photo: Matt Carpenter (Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports)
The surging St. Louis Cardinals have won three consecutive series for the first time in 2018. Matt Carpenter was named the National League Player of the Month and more trades remade the roster further. In our weekly history feature, the Tony Pena-Andy Van Slyke trade is remembered.
Cardinals make deadline moves
After remaking the bullpen in a series of moves over the weekend before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Cardinals fans awoke on deadline day to learn that the Cardinals had traded starting center fielder Tommy Pham to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cardinals sent Pham and $500,000 in international pool money to the Rays in exchange for three prospects: OF Justin Williams, and pitchers Genesis Cabrera and Roel Ramirez. Williams was assigned to Triple-A Memphis and both Cabrera and Ramirez headed to Double-A Springfield.
The trade was characterized by President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak as opening up opportunities for younger players, specifically outfielders Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill. O’Neill was recalled from the Memphis Redbirds to take Pham’s roster spot. Pham had spent 12 years in the Cardinals organization, missing time due to various injuries over that span. Pham had a breakout year in 2017 and returned for 2018 to take over the center field position from Dexter Fowler, who moved to right field. Pham began the year hot but cooled off considerably since.
The Cardinals made one other move at the deadline, sending Memphis center fielder Oscar Mercado to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for two lower level outfielders in Conner Capel and Jhon Torres, both left handed hitters which the team had been seeking. Capel is assigned to High-A Palm Beach and Torres reported to the Rookie League GCL Cardinals.
In a post-deadline move, the Cardinals claimed pitcher Tyson Ross off waivers from the San Diego Padres. Ross will join the Cardinals in Miami. His role is unclear as of this writing, though his experience is as a starter.
Carpenter top NL player in July
Matt Carpenter was voted NL Player of the Month for July. The 32-year-old batted .333 (31-for-93) with 22 runs scored, 8 doubles, 11 home runs, 21 RBI and 19 walks across 26 games.
Among July qualified NL hitters, Carpenter finished 1st in runs, home runs, extra-base hits (19) and slugging pct. (.774), 2nd in on-base pct. (.447), T2nd walks, T4th in doubles, T5th in RBI, and 6th in hits.
It was Carpenter’s first career NL Player of the Month Award and the St. Louis’ first since Albert Pujols in August 2010.
Carpenter now leads the NL in home runs with 29, including each of the last three games, and has an active 24-game on-base streak.
Game Recaps
Monday, July 30 – Cardinals 5, Rockies 4 (10 innings)
After taking two of three from the Cubs over the weekend, the Cardinals entertained the Rockies for a four-game series. In Game 1, the Cardinals squeaked by with the win in extra innings. Carlos Martinez, fresh off the DL, started the game for the Redbirds. The right hander lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits but was removed due to injury. After the game, it was announced that Martinez suffered a shoulder injury during the game and was placed right back on the DL. Daniel Poncedeleon came in for the injured Martinez and his first MLB hit allowed was a grand slam, scoring two of Martinez’ runners and two of his own. Following Poncedeleon’s 2 1/3 frames was Jordan Hicks, Bud Norris, and Dakota Hudson, each with a scoreless inning. Hudson was awarded the win.
The offense had to play catch up following the grand slam by Nolan Arenado that put the Redbirds in a 4-0 hole. Jedd Gyorko hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. In the seventh, Harrison Bader drew a walk with the bases loaded to score Marcell Ozuna. Matt Carpenter singled to center to plate Yairo Munoz and Bader. In the 10th, Ozuna hit a solo home run for the walk off win. Carpenter went 3-for-4. Gyorko was 2-for-3.
Dexter Fowler stole his fifth base of the season. Martinez and Poncedeleon both made errors on pickoff attempts.
Tuesday, July 31 – Cardinals 3, Rockies 6
The Cardinals dropped Game 2 of the series to the Rockies. Matt Carpenter’s leadoff solo home run in the first inning put the Cardinals on the board, but it would be the only run until the eighth inning. The Rockies carried a five run lead into the eighth, when Carpenter drove in the second run for the Redbirds on a sac fly, and Dexter Fowler scored the third run on a wild pitch with Yadier Molina at the plate. Newly recalled Tyler O’Neill was the only Redbird with multiple hits, as he was 2-for-3.
Jack Flaherty had a so-so 5 1/3 inning start, giving up four runs on five hits. The right hander did strike out seven and walked two. Recently acquired lefty Chasen Shreve pitched a scoreless inning, getting the final two outs of the sixth and the first out of the seventh. John Brebbia secured the final two outs of the seventh, but surrendered two additional runs to get there. Tyler Webb and Mike Mayers pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively.
