St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Results for Sunday May 12, 2013

Memphis Redbirds were defeated by Fresno 7-4 in 11 innings on Sunday. Kolten Wong picked up 3 hits to move his average to .303 on the season. Oscar Taveras, Ryan Jackson and Justin Christian each collected 2 hits in the game. Nick Addition started the game and allowed 5 hits, 2 earned runs and struck out 6 in his innings of work. Eduardo Sanchez blew a save chance in one-third of an inning by giving up 2 runs. Barett Browning took the loss with one inning and allowing 4 hits and 3 runs.

Springfield Cardinals were 7-4 winners in their game with Northwest Arkansas. Anthony Ferrara got the win (3-3) by pitching 6 innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. He also fanned 3 and walked 3 in the game. Justin Wright got his 3^rd hold and Keith Butler his 5^th save of the season. Mike O’Neill got 2 hits to improve his average to .340 and Tommy Pham garnered 2 RBI’s.

Palm Beach did not have a game.

Peoria Chiefs defeated Quad Cities 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. Breyvic Valera got 3 hits including a triple and Alex Mejia contributed with 2 triples and 2 RBI’s in the win. Kyle Helisek picked up the win (3-1) with 6 innings on the hill and giving up 3 hits and 2 earned runs. He was followed by Joe Donofrio getting his 1^st hold and Zachary Petrick getting his 5^th save.

By: Tom on May 13th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

Memphis Redbirds had 6 runs scored against them in one inning and suffered a 6-5 loss on Saturday. Tyler Lyons was touched for four earned runs and nine hits in just over 5 innings of work. Kolten Wong, Ryan Jackson and Adron Chambers each had 2 hits in the game and Jamie Romak collected 2 RBI’s in the game. J.R. Towles homered in the game.

Springfield Cardinals lost 5-4 in 20 innings on Saturday night. Ruben Gotay went 3 for 9 including a home run while James Ramsey and Mike O’Neill each had 2 hits. The Cardinal batter fanned 19 times in the lengthy game. 7 pitchers were used in the game as position player Gotay hurled the 20^th inning and allowed 2 runs for his 1^st loss.

Palm Beach was postponed due to rain.

Peoria Chiefs were defeated by Quad Cities 3-2 in action on Saturday. Jacob Wilson had 2 hits including a home run and Charlie Tilson doubled for the only other extra base hit. Michael Aldrete took the loss in relief to move his record to 1-2 on the season.

By: Tom on May 12th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

Cardinal Farm System Results for Friday

Memphis Redbirds (19-14) defeated the Sacramento River Cats 10-3 on Friday evening. Oscar Taveras had 4 hits and 3 RBI’s along with a home run in the win. Adron Chambers had 3 hits and Ryan Jackson and Jamie Romak each collect 2 hits. Michael Wacha improved his record to 4-0 on the year with 6 innings of work where he allowed 3 hits and 2 runs. Marc Rzepcynski pitched 2 scoreless frames.

Springfield Cardinals were beaten by Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-4 on Friday. Mike O’Neill homered in the 1^st inning and knocked in 3 RBI’s as the Cardinals collected 10 hits in the loss. Vance Albitz, James Ramsey and Chris Swauger each got 2 hits in the game. Nick Greenwood (0-1) pitched 2.2 innings and allowed 4 hits and 5 runs and his ERA ballooned to 13.50.

Palm Beach Cardinals defeated St. Lucie Mets 7-3 on a 13-hit attack led by Stephen Piscotty’s 2 home run game. Anthony Garcia, Danny Steinstra and Nick Longmire each had 2 hits in the game. Scott Gorgen started and allowed 3 earned runs on 6 innings but Lee Stoppelman picked up the win in relief. Heath Wyatt pitched one scoreless inning.

Peoria Chiefs in the 1^st game of the doubleheader saw Joe Cuda blank Beloit 2-0 to pick up the win. He worked  5 innings and allowed 4 hits. Zach Petrick finished the game with 2 scoreless innings to see him garner his 4^th save of the season.

