
The lineups over the last six games (does not contain recent Sunday game):
- The leadoff hitter has been Matt Carpenter.
- The number two hitter has been Yadier Molina.
- The number three hitter has been Paul DeJong.
- The cleanup hitter has been Marcell Ozuna for four games and Jose Martinez for two games.
- The fifth hitter has been Martinez for four games and Ozuna for two games.
- The sixth hitter has been Tommy Pham for five games and Dexter Fowler for one game.
- The seventh hitter has been Dexter Fowler for five games and Yairo Munoz for one game.
- The eighth hitter has been Munoz for four games, Harrison Bader for one game, and Greg Garcia for one game.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
Post-Dispatch beat writer Derrick Goold tweeted that several teams have expressed interest in Memphis Redbirds third baseman Patrick Wisdom. Goold also tweeted that the Cardinals remain interested in Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer.
Transactions
- 7/22 The Cardinals optioned Luke Weaver to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/23 The Cardinals placed 2B Kolten Wong on the 10 day disabled list retroactive to July 22, 2018. Left knee inflammation.
- 7/23 The Cardinals recalled RHP Daniel Poncedeleon from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/24 The Cardinals optioned RHP Daniel Poncedeleon to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/24 The Cardinals recalled LHP Austin Gomber from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/27 The Cardinals placed LHP Brett Cecil on the 10 day disabled list retroactive to July 23, 2018. Right foot inflammation.
- 7/27 The Cardinals designated LHP Tyler Lyons for assignment.
- 7/27 The Cardinals designated RHP Greg Holland for assignement.
- 7/27 The Cardinals traded RHP Sam Tuivailala to the Seattle Mariners for RHP Seth Elledge.
- 7/27 The Cardinals selected the contract of RHP Dakota Hudson from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/27 The Cardinals recalled RHP Luke Weaver from the Peoria Chiefs.
- 7/27 The Cardinals recalled RHP Daniel Poncedeleon from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/27 The Cardinals recalled LHP Tyler Webb from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/29 The Cardinals traded 1B Luke Voit and international pool money to the New York Yankees for LHP Chasen Shreve and RHP Giovanny Gallegos.
Injury Report
- RHP Dominic Leone (right upper arm nerve irritation) was transferred from the 10 day DL to the 60 day DL. Leone has begun a throwing program and threw on flat ground on July 19. Leone threw a side session over the weekend. No announcement regarding a rehab assignment has been made.
- RHP Alex Reyes (right lat strain) had surgery on June 6 to reattach a tendon in his right lat. The right hander was transferred from the 10 day DL to the 60 day DL. Reyes is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.
- RHP Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) continues on the 60 day DL. Wainwright has begun a throwing program and threw off a mound on July 27. No announcement about a rehab assignment has been made.
- RHP Michael Wacha (left oblique strain) continues on the 10 day DL. Wacha has begun a throwing program. It is expected to take at least a month for Wacha to regain arm strength.
- RHP Carlos Martinez was placed on the 10 day DL retroactive to July 20. Right oblique strain. Martinez threw a side session on July 27. It is expected that Martinez will be activated and make a start on Monday, July 30.
- 2B Kolten Wong was placed on the 10 day DL with left knee inflammation. MRI revealed no structural damage. Began baseball activities on July 28. Wong is expected to return to the roster on or about August 1.
- LHP Brett Cecil was placed on the 10 day DL with right foot inflammation. No timetable for a return has been set.
- 1B Jose Martinez was scratched from Sunday’s lineup with ankle issues due to a slide into third base in Saturday’s game, but came into the game late.
Looking Ahead
The homestand continues on Monday with the opener of a four-game series with the Rockies. Carlos Martinez is scheduled to make the start on Monday. Jack Flaherty will make the Tuesday start, followed by Luke Weaver on Wednesday and Miles Mikolas on Thursday.
Following the homestand the Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh for a weekend series with Pirates. The team then heads to Miami for a three-game series against the Marlins.
After an off day that Thursday, the Cardinals travel to Kansas City for a weekend interleague series with the Royals. The team then returns to St. Louis for a seven-game homestand. The Cardinals play a four game series against the Nationals followed by a weekend series with the Brewers.
The Redbirds then travel west to play three games in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. The team has a travel day on Thursday to fly to Colorado for a weekend series against the Rockies.
The Cardinals’ regular season schedule can be found here.
Blast from the Past
Sunday marked the annual induction ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. No Cardinals were inducted this year, but there are 46 players and managers in the Hall of Fame associated with the Cardinals. Seventeen of those are in the Hall as Cardinals. This article spotlights one of those 17, one who is not as well known to Cardinals fans as the more popular Cardinals such as Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, and others.
Charles “Chick” Hafey was born on February 12, 1903 in Berkeley, California. The Cardinals signed Hafey as a pitcher out of high school. He was a good hitter, so the Cardinals decided to move him to the outfield. Hafey played for the Cardinals from 1924-1931 and was a member of two World Championship teams in 1926 and 1931. Hafey also holds the distinction of getting the first hit in an All-Star Game, though he did this as a Cincinnati Red after leaving St. Louis.
Hafey made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 1926 but played in only 78 games. The outfielder played full time in 1927 and led the National League in slugging. Hafey was known for having an excellent arm in the outfield.
During his peak years from 1928 to 1930, Hafey hit 82 home runs and drove in 343 runs. Hafey won the NL batting title in 1931 with a batting average of .349. In July of 1929, he tied a NL record with ten hits in ten consecutive at bats. He also hit for the cycle in August of 1930. In his eight seasons with the Cardinals, Hafey had a slash line of .326/.379/.568.
Hafey was often at odds with management over his salary and was once fined by general manager Branch Rickey in 1931 for being late and out of shape. Hafey demanded that Rickey add the fine to his 1932 salary, and when Rickey refused, Hafey left spring training camp. As a result, Rickey traded Hafey to the Cincinnati Reds.
One notable factoid about Hafey is that he is one of only two Hall of Famers with eyeglasses. The other is Reggie Jackson.
Hafey was inducted into Cooperstown in 1971 by the Veterans Committee. As such, Hafey was also part of the inaugural class of the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.
Hafey passed away on July 2, 1973.
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