Jonathan Rivera
The Cardinals opened the week off by winning their first two games, lost the three mid-week games, and ended thew week off with a victory. The Redbirds are 9-10 on the season with a .474 PCT and five games out in the Dominican Summer League Boca Chica South Division.
In the fist game of the week, the Cardinals hosted the Mets to finish off their two-game series. The Redbirds opened up the scoring with two in the bottom of the first. Junior Gonzalez pitched well until he hit the later innings when the Mets tagged him with three runs, on top of the one scored already, in the fifth and six innings. Luis Bandes hit a solo home run in the seventh to tie the game at four apiece. Angel Estevez and Andy De La Cruz closed out the game pitching three scoreless frames and Andres Luna scored the winning run on a fielder's choice play. The Cardinals pulled out the win 5-4.
The Cardinals looked to continue the winning streak with the Nationals visiting. Luis Flores got things going, in the second, with a two-run home run and the Redbirds scored another two runs over the next two innings to put them up 4-0. Cardinals' reliever David Oca got the start and dominated with five scoreless frames. The Redbirds bullpen couldn't hold the Nats off the board as they plated three runs in the later innings. The Cardinals held on to win 5-3.
Looking for a third consecutive win, the Cardinals went on the road for the second game of the series against the Nationals. This time, the Nats attacked first, knocking out the Redbirds starter after three innings. The Nationals added another run in the fourth to make the score 4-0. The Cardinals took advantage of an error and scored their only two runs of the contest in the eighth but the Nationals tacked on another in the bottom half for the 5-2 victory.
The Cardinals stayed out on the road and visited the Mariners for the first of a two-game series. The Redbirds capitalized on M's errors and misplays to take a 3-2 lead after two innings. The Cardinals plated two more runs, one in the sixth and a solo home run by Luis Bandes in the seventh, to take a 5-2 lead. However, the Redbirds bullpen slipped up, allowing four runs in the final two frames as the Mariners pulled out the win 6-5.
The Mariners visited the Cardinals in the second game, looking for the sweep of the set. Cardinals pitching and multiple errors handed the contest over to the M's as they went up 6-1 after four innings. No runs were scored by either club after the fourth. Derian Gonzalez, usually a starter but coming out of the pen, tossed four scoreless innings of relief and Kerrion Bennett made his debut pitching one scoreless inning to close out the game. Mariners won 6-1 sending the Cardinals to three straight losses.
For the finale of this report, the Cardinals went out on the road to face the Orioles second ball club. Junior Gonzalez had another decent start even though Orange Birds plated three runs on him in his five innings of work. The Redbirds broke out the bats in the sixth, as the team almost batted around in the order and scored four runs to take the lead. Juan Alvarez and Franyel Casadilla combined for the final four innings and did not allow a run. The Cardinals topped of the game with three more runs to win 9-3.
Who's Hot:
Jonathan Rivera collects three multi-hit games and will look to extend his two-game hitting streak into the next week. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-22 (.364) with one double, three RBIs, one run, one stolen base, six strikeouts, one caught stealing, and grounded into one double play. He played three games in right field, one in left, and one as designated hitter. River leads the team in hits and is tied for the lead in RBIs.
Luis Flores ended the week with a two-game hitting streak and picked up three multi-hit games. The 17-year old switch-hitter went 8-for-18 (.444) with one triple, one home run, two RBIs, four runs, three walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases, one sacrifice, and four strikeouts. He played four games at second base (assisted in two double plays and committed one fielding error) and one as designated hitter.
Luis Bandes had his hitting streak snapped at eight games and collected three multi-hit contests. The 18-year old right-handed hitter wnet 9-for-24 (.375) with one double, two home runs, five RBIs, four runs, two walks, one sac fly, one stolen base, and one strikeout. He played three games in right field (one outfield assist) and two in left (one outfield assist). The second-year DSL participant leads the team in doubles, home runs, total bases, SLG, OPS, and is tied RBI.
Carlos Rodriguez will look to extend his six-game on base and four-game walk streaks into the next period. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 4-for-16 (.250) with one double, four RBIs, three runs, four walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases, three strikeouts, and three caught stealing (two pickoffs). He nudged Joaquin De La Cruz, who was hitting poorly, out of playing time and made five starts at first base (assisting in three double plays).