Kurt Heyer took his 1^st loss in Game 2 as Beloit shutout the Peoria Chiefs 4-0. Breyvic Valera got the only hit for Peoria in the 7-inning game.  Heyer allowed all 4 runs in 5.2 innings of work.

By: Tom on May 11th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

On Thursday, May 30, bring your friends for a great summer social event at Busch Stadium. You’ll have the chance to taste a variety of Anheuser-Busch specialty beers and new products. Each ticket provides entry into the Summer Beer Tasting, six 4oz samples and a commemorative tasting glass. Kick off your summer in style, catch a Cardinals game and stay up to date with all of the new brews available. Get your tickets today!

The St. Louis Cardinals invite students, faculty and staff of local colleges and universities to purchase a specially priced ticket that includes an exclusive Cardinals-themed tank top! On Tuesday April 30th and Monday May 13th get a Loge level ticket AND the tank top for just $19! **Please note, due to limited remaining inventory, this special ticket discount has been extended to include Bleacher tickets for Apr 30 vs. CIN and Right/Left Field Box tickets for May 13 vs. NYM.**

Don’t miss Gardening Night at Busch Stadium on Wednesday, May 29, when the Cards host the Kansas City Royals. Fans purchasing this special theme ticket will take home their very own, limited edition, Cardinals gardening tool set! Tickets start at just $22, and a portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Missouri Botanical Garden.

By: Tom on May 11th, 2013
Tagged as: Cardinals

Memphis Redbirds- Sacramento toppled the Redbirds 5-3 on Thursday as the Redbirds got 2 hits from Jamie Romak, including a home run and 2 hits from Justin Christian. They also stranded 10 runners in scoring position in the game. Memphis starter John Gast (3-1) struggled for the first time this season for his first loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits and a pair of walks in four innings. Three Redbirds relievers combined for five scoreless innings behind Gast. Sam Freeman and Jorge Rondon each hurled two frames before Mitchell Boggs ended the game with a shutout ninth inning.

Springfield Cardinals- The Cardinals were rained out and will play a doubleheader at Hammons Field on Friday beginning at 5:09 PM CT.

Palm Beach Cardinals- Nothing like getting pounded. The Cardinals managed 5 hits and were defeated 17-1 by St. Lucie. Starter Kyle Hald had nothing to offer as he went 2.2 innings and allowed 8 hits and 9 runs before giving way to Brandon Creath, Jose Almarante and Iden Nazario. Each of them gave up runs in the game. Palm Beach committed 2 errors in the game.

Peoria Chiefs- The Chiefs were defeated 6-1 in the first game of a doubleheader. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday to make up the game rained out in Peoria on April 10…Both games will be seven innings with at least a half hour between games…Game 1 starts at 4:00 p.m. and features Chiefs RH Joe Cuda (1-1, 9.00) against Snappers RH Austin House (0-2, 3.00) while game 2 will see Chiefs LH Hector Hernandez (1-1, 3.38) against Snappers RH Dakota Bacus (3-0, 3.60

NEWS: Peoria Chiefs Stadium has been re-named Dozer Park in a press release this morning by the Chiefs and Caterpillar Tractor Company. Caterpillar has the 10-yr naming rights.

By: Tom on May 10th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

How Do They Fare: A Look at St. Louis Cardinal Affiliates

Currently the Memphis Redbirds are in 1^st place in the Pacific Coast League American North with a record of 18-13 (.581). They are 7-5 at home and 11-8 on the road and are currently riding a 3 game win streak.

They are 13^th in the league in batting with a .261 average and 10^th in runs scored in the 16-team league. The pitching staff is 3^rd in ERA at 3.70 and lead the league with 5 shutouts. Memphis has allowed the fewest runs in the league and have given up the fewest home runs.

Springfield Cardinals are in 1^st place in the Texas League North Division with a 16-14 record. They are 10-8 at home at 6-6 on the road. They are 2^nd in team batting at .254 in the 8-team league and are 2^nd in home runs with 27. They are last in stolen bases with 16. Springfield is 5^th in team ERA at 3.77 and 7^th in walks allowed at 75 in 253 innings pitched.

