photo: Jose Martinez (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports Images)
In this week’s St. Louis Cardinals action, the club played .500 ball against inferior competition and remains in third place. Jose Martinez’ bat is heating up again, but Carlos Martinez is scuffling. In our history feature, the many accomplishments of Red Schoendienst are remembered.
Game Recaps
Monday, June 4 – Off day
Tuesday, June 5 – Cardinals 4, Marlins 7
The Cardinals began a three game series against the Marlins, neck and neck with Cincinnati as the worst team in the National League. It should have been a cake walk but was very much not. St. Louis was defeated due to a lack of timely hitting, poor defense and baserunning and pitching that was inconsistent.
Starter Carlos Martinez, back from a stint on the disabled list, pitched like he perhaps should have still been on the disabled list. After just one brief rehab start, Martinez was back on a major league mound, and pitched only four innings, giving up two runs on four hits, but walking five and striking out five. The Cardinals called up Preston Guilmet from Memphis, and he was brought in to replace Martinez. Guilmet proceeded to surrender three runs in one inning pitched. Austin Gomber covered the sixth and was similarly ineffective, allowing two runs in his one inning of relief. Tyler Lyons, Sam Tuivailala and John Brebbia stopped the bleeding as each pitched a scoreless inning. Guilmet earned the loss.
St. Louis batters had 12 hits, but only put four runs on the board. 11 of the hits were singles, plus a double by Kolten Wong. The first run scored on Yadier Molina’s single in the second inning. Tommy Pham grounded into a double play in the third that brought a run home. In the fifth, Pham again grounded into an out that plated a run. Marcell Ozuna added an RBI single. That concluded St, Louis scoring. Matt Carpenter went 3-for-5. Jose Martinez was 2-for-4 and Ozuna was 3-for-4.
On the base paths, Pham was picked off third base. In the field, both Carpenter and Yairo Munoz made throwing errors.
Wednesday, June 6 – Cardinals 3, Marlins 11
If the first loss against a poor Marlins team wasn’t bad enough, the second one was worse. The Marlins shelled St. Louis pitching. Errors by the defense didn’t help.
Jack Flaherty started, and pitched five innings, giving up six runs, four earned, on eight hits. The right hander fanned six and walked one. Brett Cecil allowed two more runs, one earned, in the sixth. Then came Preston Guilmet for the second night in a row and surrendered two runs in the seventh. John Brebbia pitched a scoreless eighth. By the ninth, the game was a laugher, so in came infielder Jedd Gyorko to pitch. He gave up less runs than the rest of the pitching staff, one home run that inning. Flaherty was tagged with the loss.
The offense scored three runs on eight hits. Jose Martinez doubled in a run in the third inning. Yairo Munoz plated a run on a sac fly in the fourth. In the seventh, Martinez hit an RBI single. Martinez went 3-for-3. Tommy Pham was 2-for-4.
In the field, Munoz made three errors, two fielding and one throwing. On the bright side, Harrison Bader had an outfield assist.
Thursday, June 7 – Cardinals 4, Marlins 1
The Cardinals mercifully avoided a Marlins sweep at Busch Stadium in the final game of the series. Home runs were hit by Jose Martinez and Luke Voit. Martinez hit a two run shot and Voit hit a solo home run. The other Cardinal run scored in the sixth on a single by Marcell Ozuna. Tommy Pham went 2-for-4, Martinez was 2-for-3, and Kolten Wong was also 2-for-3.
Starter Miles Mikolas pitched seven innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits while striking out five and walking one. Jordan Hicks tossed a scoreless eighth and Bud Norris closed with a scoreless ninth.
Wong was caught stealing for the third time. Dexter Fowler committed a fielding error.
Friday, June 8 – Cardinals 7 at Reds 6 (10 innings)
The Cardinals played the other worst NL team, but fared better this time. The first win was hard fought though and took extra innings. Starter Luke Weaver pitched five innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. The right hander struck out three but walked five. It was not his best start. Austin Gomber and Sam Tuivailala combined for two scoreless innings of relief. Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless eighth. Bud Norris came in for the save in the ninth but blew it, surrendering two runs on four hits. Norris did get the win due to his offense coming back in extra innings. John Brebbia pitched a scoreless 10th.
The first two Cardinal runs scored on a solo home runs by Jose Martinez in the first, and Yairo Munoz in the second. In the third, Martinez hit his second long ball of the contest, a three run shot. Matt Carpenter plated a run on a single in the seventh. In the 10th, Jedd Gyorko’s single to left gave the Cardinals the victory. Jose Martinez went 2-for-4 with his two homers.
Saturday, June 9 – Cardinals 6 at Reds 4
In the second game of the series, the Cardinals pulled out the victory in regulation, thought the Reds made it closer in the later innings. Jose Martinez and Marcell Ozuna hit back to back solo home runs in the first inning to put the Cardinals on the board first. In the third, Yadier Molina’s bases clearing double increased the lead to 5-0. Matt Carpenter added an insurance run via a solo home run in the seventh inning. Carpenter went 2-for-5. Molina was 2-for-3.