Wednesday, August 1 – Cardinals 6, Rockies 3
The Cardinals turned the tables on the Rockies, defeating them by the same score as their prior day loss. A 36 pitch third inning knocked starter Luke Weaver out early. Weaver pitched 2 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits. For the second time in the series, Daniel Poncedeleon came in to replace the early-departing starter. Poncedeleon pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Austin Gomber took over in the sixth and tossed a scoreless inning and was ultimately the winner. Dakota Hudson pitched a scoreless seventh and Jordan Hicks hurled a run-free eighth. Mike Mayers surrendered a run in the ninth.
After getting behind 2-0 in the third inning, the offense responded with one run in the bottom frame when Matt Carpenter scored on a single by Paul DeJong. Poncedeleon grounded out in the fourth to plate Yairo Munoz. In the sixth, Tyler O’Neill drove in Harrison Bader on a single. Yadier Molina doubled in the eighth to score Bader and Carpenter, and Marcell Ozuna drove in Molina on a single. Molina went 3-for-5, as did Ozuna. Bader was 3-for-4.
O’Neill stole his first base of the season, and Carpenter did the same. Harrison Bader stole his 10th base.
Thursday, August 2 – Cardinals 3, Rockies 2
In the final game of the set, the Cardinals took the one-run victory. St. Louis’ offense took the 1-0 lead in the third on a sac fly by Tyler O’Neill that scored Miles Mikolas. The Rockies came back to score two, but the Cardinals added two in the ninth to walk it off. Greg Garcia and Harrison Bader singled, then stole second base. With Garcia on third and Bader on second, Jose Martinez hit a single to right field to score both.
Mikolas pitched seven innings and gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits. John Brebbia and Chasen Shreve each added a scoreless inning of relief. Shreve got the win.
Bader stole his 11th base of the season. Paul DeJong was caught stealing for the first time. Mikolas made a throwing error and Marcell Ozuna had an outfield assist.
Friday, August 3 – Cardinals 6 at Pirates 7
The Cardinals lost a heartbreaker in the first game of the weekend series in Pittsburgh. John Gant had a rough outing on the mound, going four innings and giving up six runs on eight hits. John Brebbia pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Tyler Webb tossed a scoreless seventh. Jordan Hicks gave up the winning run in the eighth and took the loss.
Matt Carpenter once again got the Cardinals on the board with a leadoff home run in the first inning. Yairo Munoz doubled in the second to score Jedd Gyorko. In the fifth, Gyorko singled to plate Paul DeJong, Dexter Fowler singled to score Tyler O’Neill, and Jose Martinez drove in Gyorko on a ground out. Gyorko grounded out in the eighth to drive in Marcell Ozuna. Carpenter, Gyorko, and Fowler were each 2-for-4. O’Neill was 3-for-5 and Munoz was 3-for-4.
Fowler suffered a fractured left foot in the game and was put on the disabled list.
Saturday, August 4 – Cardinals 8 at Pirates 4
The Cardinals took out their revenge on the Pirates in the second game of the series on Saturday. Starter Austin Gomber went only four innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Dakota Hudson gave the Cardinals three scoreless relief innings. Mike Mayers and Bud Norris each pitched a scoreless inning.
After falling behind 1-0, the offense responded with three runs in the third inning. Jose Martinez doubled to score Matt Carpenter. Jedd Gyorko doubled to plate Yadier Molina and Martinez. Molina singled in Harrison Bader in the fourth. After the Pirates came back to tie, the Cardinals put up two runs in the fifth on another Gyorko double and a ground out by Bader. Another run was added in the sixth on a Kolten Wong single. Carpenter put the finishing touches on the win with his solo home run in the ninth.
Molina stole his fourth base of the season.
Sunday, August 5 – Cardinals 2 at Pirates 1
The Cardinals took three of four from the Pirates with a one-run victory on Sunday. The game was scoreless until the fifth when the Cardinals took the lead 2-0 on a solo home run by Matt Carpenter and an RBI single by Jedd Gyorko. Those were the only St. Louis runs in the game, but they were enough, barely. Yadier Molina went 2-for-5 and Jose Martinez was 2-for-4.
Jack Flaherty had a much better start than his previous one. Flaherty pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits while fanning seven and walking one. Chasen Shreve surrendered the only Pirates run on a home run in the seventh. Mike Mayers and Jordan Hicks secured one out each in the seventh. Hicks returned to pitch a scoreless eighth. Bud Norris twirled a scoreless ninth to earn his 21st save. Flaherty was awarded his fifth win.
Greg Garcia stole his first base of the season.
