John Nagel writes as the Prospect Preacher and is the owner of CardinalsFarm.com where he covers the Cardinals minor league system on a daily basis.
The Baby Birds went 2-2 on Saturday night while the big news was the return of #1 prospect Oscar Taveras. Taveras went 1-for-4 with a double in his return. David Popkins has been on a hot streak for the Palm Beach Cardinals. Popkins has an 8-game hitting streak and is hitting well over .500 in those 8 games. The Peoria Chiefs won in unusual fashion as a passed ball on an intentional walk pitch got past the catcher and allowed Jacob Wilson to score. Joe Cuda was outstanding for 7 innings, only allowing 2 hits and striking out 8. Tim Cooney was also solid in the Springfield loss.
Nashville 7, Memphis (32-29) 1
Oscar Taveras made his first start since May 12 and went 1-for-4 with a double. Jermaine Curtis and Rob Johnson led way with 2 hits each. Curtis had a double and Johnson had the lone RBI. Jamie Romak, Adron Chambers, and the pitcher Nick Additon had the remaining Redbirds’ hits. The Redbirds were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Mitchell Boggs got the start and took his first Triple-A loss going 4 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits while walking 3. Nick Additon struggled as well, going 4 and 1/3 innings and allowing 7 hits, 4 runs, 6 walks, and striking out 5. Marc Rzepczynski pitched the last 2/3 of the ninth and struck out 1.
Player of the Game: Rob Johnson
Springfield (29-30) 0, Tulsa 3
The Springfield Cardinals offense struggled for only 3 hits on Saturday night and 2 of them came from the pitcher, Tim Cooney. The only hit by a Springfield regular was an Xavier Scruggs double.
Cooney allowed 3 run on 10 hits over 6 innings to take his third Double-A loss. Heath Wyatt pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief.
Player of the Game: Tim Cooney
Palm Beach (25-36) 6, Charlotte 2
The Palm Beach Cardinals have started to play much better lately and that continued on Saturday night. Alex Mejia and David Popkins each had 3 hits while Popkins had a double and 2 RBI’s. Colin Walsh went 2-for-5 with 2 doubles and a run scored. Anthony Garcia, who has been on a hot streak, went 0-for-3 with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Corey Baker was solid for 6 innings. Baker allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and struck out 1. Jacob Booden picked up his first win with a scoreless inning. Danny Miranda pitched 2 scoreless innings while striking out 3 to pick up his first save. Miranda has not allowed a run this season over 20 innings.
Player of the Game: David Popkins
Quad Cities 0, Peoria (32-27) 1
In a pitchers duel, the Chiefs won in the bottom of the ninth after the first two batters reached. Patrick Wisdom bunted them over and a passed ball on an intentional walk allowed Jacob Wilson to score. The Chiefs had doubles from Breyvic Valera, Jacob Wilson, and Patrick Wisdom; and singles from Ildemaro Vargas, Jordan Walton, and Jeremy Schaffer.
Joe Cuda was outstanding for the third straight start. Cuda went 7 innings and allowed 2 hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out 8. Sam Tuivailala allowed 3 base runners in 2/3 of an inning but did not allow a run. Joe Donofrio picked up the win with a scoreless 1 and 1/3 innings.
Player of the Game: Joe Cuda
