The Dominican Summer League Cardinals finally ended their two week long losing trend at 13 games. The Redbirds opened the week up winning their first three contest (last time came July 15-17), but losing their final three. The club is 18-42 with a .300 PCT and are 24.5 games out of first place. They are currently two games back of the ninth place club in the ten-team Boca Chica South Division.
Week In Review:
The Cardinals opened the week on the road against the Orioles, looking to end the two week down turn. The Orange Birds got things started with two runs in the fourth and pitched five scoreless inning to open. The Redbirds had some great pitching from their tandem set of Oneiver Diaz and Will Changarotty who combined for eight innings allowing eight hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out eleven. The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth on RBIs by Allen Cordoba, Jonathan Rivera, and Dennis Ortega. Juan Alvarez, who pitched very well, coughed up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth to send the contest into extras. Both teams exchanged scoreless frames for four frames but Henry Alvarado doubled in the two winning runs for the Cardinals. Junior Gonzalez pitched the final two frames to help the Redbirds end their losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Orioles in 14 innings.
The Cardinals hosted the Orioles in the second game of the series and look to do something they haven't done in several weeks, run a winning streak. Both teams were solid from the mound as only three runs were scored in total. The Orange Birds took an early lead scoring one run in the first inning. David Oca was able to get past the run and strike out the team's season-high of eleven by a single pitcher in a game. Enrique Perez and Jose Lara followed with three scoreless frames. Lara was able to earn his first save in over a month. The Redbirds scored two in the seventh and went on to win 2-1 over the Orioles.
The Reds Two visited the Cardinals for their third game this period. The Redbirds came out swinging, plating ten runs in the first three frames lead by Jonathan Rivera and Dennis Ortega. Both River and Ortega each collects three hits and two RBIs a piece. Dionenrys Pena also contributed with a RBI triple. Franyel Casadilla made the strong spot start with four innings of one-run ball. Angel Estevez followed with the same results. Kerrion Bennett was able to finish off the game as the Cardinals extended their winning streak to three games with a 10-2 win. This was the second time this season the Redbirds have outscored their opponent by seven runs, with the last time coming on July 15th against this same Reds club.
The Reds Two hosted the Cardinals in the second contest of the two-game set. Both teams exchanged scoreless frames for the first three innings, then the Reds went on the attack. The Reds scored seven runs over the middle three innings, knocking out the Redbirds starting pitcher early and taking advantage of miscues by the club. Hector Linares collects two singles and drove in the only Cardinal run of the game. The Reds ended the Redbirds winning streak with a 7-1 victory.
The Cardinals stayed out on the road to face the Red Sox. Junior Fernandez had one of his best starts of the season going six innings and allowing two runs. Unfortunately the Redbirds offense took a day off, connecting for five hits and two runs. The Red Sox jumped out in front 2-1 in the fifth and the Cardinals tied things up in the seventh. The Red Sox broke through on one of the Cardinals' top relievers, Andy De La Cruz, for two runs and went on to win 4-2.
In the finale of this notebook, the Red Sox visited the Cardinals. Derian Gonzalez returned to his norm, pitching six solid innings, allowing only one run and striking out six. The Redbirds' struggles at the plate continued with only two hits and they struck out 13 times. Jonathan Rivera collects both hits and drove in one of the Cardinals' two runs. Juan Alvarez pitched two scoreless innings of relief to follow Gonzalez as the team tied the game up in the seventh. The Red Sox took advantage of a couple errors in the eighth to tack on two more runs and went on to win 3-2.
Who's Hot:
Dennis Ortega had his on base streak snapped at seven games (hitting at six) in the last game of this period. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-23 (.348) with two doubles, three RBIs, one run, one walk, two hit by pitches, six strikeouts, and one caught stealing. He played four games at catcher and two as designated hitter. The August 21, 2013 free agent signing threw out two of four base runners, had three passed balls, and committed one fielding error.
Jonathan Rivera picked up two multi-hit games in the five he played. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 6-for-20 (.300) with four RBIs, one run, one walk, one hit by pitch, one sac fly, one stolen base, and six strikeouts. He played five games in right field, committing one fielding error and one outfield assist. The November 5, 2013 free agent signing leads the team in hits, doubles, RBIs, total bases, and is tied in strikeouts.
Derian Gonzalez bounced back from being roughed up in his two starts following his All-Star appearance. The 19-year old right-hander started on August 9th, allowing three hits, one earned run, one walk, threw one wild pitch, and struck six out over five innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-3. The September 12, 2012 free agent signing is tied for the team lead in innings pitched.
David Oca had made four quality starts in his last five appearances. The 19-year old left-hander started on August 5th, pitching six innings and allowing three hits, one unearned run, three walks, threw two wild pitches, and striking out a season-high eleven. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 6-to-2. The December 10, 2012 free agent signing leads the team in strikeouts and WHIP, and the has the best ERA among all the starting rotation.