Starter Michael Wacha did not repeat his prior almost-no hit performance. Wacha pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. The right hander fanned six and walked three. Mike Mayers surrendered a run in one inning of relief. Austin Gomber got the last out of the seventh in replacement of Mayers. Sam Tuivailala allowed one run in the eighth. Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless ninth.
Tommy Pham stole his ninth base of the season.
Sunday, June 10 – Cardinals 3 at Reds 6
The Cardinals were unable to complete the road sweep of the Reds on Sunday. Carlos Martinez had his second poor start since returning from the DL. The team’s ace pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on four hits. The right hander walked seven and struck out five. Mike Mayers relieved and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Brett Cecil surrendered one run in two innings. John Brebbia tossed a scoreless ninth. Martinez suffered his third loss of the season.
Marcell Ozuna plated the St. Louis run in the third inning, on a weird fly ball single to left that was originally ruled a catch. The call was overturned on replay as the ball hit the wall before falling into the upturned glove of left fielder Jesse Winkler. Yadier Molina’s sac fly created the second run of the inning. The Cardinals didn’t score again until the sixth, when a throw home on a Yairo Munoz fly ball out bounced over the Reds catcher, and then bounced over the relief pitcher who was backing up the play and went into the Cardinals dugout. Greg Garcia scored. Matt Carpenter went 2-for-5. Jose Martinez, Marcell Ozuna and Harrison Bader each went 2-for-4.
Brett Cecil picked a runner off first base.
Big Picture
The Cardinals played a .500 week, losing two games to the Marlins and one game to the Reds. Last week, I suggested that the Cardinals should sweep the Marlins and possibly the Reds and gain ground. Unfortunately, it was not done. The Cardinals played mediocre baseball against two teams they should have dominated.
The pitching faltered, both starting and relief. Mikolas and Wacha were good, but Weaver, Flaherty, and Martinez all had poor starts. In the bullpen, Jordan Hicks was very good, as was John Brebbia. The usually consistent Bud Norris had another blown save during the week. The rest of the bullpen was average to poor. Brett Cecil appears to still be struggling with both command and velocity.
Defense was just bad with errors all over the infield, especially from Yairo Munoz. Baserunning was so-so.
The Cardinals play the Padres and the Cubs this week. The Padres aren’t good but always seem to play the Cardinals hard. The Cubs are back to winning regularly, and come in strong, though they did lose on Sunday to the Pirates. The Cardinals need to win the series against the Padres, and at least one from the Cubs, if not two. But this team has shown that “need to” and “able to” are not the same.
The Cardinals are 35-28 and are in third place in the NL Central, three games back of the Brewers, and 2.5 games back of the Cubs.
| NL Central | Wins | Losses | Percent | GB |
| Milwaukee | 39 | 26 | 0.600 | – |
| Chicago | 37 | 25 | 0.597 | 0.5 |
| St. Louis | 35 | 28 | 0.556 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh | 32 | 33 | 0.492 | 7 |
| Cincinnati | 23 | 43 | 0.350 | 16.5 |
Who’s Hot
Over the past six games (does not contain recent Sunday game results):
- Marcell Ozuna has an OPS of 1.012. He has two HRs, and seven RBI.
- Jose Martinez has an OPS of 1.250. He has four HRs, two doubles, and nine RBI.
- Miles Mikolas has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.57.
- Michael Wacha has an ERA of 1.32 and a WHIP of 0.73.
- Jordan Hicks has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.00.
- John Brebbia has an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.00.
Who’s Not
Over the past six games (does not contain recent Sunday game):
- Harrison Bader has an OPS of .231.
- Dexter Fowler has an OPS of .368
- Jedd Gyorko has an OPS of .417.
- Luke Weaver has an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 2.40.
- Jack Flaherty has an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 1.80.
- Bud Norris has an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.00.
- Brett Cecil has an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 4.00.
- Mike Mayers has an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.00.
- Austin Gomber has an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 2.63.
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 Tommy Pham for five games and Jose Martinez for one game.
- The number three hitter has been Martinez for five games and Pham for one game.
- The cleanup hitter has been Marcell Ozuna.
- The fifth hitter has been Yadier Molina for four games, Fowler for one game, and Harrison Bader for one game.
- The sixth hitter has been Yairo Munoz for two games, Fowler for two games, and Jedd Gyorko for two games.
- The seventh hitter has been Munoz for two games, Kolten Wong for two games, Bader for one game, and Fowler for one game.
- The eighth hitter has been Francisco Pena for two games, Wong for two games, and Munoz for two games.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
- 6/4 The Cardinals optioned C Carson Kelly to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/5 The Cardinals activated RHP Carlos Martinez from the 10 day disabled list.
- 6/5 The Cardinals activated C Yadier Molina from the 10 day disabled list.
- 6/5 The Cardinals placed 2B Greg Garcia on the Paternity List.
- 6/5 The Cardinals designated C Steven Baron for assignment.
- 6/5 The Cardinals optioned RHP Mike Mayers to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/5 The Cardinals selected the contract of RHP Preston Guilmet from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/7 The Cardinals activated 2B Greg Garcia from the Paternity List.
