Hey everybody! I’m the new guy, Jim Grundy, and I’m excited to get started giving you all you need to know about our future Cardinals in these nightly Prospect Preacher reports.
As for myself, I’m a lot like these kids trying to get to the show: I’m fresh out of college (Go Mizzou!) and looking for my shot as a big-time radio/play-by-play guy. I’m originally from Troy, Illinois and I’ve played baseball and soccer all my life. Four years of college and four internships later, here I am ready to cover my favorite team, and the teams that will eventually make up that team. So thanks for joining me as we venture through the farm system. Stick with me and when your water-cooler buddies are wondering who these new guys are, you can wow them with your knowledge you learned here. They don’t call us “The Best Fans in Baseball” for nothing.
Call-Up update: Jermaine Curtis was called up to the big club today. He pinch-hit for Waino in the seventh and got hit by pitch. Way to go!
(AAA) Memphis Redbirds: Win 8-6 over Colorado Springs (Game 1 of doubleheader)
Carlos Martinez’s first AAA start since his MLB debut started off well. The Redbirds gave him a healthy 5-run lead in the top of the first. Little Pedro threw two scoreless before having a Lance Lynn moment and giving up four runs in the bottom of the third to the Sky Sox. The offense took over once again and scored a run in three of the next four innings and Martinez settled down to keep the Sky Sox scoreless until a Xavier Nady HR in the sixth. He gave up 5 ER and 5H in 6.0 innings. Salas came in and gave up one run while getting the save as the game went only seven innings. Greg Garcia led the offense with three RBI on two hits, including a home run, in 3 ABs. Kolten Wong added a couple hits and a run, and even Carlos Martinez helped himself out at the dish with a hit and two runs scored. If you want to know how the second game pans out, check MemphisRedbirds.com. It’s getting late. I have work in the morning.
(AA) Springfield Cardinals: Win 9-7 over Frisco
Things got off to a rough as the Rough Riders scored seven runs off of Springfield starter Seth Blair. The Cardinals chipped away with two runs in the second and two runs in the third. Springfield scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game at seven. Reliever Zach Russell came in and pitched three stellar innings, only allowing one hit. Kevin Thomas followed with two no-hit innings to secure the win. Stephen Piscotty and Cody Stanley each knotted a couple of hits and Starlin Rodriguez drove in three RBI. Then Adam Melker’s became tonight’s hero, driving in the winning RBIs in the top of the 8th.
(A) State College Spikes: Day Off (NY-Penn League ASG)
Tonight was the NY-Penn League All-Star Game (wow that’s a mouthful) and a record five Spikes were selected. First baseman David Washington and outfielders Steven Ramos and Ronald Castillo were chosen to start. Shortstop Cesar Valera and outfielder Jimmy Bosco were selected as reserves for the NL team. Bosco and Ramos were the only players on the National League side with multiple hits, each hitting safely twice. The AL scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to seal the 4-3 win over the NL.
(A) Peoria Chiefs: Day Off
(A) GCL Cardinals: Loss 2-1 to GCL Nationals
The GCL Nationals have a .870 winning percentage and have demolished the rookie league all season. Just to show you their dominance, the GCL Cardinals are second in the division with a 19-27 record. Not much scoring in this battle as Ian McKinney gave up only two hits and one run in five innings of work. Luis Cruz knocked a pinch-hit home run to plate the lone Cardinal run. Kender Villegas gave up a run in the ninth to take the loss.
So that’s what happened tonight. All teams should be back in action tomorrow. Hopefully you like these posts going forward. If you do, tell me on twitter at @JimTheVoice, or tell @CardsConclave.
PREACH ON, my friends and have a great night.