Will Changarotty has bounced up and down all season long and pitched his best outing of the season. The 18-year old right-hander was called on for the back half of the tandem start on August 4th as he allowed two hits, no runs, one walk, struck out as season-high seven, and assisted in one double play. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-0. As a reliever, the July 24, 2012 free agent signing has struck out 14and walked eight over 12.2 innings.
Who's Not:
Carlos Talavera hasn't connected for a hit in his last two games and has only collected a hit in two of his last six games. The 17-year old switch-hitter went 1-for-15 (.067) with one RBI, one run, two walks, and eight strikeouts. He played four games in centerfield. The July 2, 2013 free agent signing leads the team in triples, walks, and is tied for strikeouts.
Carlos Rodriguez has reached base safely in five consecutive games but hasn't had a hit in three straight. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 1-for-8 (.125) with two runs, six walks, two strikeouts, and was picked off. He played one game at first base, two in left field, and one in right. The November 5, 2013 free agent signing has only had a hit in three of his last ten games played going 4-for-28 (.143) with eight walks and 13 strikeouts.
Joaquin De La Cruz season long struggles continue as he has struck almost twice a game in his last four played. The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 3-for-25 (.120) with one RBI, one walk, ten strikeouts, and grounded into one double play. he played one game at third base, one as designated hitter, four at first base (assisted in four double plays and committed one fielding error). The June 5, 2013 free agent signing has the worst batting average among everyday players on the roster.
Sandy Alcantara is still slumping since coming back from a DL stint over a month ago. The The 18-year old right-hander started on August 7th, giving up two hits, two earned runs, one home run, five walks, threw one wild pitch, and struck out three over three and two-thirds innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-2 and took the losing decision (1-7). Since his injury, the July 2, 2013 free agent signing has hurled 17.2 innings allowing 16 hits, ten runs (nine earned), one home run, nine walks, and struck out 17.
Andy De La Cruz had a slight hiccup after pitching almost perfectly coming out of the bullpen. The 20-year old left-hander was called on for relief, on August 8th, and he pitched two innings giving up two hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out three for the losing decision (1-1). He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 2-to-0.
Notes:
Ignacio Chevalier has been out of action since August 2nd and Henry Alvarado since August 4th.
Dominican Summer League Stats (League Ranking - 36 Teams):
The team has gone 443-for-2051 (.216 - t-33rd overall) with 68 doubles (4th worst), 14 triples (t-2nd worst), 19 home runs (8th best), 161 RBIs (2nd worst), 596 total bases (9th worst), 220 runs (4th worst), 181 walks (2nd worst), 69 stolen bases, 615 strikeouts (worst), 39 caught stealing, .288 OBP (36th overall), .291 SLG (30th overall), and .579 OPS (36th overall).
The club has gone 18-42 with a 3.64 ERA (20th overall), 1.40 WHIP (20th overall), one shut out, eight holds (t-8th worst), and eleven saves (10th worst). The have allowed 547 hits (t-5th worst), 303 runs, 218 earned runs, 14 home runs, 209 walks, hit 41 batters (t-6th best), and struck out 436 over 538.1 innings.
Luis Bandes is tied for fifth in home runs.
Jonathan Rivera and Carlos Talavera are tied, with others, for sixth in strikeouts.
Sandy Alcantara is tied for second in losses.
Jose Lara is tied for tenth in saves.
Junior Gonzalez is tenth in hits allowed.
David Oca is ninth in strikeouts.
Up Next (2014 Record)(Cardinals Team Vs. Opponent):
August 11: Giants (39-20)(0-6)
August 12: @ Giants
August 13: @ Rockies (29-31)(1-5)
August 14: Rockies
August 15: Yankees One (35-24)(3-3)
August 16: @ Yankees One
August 17: Off Day
Past 2014 Notebooks:
June 9, 2014 - Will Changarotty, Franyel Casadilla, Allen Cordoba, Hector Linares, and Jonathan Rivera.
June 16, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Luis Bandes, Allen Cordoba, Dylan Melendez, and Carlos Talavera.
June 23, 2014 - Luis Bandes, Luis Flores, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, and Carlos Rodriguez.
June 30, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Andy De La Cruz, Derian Gonzalez, Junior Gonzalez, and Jonathan Rivera.
July 7, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Allen Cordoba, Joaquin De La Cruz, Luis Flores, and Junior Gonzalez.
July 14, 2014 - Luis Bandes, Franyel Casadilla, Derian Gonzalez, Carlos Rodriguez, and Esteban Vallejo.
July 21, 2014 - Henry Alvarado, Andy De La Cruz, Oneiver Diaz, Angel Estevez, and David Oca.
July 28, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Allen Cordoba, Angel Estevez, Junior Fernandez, and Jonathan Rivera.
August 4, 2014 - Allen Cordoba, Andy De La Cruz, Angel Estevez, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, and Wadye Ynfante.
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