Big Picture
The Cardinals had a good week, finishing 5-2, taking 3 of 4 from the Colorado Rockies, and 2 of 3 from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The wins over the Pirates put the Cardinals back in the third place spot in the NL Central, 6.5 games back of the Cubs and 5.5 games back of the Brewers.
The team has shown improvement under the direction of new manager Mike Shildt, showing new energy. The moves made by the front office to improve the bullpen have worked so far. Starting pitching remains basically the same, but still in flux after Carlos Martinez went back on the DL after one start. The two rotation spots held by Martinez and Michael Wacha have been taken over by John Gant, who has pitched inconsistently, and for the last week by Austin Gomber. The Cardinals’ recent acquisition of Tyson Ross from the Padres is yet to be clarified but adding him to the rotation is a possibility.
On offense, Matt Carpenter continues his amazing run. Jedd Gyorko has been seeing more playing time and it has showed in his offense. The addition of Tyler O’Neill holds promise, but the outfielder has missed the last two games with a groin issue and may go on the DL. Harrison Bader is playing more, and though his offense has been inconsistent, his defense and his baserunning have been a plus. Dexter Fowler went on the DL with a fractured foot, though his offense will unfortunately not be missed as he continued to struggle at the plate. Marcell Ozuna had a couple of good games in the past week, but he has not put together a sustained run of offense. Paul DeJong is struggling. Kolten Wong returned from the DL and picked up where he left off.
Defense and base running have been hit and miss. The good speed of Bader has been a plus; a stolen base in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game was the key to the victory.
The Cardinals have two series against last place teams in the Marlins and the Royals coming up. Both series should be taken by the Cardinals. Sweeps are needed to really make up ground.
| NL Central Standings | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Chicago | 64 | 47 | 0.577 | – |
| Milwaukee | 65 | 50 | 0.565 | 1 |
| St. Louis | 58 | 54 | 0.518 | 6.5 |
| Pittsburgh | 57 | 55 | 0.509 | 7.5 |
| Cincinnati | 49 | 63 | 0.438 | 15.5 |
Who’s Hot
Over the past seven games (does not contain recent Sunday game results):
- Matt Carpenter has an OPS of 1.439. He has three HR, two doubles, and six RBI.
- Kolten Wong has an OPS of 1.400 in five plate appearances. He has one double and one RBI.
- Tyler O’Neill has an OPS of 1.252. He has seven singles and two RBI.
- Jedd Gyorko has an OPS of 1.010. He has one HR, two doubles and six RBI.
- Miles Mikolas has an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 1.29.
- Chasen Shreve has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.00.
- Tyler Webb has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.00.
- Dakota Hudson has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.40.
- Bud Norris has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.50.
Who’s Not
Over the past seven games (does not contain recent Sunday games).
- Greg Garcia has an OPS of .282.
- Paul DeJong has an OPS of .268.
- Dexter Fowler has an OPS of .476.
- John Gant has an ERA of 8.64 and a WHIP of 1.80.
- Luke Weaver has an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.63.
- Austin Gomber has an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 2.29.
A Look at Cardinals Lineups
The lineups over the last seven 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 for six games and Tyler O’Neill for one game.
- The cleanup hitter has been Marcell Ozuna.
- The fifth hitter has been Jedd Gyorko for four games, Jose Martinez for two games, and O’Neill for one game.
- The sixth hitter has been Yairo Munoz for three games, Gyorko for two games, O’Neill for one game, and Tommy Pham for one game.
- The seventh hitter has been Dexter Fowler for five games, Kolten Wong for one game, and Greg Garcia for one game.
- The eighth hitter has been Harrison Bader for four games, Munoz for two games, and Garcia for one game.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 7/30 The Cardinals placed RHP Luke Gregerson on the 10 day disabled list retroactive to July 26, 2018. Right shoulder impingement.
- 7/30 The Cardinals activated LHP Chasen Shreve.
- 7/30 The Cardinals activated RHP Carlos Martinez from the 10 day disabled list.
- 7/30 The Cardinals optioned LHP Tyler Webb to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/31 The Cardinals placed RHP Carlos Martinez on the 10 day disabled list. Right shoulder strain.
- 7/31 The Cardinals traded OF Tommy Pham and international bonus pool money to the Tampa Bay Rays for OF Justin Williams, LHP Genesis Cabrera, and RHP Roel Ramirez.
- 7/31 The Cardinals traded OF Oscar Mercado to the Cleveland Indians for OF Conner Capel and OF Jhon Torres.
- 7/31 The Cardinals recalled OF Tyler O’Neill from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 7/31 The Cardinals recalled LHP Tyler Webb from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/1 The Cardinals sent RHP Dominic Leone on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/1 The Cardinals released RHP Greg Holland.
