Around the Cardinal Farm 7/24

Here’s a quick little recap of what went on in the Cardinals Farm System last night

Memphis Redbirds (AAA)-  Michael Wacha was solid and the Redbirds scored the game winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 8th to beat the Round Rock Express 3-2 last night at Auto Zone Park in Memphis. In his first start in 15 days, Wacha threw six dominant innings last night giving up just one run on two hits striking out 8. He threw only 87 pitches, 57 of them were for strikes. Also in the game Victor Marte worked a perfect inning while Kieth Butler worked two innings blowing the save in the 8th but coming up as the winning pitcher in the 9th. The Redbirds finish up their 4 game set with Round Rock tonight at Auto Zone Park. The Redbirds will send left hander Tyler Lyons to the mound to face Round Rock’s  right hander Jake Brigham

Springfield Cardinals (AA)-  The Cards double A affilate fell short last night losing to the Tulsa Drillers 3-0 at Hammons Field. The Cardinals were able to scratch only 4 hits off Tulsa those hits coming from Mike O’Neill, Chris Swauger, Colin Walsh, and Cody Stanley. Cards starter Jonathan Cornelius took the loss after going 6 2/3 while 3 ER on 8 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. Jose Almarante faced one batter in the game striking him out. Danny Miranda took care of the final two innings for the Cards allowing just one hit while striking out 3. Tonight the Cards start a 4 game set with NW Arkansas Naturals at Hammons Field. Right hander Seth Blair will take the field for the Cards and he’ll face Kyle Zimmer of the Naturals.

Palm Beach Cardinals (Advanced A)-  The Palm Beach Cards got a 4-2 win over the Tampa Yankees Wednesday Night. The Cards scored all 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, finishing it off with a 2 out bases clearing double from Cardinals Shortstop Alex Mejia. Cards lefty Hector Hernandez went 7 innings giving up 2 ER on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 to earn his third win of the season. Dean Kiekhefer took the final two innings allowing no runs on just 1 hit while striking out 1. The Cardinals return to Palm Beach Thursday Night and begin a series with the Daytona Cubs. The Cards have not yet decided who their starter will be.

Peoria Chiefs (A)- The Chiefs had 3 leads Wednesday night against the Cedar Rapids Kernels but blew all 3 of them. Finally though in the 10th inning the Chiefs got it down taking the lead in the top half of the inning on a RBI base hit off the bat of Jeremy Schaffer then finishing it off in the bottom half to earn the win. It was a good night for Chiefs 2nd basemen Jacob Wilson who went 3-5 at the plate with 2 doubles and 2 RBI’s. Pitching wise starter Kyle Helisek lasted just 2 innings after giving up 4 runs on 3 hits walking 5 and striking out 3. Joe Donofrio then went 3 innings and gave up just 1 run on 1 hit with a walk and 3 strikeouts. After him came Samuel Tuivailala who threw one inning. Thomas Lee was next and he threw three shutout innings giving up just 3 hits while striking out 2 to earn the victory. Zach Russel finished off and earned the save throwing 1 inning and giving up no hits, a walk, and a strikeout. The Chiefs continue their series at Cedar Rapids tonight with southpaw Ben O’Shea taking the hill for Peoria. He’ll face off against Cedar Rapids left hander Josue Montanez.