Much like last weekend, many of the same names are making an appearance. My favorite thing this time of year is seeing the light come on and watching the progress made the rest of the season for the ‘chosen’ ones. Every player (except me) finds the switch or they wouldn’t be a Cardinal. I’m trying to remember that every time a certain #12 jersey flails away in St. Louis, but that is a post for someone else to write.
At the same time, there comes a certain juncture where change of scenery becomes the mantra. Victor Marte has gone past that point at least four times by my count, and the only reason he is still on the AAA roster has to be that St. Louis is biding time for another move. Marte gave up runs in both appearances over the weekend, bringing the consecutive count to six as the Redbirds fell two games behind Iowa. Memphis travels to Des Moines today in hopes of keeping alive slim Division title hopes with Tyler Lyons on the hill.
Friday, June 28th
White smoke — Mike O’Neill, Springfield, 3-6, 2 RBI’s (both with 2-outs), 1 SB’s, 1 2B
Gray smoke — Deryk Hooker, Springfield, 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, L
Black smoke — Marte, Memphis, 2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, L
Saturday, June 29th
White smoke — Hector Hernandez, Peoria, 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 6 SO
Gray smoke — Jeff Rauh, State College, 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 SO, L
Black smoke — Oscar Mercado, GCL Cardinals, 0-5, 2 SO, 2 LOB
C-Mart smoke — Carlos Martinez, Memphis, 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 1 HBP, 5 SO (SS POM)
Sunday, June 30th
White smoke — David Popkins, Palm Beach, 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, BB, RBI, hit .413 in June (SS BOM)
Gray smoke — Robert Stock, Peoria, 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, L
Black smoke — Jamie Romak, Memphis, 0-5, K, 6 LOB, FO to end game with tying runs on base
All in all not the best weekend for hurlers who attempted to close out games. The first Sowing Seeds pitcher-of-the-month (POM) and batter-of-the-month (BOM) were awarded with both Martinez and Popkins currently blocked from getting promotions. That may not be the case once the smoke clears from trade deadline season, so stay tuned for the fireworks.