- 6/7 The Cardinals sent RHP Greg Holland on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/7 The Cardinals sent RHP Matt Bowman on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/7 The Cardinals designated RHP Preston Guilmet for assignment.
- 6/7 The Cardinals sent C Steven Baron outright to the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/8 The Cardinals placed LHP Tyler Lyons on the 10 day disabled list retroactive to June 6, 2018. Left elbow sprain.
- 6/8 The Cardinals recalled RHP Mike Mayers from the Memphis Redbirds.
- 6/9 The Toronto Blue Jays claimed RHP Preston Guilmet off waivers from the Cardinals.
Injury Report
- RHP Dominic Leone (right upper arm nerve irritation) was transferred from the 10 day DL to the 60 day DL. Leone is expected to be out for an indefinite period. Leone has engaged in strength training and other rehab exercises but has not been cleared for any baseball activity.
- RHP Alex Reyes (right lat strain) had surgery on June 6 to reattach a tendon in his right lat. Reyes will be out for the remainder of the season but is expected to make a full recovery.
- RHP Adam Wainwright (right elbow inflammation) continues on the 60 day DL. There is expectation that Wainwright will return to start later in the 2018 season.
- RHP Luke Gregerson (right shoulder impingement) continues on the 10 day DL. No announcement has been made of an impending rehab assignment.
- SS Paul DeJong (fractured left hand) continues to recover from hand surgery. No timetable for his return has been announced.
- RHP Matt Bowman (blisters on the right hand) was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 7. A return to the roster is expected soon.
- RHP Greg Holland (right hip impingement) was sent on a rehab assignment to the Memphis Redbirds on June 7. A return to the roster is expected soon.
- LHP Tyler Lyons (left elbow sprain) was placed on the 10 day DL retroactive to June 6. No timetable for a return to the roster has been announced.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals return home from Cincinnati to begin a three game series in Busch Stadium with the Padres. Jack Flaherty is scheduled to make the Monday start. Miles Mikolas will go Tuesday, followed by Luke Weaver on Wednesday.
The Cardinals will have an off day Thursday, then play a weekend series against the Cubs in Busch Stadium. No starters for the series have been announced, but will likely be Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez, and Jack Flaherty.
Following the Cubs series, the Cardinals travel to Philadelphia to play the Phillies in a three game series. After leaving Philadelphia, the Redbirds travel to Milwaukee for a four game weekend series with the Brewers.
The Cardinals return to St. Louis from Milwaukee to begin a three game interleague series with the Cleveland Indians at Busch Stadium. After an off day, the Braves come to St. Louis for a weekend series.
The Cardinals’ regular season schedule can be found here.
Blast from the Past
Cardinal Nation received very sad news this past week when it was announced that former player, manager, Hall of Famer, and Cardinal icon Red Schoendienst passed away at the age of 95. Like his former teammate and roommate Stan Musial, Red was beloved by all.
Albert Fred “Red” Schoendienst was born on February 2, 1923 in Germantown Illinois, a town about 40 miles east of St. Louis. Red was a Cardinals fan from childhood, and in 1942, at the age of 19, Schoendienst went to an open tryout for the team. He was not signed, but a scout later changed his mind and traveled to Germantown to sign him for $75 per month. Red was a switch hitter and began his baseball career with the Albany Cardinals in the Georgia-Florida League. He was drafted into the US Army in 1944 but received a medical discharge due to a prior eye injury.
Schoendienst spent three years in the minor leagues before being invited to major league spring training in 1945 and made his debut on April 17, 1945, as a left fielder. Red was later moved to the infield that season, seeing time at both shortstop and second base. He was primarily a second baseman for the rest of his St. Louis career. He played in nine All-Star Games as a Cardinal and was the NL stolen base leader in his rookie season. He was a part of the 1946 World Champion team as a player, was a coach of the 1964 World Series team and the manager of the 1967 World Series team.
Red was traded on June 14, 1956 to the New York Giants. It was a very unpopular trade with Cardinals fans. The Giants dealt Schoendienst to the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 and he was part of the World Champion Braves that season. Red was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1958 and did not play in 1959. He returned in 1960 but was released by the Braves at the end of the season. Schoendienst returned to the Cardinals in 1961 and remained with them as both a player and a coach until he retired in 1963. Red was named as the replacement for manager Johnny Keane after Keane resigned following the 1964 season.
Red was St. Louis’ manager from 1965-1976. He was interim manager in both 1980 and 1990. His managerial record with the Cardinals was 1,041 wins and 955 losses. After that phase of is career was over, Red remained employed with the Cardinals as a special assistant coach through 2017, his 72nd consecutive season as a major league player, coach, or manager.
Schoendienst was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 1989. The Cardinals retired his number 2 in 1996. Red was also inducted to the inaugural class of the Cardinal Hall of Fame in 2014.
Red was married with four children, eight living grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. On November 13, 2017, Red became the oldest living member of the Hall of Fame at the age of 94.
Red will be sorely missed by all. He was a Cardinal legend and will never be forgotten.
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