Palm Beach Cardinals are 4^th in the Florida State League South Division with a 14-19 record. They are 8-9 at home at 6-10 on the road. They have won only one of their last ten games. They are 5^th in team batting in the 12-team league at .260 on the season. There is only one team in the league that has struck less than the Cardinals. The team is in the middle-of-the-pack in most offensive categories. In team pitching, they are 8^th in ERA at 3.94 and they have allowed 288 hits in 274 innings.

Peoria Chiefs are 4^th in the Midwest League North with a 14-13 record. They are 10-5 at home and 4-8 on the road. They have won 6 of their last 10 games played. They are 7^th in the 16-league conference in team batting at .256 and 6^th in total home runs at 16. The Chiefs are next to last in RBI’s at 105 for the season. They also have struck out the least of any team in the conference. Team Pitching finds the team 10^th in ERA at 4.09 and have struck out 231 batters for 6^th in the league.

By: Tom on May 10th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

The Cardinals and Their Affiliates: Wednesday Results

The St. Louis Cardinals found themselves in the final game of a 2 game series with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in a day game. Edward Mujica picked up his 9^th save in 9 chances as the Cardinals defeated the Cubs 5-4. Seth Maness relieved Jake Westbrook and induced 2 double plays in 2 innings of work. Carlos Beltran got 3 hits and 2 RBI’s and Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina each got 2 hits in the game.

Memphis Redbirds took on the Sacramento River Cats in afternoon action on Wednesday. They were victorious 6-2 with Kolten Wong getting 2 doubles and Oscar Taveras doubling in 2 runs for the game. Jermaine Curtis, Greg Garcia and Adron Chambers each contributed an RBI. Maikel Cleto started and last 5 innings and allowed 1 hit and struck out 6 batters as he also walked 5 in the game.

Springfield Cardinals did not play.

Palm Beach Cardinals took on Clearwater at Roger Dean Stadium and was defeated 5-4. Jonathan Rodriguez, Anthony Garcia and Matt Williams each had 2 hits in the loss. Travis Miller took the loss (0-5) with 5 innings on the mound. He allowed 4 hits and 3 runs and was replaced by Dean Kiekhefer who gave up 2 runs in 2 innings.

Peoria Chiefs traveled to Beloit to tangle with the Snappers on Wednesday evening. Beloit man-handled the Chiefs with a 6-1 win. Carson Kelly had 3 hits including a double and Casey Rasmus got 2 hits to see his average jump to .353. Jordan Walton collected 2 hits to see his average go to .354. Josh Lucas gave up 3 runs and 9 hits to absorb the loss and Jhonny Polanco relieved and allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

By: Tom on May 9th, 2013
Tagged as: Cardinals

Editors Note: In the next week I will be projecting the #19 and #28 picks that belong to the St. Louis Cardinals.

My Projections for Top 4 in the 2013 MLB Draft

#1- The Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow know how to do this correctly. The Pirates fumbled last year in their big pick of Mark Appel. Houston won’t miss this one. Jonathan Gray is a can’t miss guy from University of Oklahoma. He is a big guy that keeps seeing his fastball get faster. In high school the right hander was seeing the gun register 94 MPH and then Junior College saw it rise to 97. Now it sits consistently between 96-98 with an occasional 101 on the gun.

He likes to take something off the ball and tosses about 94-95. He is working on this pitch as it move inward on right handed batters. His secondary pitches are a curveball/slider which comes to the plate between 86-88 MPH. It is a plus pitch but he tends to become reliant on it and overuses it. He has not developed a changeup that is discernible.

Gray has been projected as a #2 starter but I believe he can be a future #1 starter in the major leagues. He is a Scott Boras client which always means the player gets his payday.

#2- The Cubs are in a good spot. If Gray is here, they take him. But the real #1 of the draft is Mark Appel. He shunned the Pirates last season but that is behind him. He will ask for his big pay from Chicago and will get it. The Stanford product is 6’5” and a power pitcher. His stuff includes a fastball-slider combination with plus written all over it. He has worked on and improved his changeup. One thing that Appel has done this year is work on his mechanic and he possessed a repeatable delivery.