- 8/2 The Cardinals sent 2B Kolten Wong on a rehab assignment to the Peoria Chiefs.
- 8/3 The Cardinals sent LHP Tyler Lyons outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 8/4 The Cardinals activated 2B Kolten Wong from the 10 day disabled list.
- 8/4 The Cardinal placed OF Dexter Fowler on the 10 day disabled list. Left foot fracture.
- 8/5 The Cardinals claimed RHP Tyson Ross off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
Injury Report
- RHP Dominic Leone (right upper arm nerve irritation) was transferred from the 10 day DL to the 60 day DL. Leone was sent on a rehab assignment to Memphis on August 1.
- 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 threw a high intensity bullpen session on August 1. 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 in St. Louis. It is possible Wacha will return to the roster in late August.
- RHP Carlos Martinez was placed on the 10 day DL on July 31 after being activated from the DL the day before. Martinez had been on the DL with a lat strain. Martinez started on Monday but left the game with a right shoulder strain. Martinez is expected to miss 3-4 starts with the new injury.
- LHP Brett Cecil was placed on the 10 day DL with right foot inflammation. Cecil is scheduled to being a rehab assignment in Memphis on August 6.
- RHP Luke Gregerson (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 10 day DL on July 29, retroactive to July 26. No timetable for a return to the roster has been set as a second opinion is being sought.
- OF Dexter Fowler suffered a fractured left foot in Friday’s game in Pittsburgh. Fowler was placed on the 10 day DL on August 4. The outfielder is expected to be in a walking boot for a month.
- OF Tyler O’Neill missed the last two games due to groin discomfort. It is possible the outfielder will be placed on the DL in the upcoming days.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals begin the week in Miami for a three-game series with the Marlins. The pitching probables are Luke Weaver on Monday, Miles Mikolas on Tuesday, and John Gant on Wednesday.
The Cardinals have a travel day on Thursday and fly to Kansas City for a weekend interleague series against the Royals. No pitching probables have been set for the series. The acquisition of Tyson Ross from the Padres over the weekend may affect the rotation following the Miami series.
The team returns home on Monday to begin a seven game homestand. The Cardinals will take on the Nationals at Busch Stadium for a four game series, then a weekend set with the Brewers.
Following the homestand, the Cardinals travel to the West Coast to play the Dodgers in a three game set beginning Monday, August 20. After an off day on Thursday, the Cardinals travel to Colorado for a weekend series with the Rockies.
After the Rockies series, the Cardinals return home and begin a three game series against the Pirates on Tuesday after a Monday off day.
The Cardinals’ regular season schedule can be found here.
Blast from the Past
The trade deadline brought significant changes to the Cardinals roster this past week. Additions as well as subtractions give the Redbirds a whole new look and hopefully the impetus to make a run at the post season. This week’s article takes a look at a memorable trade from the past that involved the Pittsburgh Pirates – a deal that didn’t happen at the trade deadline but was a significant trade in Cardinal history.
Past articles have looked at Cardinal trades of note, both good and bad, including the Ernie Broglio/Lou Brock trade (good) and the Steve Carlton for Rick Wise trade (bad). Another significant trade from the past left many Cardinals fans unhappy, including this author. That trade happened in April of 1987, when the Cardinals traded outfielder Andy Van Slyke, catcher Mike LaValliere, and minor league pitcher Mike Dunne to the Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Tony Pena.
Van Slyke’s initial reaction to the news of the trade was that he thought it was an April Fool’s joke. This author had a similar reaction. Pena was reported to be unhappy with the trade as well. Pena was a good defensive catcher and is the father of current Cardinals backup catcher Francisco Pena.
Pena suffered a broken thumb after playing three games for the Cardinals in 1987. After returning from the injury Pena was slow to recover offensively. The Cardinals went to the post season in 1987 and Pena rebounded, hitting .381 in the NLCS. Pena played for the Cardinals in 1988 and 1989 and was good but not great offensively with continued good defense for the most part. Pena was granted free agency in 1989 and signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Van Slyke, on the other hand, played eight seasons with the Pirates, seasons which turned out to be the best of his career. He won five consecutive Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and was an All-Star three times as a Pirate. He finished fourth in the MVP voting in both 1988 and 1992. He led the NL in triples in 1988 and led the NL in hits and doubles in 1992. Van Slyke played for the Pirates through the 1994 season before splitting his last season in 1995 between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies.
For a good write up on the trade in April 1987, see this article by the Ocala Star-Banner.
Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Gulf Coast League Cardinals Notebook – 2018 Week 7
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.
© 2018 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.