David Oca was given an opportunity to make a start for the club, after a couple poor performances in the bullpen, and flourished. The 17-year old left-handed made his 2014 debut start on June 17th, pitching five innings, allowing two hits, no runs, struck five out, and picked one runner off for the winning decision (1-0). He had a groun dout-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-3. The second-year DSL participant made six starts out of his eleven appearances last season.
Who's Not:
Carlos Talavera took a down turn after two solid weeks to start the season and had his on base streak snapped at six. The 18-year old switch-hitter went 4-for-24 (.167) with two RBIs, one run, two walks, one hit by pitch, one stolen base, six strikeouts, and one strikeout. He played five games in centerfield and one as designated hitter. On the bright side, Talavera does lead the team in runs scored, triples, walks, stolen bases, and has not struck out on six consecutive games.
Hector Linares little slow to get going after missing several games in the previous period. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 4-for-23 (.174) with one RBI, three runs, two walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases, and six strikeouts. He played five games at shortstop, committing three errors (two throwing and one fielding). Linares does have a three-game on base streak to add onto in the next week.
Carlos Luis continues his rookie-season struggles as he has not hit safely in four consecutive games and struck out in seven straight games, at least once and two or more in last three. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-8 (.000) with six strikeouts. He played two games as designated hitter.
Oneiver Diaz had two successful relief outings earning him a start, but he did not fair well. The 17-year old right-handed made his start on June 20th, allowing nine hits, six runs (four earned), one walk, hit one batter, and struck two out over four innings. he had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-4 and picked up the losing decision (1-1).
Esteban Vallejo is still struggling to get on track like his first two professional seasons. The 20-year old right-hander made his only relief appearance of the week on June 19th, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks over three innings. he had a dround out-tofly out ratio of 3-to-2. Vallejo has allowed one or more runs in all four of his appearances including five on June 9th.
Notes:
Carlos Talavera received some positive national attention in Friday's Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet. He was listed under the 'Helium Watch' section found at the bottom of the article: Baseball America
Frendy Gavin had inguinal hernia surgery and hopes to return in a month.
Dariel Gomez had hamate bone surgery a couple weeks ago and may miss a majority of the season.
Estarlin Arias had Tommy John surgery and is in the process on rehabbing.
Allen Cordoba, who hasn't played since June 14th, has been dealing with a neck injury and hopes to return this week.
Irving Wilson has been out of action since June 11th. Dylan Melendez only played one game (June 17th) in the last week and same goes for Henry Alvardo, who only played on June 18th.
Andy De La Cruz has made four relief appearances pitching six and two-third scoreless innings.
Edubray Ramos, who pitched for the Venezuelan Summer League Cardinals in 2010, signed with the Phillies organization and finally received a promotion to the Gulf Coast League. Ramos did not play affiliated ball between 2011-12 and spent a year and a half back in the VSL.
Dominican League Stats (League Ranking):
The team has gone 163-for-638 (.255 - 13th) with 30 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs (t-1st), 67 RBIs, 242 total bases 11th), 85 runs, 68 walks, 28 stolen bases, 176 strikeouts (t-2nd), 12 caught stealing, .337 OBP (t-21st), .379 SLG (8th), and .717 OPS (13th).
The club has a 9-10 record with 3.62 ERA (15th), 1.45 WHIP (23rd), four holds, and six saves (t-8th). They have allowed 181 hits (7th worst), 89 runs, 66 earned runs, two home runs (t-9th best), hit five batters (t-1st best), walked 56 (2nd best), and struck out 120 (t-1st worst) over 164 innings.
Luis Bandes leads the league in home runs, tied for fourth in total bases, and seventh in SLG.
Jose Lara is tied for seventh in saves.
Junior Gonzales leads the league in hits allowed.
Up Next (2014 Record)(Cardinals Record Vs. Team)
June 23: Orioles Two (8-11)(2-1)
June 24: @ Reds Two (4-15)(2-0)
June 25: Reds Two (4-15)(2-0)
June 26: @ Red Sox (12-7)(0-2)
June 27: Red Sox (12-7)(0-2)
June 28: Giants (11-8)(0-2)
June 29: Off Day
Past 2014 Notebooks:
June 9, 2014 - Allen Cordoba, Hector Linares, Jonathan Rivera, Will Changarotty, and Franyel Casadilla
June 16, 2014 - Dylan Melendez, Carlos Talavera, Allen Cordoba, Luis Bandes, and Sandy Alcantera
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