#3- Colorado scouted the Cape Cod League very extensively last year and like a lefty with a high ceiling in Sean Manaea. He has had a few hiccups this season but if the Rockies take him, he will be the best in their system. He throws a 97 MPH fastball from the left side. Those are in demand.

#4- Minnesota looks at an athletic pitcher in Braden Shipley. The right hander from Nevada had 3 quality pitches (fastball/slider/change) and has a good pitchers frame to work with. The Twins see him as their future #2 starter behind Trevor Bauer.

Best hitter in the draft- Austin Meadows has the lumber. He can hit for power and has the uncanny ability to wait on the off-speed pitches. He will eventually be a corner outfield in the majors.

Steal of the Draft- Ian Clarkin is an excellent left-hander with a sharp curveball that has a 12-6 bite to it. He is a high-upside and pitchability beyond his years.

By: Tom on May 8th, 2013
Tagged as: Minor League Noise

Memphis Redbirds- Redbirds took a 3-2 win over Sacramento with singles runs in 3 different innings. Kolten Wong had 2 hits and an RBI and Oscar Taveras doubled in a run for the game. Greg Garcia also added 2 hits for the game. Nick Addition started for the AAA club and picked up the win with 6 innings of work where he allowed 4 hits and 2 earned runs. Rzepcynski and Boggs each recorded a hold and Victor Marte registered the save for his 7^th of the season.

Spring field Cardinals- Boone Whiting pitched 7 innings of masterful work which saw him allow 4 hits and no runs to pick up the win over Tulsa by a 2-0 score. Kevin Siegrist pitched the 8^th inning with no runs allowed to pick up his 3^rd hold of the year and Michael Blazek got his 6^th save in the 9^th with no runs allowed. Ruben Gotay drove in both runs with a double for his only hit. Xavier Scruggs had 2 hits in the game which included a double. No game for the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday.

Palm Beach- The PB Cardinals scattered 8 hits but committed 2 errors in their loss to Clearwater 2-0. Tim Cooney took the loss to see his record drop to 3-3 for the season. Lee Stoppelman pitched the last 2 innings but allowed a run. Jonatan Rodriguez and Ronny Gil each had 2 hits for the game.

Peoria Chiefs- Did not play.

The St. Louis Cardinals had their 6 game win streak snapped by the Cubs. Nate Schierholz homered off Lance Lynn for the game winner.

By: Tom on May 8th, 2013
Tagged as: Cardinals

Oscar Taveras got 4 hits in an extra inning affair which saw the Memphis Redbirds score 7 runs in the 11^th inning to win 11-4. Taveras has moved his average to .302 while Ryan Jackson banged 3 hits and he is at a stellar .341 on the season. Kolten Wong hit his first home run of the year and Brock Peterson hit 2 doubles and got 4 hits. Adron Chambers added 3 RBI’s in the win.

Tyler Lyons went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs but Eduardo Sanchez allowed 2 runs to blow the save chance. Sam Freeman (3-0) picked up the win in relief and Victor Marte finished the last inning.

Palm Beach lost 7-3 to Clearwater in an early game on Monday. Danny Steinstra got 2 hits and Colin Walsh homered in the loss. Jonathan Cornelius (0-1) took the loss by tossing 4.1 innings of work and allowed 8 hits and 2 earned runs. Iden Nazario relieved and gave up 2 hits and 3 runs in 2 innings of work. Heath Wyatt finished the game with 2.2 innings on the mound without allowing a run.

Peoria Chiefs defeated Fort Wayne 4-1 as Jacob Wilson got 3 hits including a double and Patrick Wisdom, Casey Rasmus and Breyvic Valera each hammered 2 hits apiece. Kyle Helisek got the win by allowing 1 run in 5 innings. Cory Baker and Joseph Scanio each notched a hold and Dixon Llorens picked up this 4^th save of the season.

Springfield Cardinals were drilled by the Tulsa Drillers 15-4 on Monday night. James Ramsey had 2 hits and Chris Swauger and Luis Mateo each picked up 2 RBI’s. Starter Anthony Ferrara gave up 7 runs, Kevin Thomas followed and allowed 3 runs and Nick Greenwood gave up 5.

By: Tom on May 7th, 2013
Tagged as: Cardinals