The Dominican Summer League Cardinals ended a two-game losing streak to kick the week off, but lost four straight before winning another. The club is 10-15 with a .400 PCT and ten games out in a two-way tie for fourth place in the Boca Chica North Division. They are 6-7 defending home and 4-8 on the road.
Week In Review:
The Cardinals started the week off in a slugfest with the Nationals at home. Junior Gonzalez started for the Redbirds and put up two scoreless innings and was attacked in the third inning. The Nats put five on the board and take a 5-1 lead in the contest. The Cardinals took off from the fifth inning on scoring a total of 16 runs compared to the Nationals addition five. Elehuris Montero, Carlos Rodriguez, Irving Wilson, and Brian Sanchez lead the offense with each driving in three or more runs to help Cardinals end their losing streak at two games with a 17-10 victory.
The Cardinals headed out on the road to take on the Rangers One for a two-game set. The offenses for both teams opened up the game with the Rangers taking an early lead after two frames, 6-2. Dennis Ortega knocked in two runs as the Redbirds got within reach at 6-4. The bullpens came in and calmed the game with Diego Cordero and Estarlin Tejada combining for one run over the final four innings. The Rangers staff held the Cardinals in check to win 7-4.
The Cardinals hosted the Rangers One in the second game of the series. The Redbirds jumped out in front in the first inning 5-1 with the help of a Brian Sanchez grand slam. The Cardinals' pitching staff then fell apart giving up 12 more runs. The Redbirds scored a pair and fell short 13-7.
The Mariners Two came to town for the beginning of a two-game series with the Cardinals. Both exchanged runs in the first couple innings. Ronald Medrano coasted through until the fifth inning ,when he exited, giving up three more runs. Brian Sanchez tied the game up at four with a three-run shot in the sixth but the bullpen couldn't hold steady as the M's doubled up the Cardinals 8-4.
The Cardinals, looking to end the losing streak, visited the Mariners Two for the second game of the set. The M's took an early lead 4-0 after two. The Redbirds couldn't get a run across until the seventh inning when they scored on an error and double play. The Mariners answered back with three more in the bottom half and sent the Cardinals to their fourth consecutive loss with a 7-2 score.
In the finale for this period, the Cardinals hosted the Angels. Enrique Perez made the move from the bullpen to start and Junior Gonzalez followed after two innings. The Halos were kept off the scoreboard until the sixth inning as the Redbirds went up 3-0. The Angels put two more on in the following frames but the Cardinals came through with five runs in the eighth. Carlos Rodriguez and Andres Luna lead the way with two RBIs each as the Redbirds ended their losing streak with a 8-3 victory over the Angels.
Who's Hot:
Carlos Rodriguez has collected eight multi-hit and four multi-RBI games in the last eleven played and ended on a three-game hit streak. The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-14 (.571) with one double, six RBIs (five w/two-outs), four runs, one walk, and one strikeout. He played three games as designated hitter. The November 5, 20013 free agent signing is toed for the team lead in hits.
Elehuris Montero has his on base streak snapped at 18 games, but reached in his finale appearance of this period. The 16-year old right-handed hitter went 5-for-19 (.263) with one double, one home run, five RBIs (three w/two-outs), six runs, two walks, one hit by pitch, one sac fly, five strikeouts, and grounded into one double play. He played five games at third base, assisting in two double plays and committing one throwing error. The September 5, 2014 free agent signing leads the team in runs scored and tied for lead in hits.
Brian Sanchez extended his hitting streak to ten games and has scored a run in each of the last six played. The 19-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-24 (.333) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 11 RBIs (one w.two-outs), seven runs, two walks, one hit by pitch, one stolen base, four strikeouts, and grounded into one double play. He played four games in right field and two in left (one throwing error and one outfield assist). The 2015 free agent signing leads the team in doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, SLG, and OPS.
Edwin Figuera began a hitting streak last week that extended to six games this period. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 7-for-22 (.318) with one double, two RBIs, seven runs, three hit by pitches, five stolen bases, one caught stealing, and two strikeouts. He played one game in center field, two in left (one fielding error), two at shortstop, and split one game at shortstop and in left field. The 2015 free agent signing leads the team in stolen bases and caught stealing.
Frendy Gavin extended his streak of appearances without an earned run to five at 4.1 innings. The 20-year old left-handed was called on for June 22nd and tossed two scoreless innings allowing one hit, one walk, and hit one batter for the hold (1). He then pitched on June 27th, walking one batter without giving up an hit or run. The November 30, 2012 free agent signing had a combined ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-1.
Who's Not:
Luis Flores managed only two hits in his last four games while striking out at least once in each. The 18-year old switch-hitter went 2-for-16 (.125) with three runs, one walk, one hit by pitch, six strikeouts, and grounded into one double play. He played four games at second base, assisting in three double plays and committing one throwing error.
Sanel Rosendo continues to struggle with the professional career, ending this week on a four-game hitless streak. The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 1-for-14 (.071) with two runs, two walks, six strikeouts, and grounded into one double play. He played two games in right field (committed two throwing errors) and two in left. The February 11, 2015 free agent signing leads the team in strikeouts and is second in walks.
Juan Alvarez was jumped on making his second consecutive start of the season, but did strike out a season-high. The 18-year old right-handed made his start on June 26th allowing six hits, four earned runs, one walk, hit one batter, threw one wild pitch, and struck seven out over five innings for the losing decision (1-2). He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-1.
Franyel Casadilla struggles after making two strong starts for the Cardinals. The 18-year old right-hander started on June 23rd allowing eleven hits, six runs (five earned), committed one pickoff error, and struck two out over four innings for the losing decision (0-2). He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-5. The November 5, 2013 free agent signing is one of two starting pitchers, on the staff, that has given up more hits than innings pitched this season.
Edwar Ramirez might have dropped his season ERA, but not in a pretty way. The 17-year old right-handed pitched in relief on June 24th giving up three hits, four runs (two earned), two walks, threw two wild pitches, and struck one out for the losing decision (0-1). He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 3-to-2.
Notes:
Andy De La Cruz signed with Baltimore and was assigned to Orioles One.
David Oca and Estarlin Arias were returned back to the states after spending all spring there. Both received promotions on June 22nd to short-season rookie-level GCL.
Wadye Ynfante has been out of action since June 18th and Dylan Melendez missed six days, returning on June 26th.
Cardinals' director of operations Moises Rodriguez discusses some of the obstacles of the upcoming international signing period, which begins July 2nd, with Rob Rains. Some of the key points are the limited bonus pool due to final standing last season and whether the organizations pursues a Cuban defector over Dominican, Venezuelan, or other. STL Sports Page
Dominican Summer League Stats:
The team is batting .240 (24th)(208-for-866) with 44 doubles (5th), ten triples, nine home runs (t-10th), 119 RBIs (t-8th), 299 total bases, 128 runs, 85 walks, 15 stolen bases (2nd worst), 195 strikeouts, nine caught stealing (tied-best), .319 OBP (29th), .345 SLG (18th), and .664 OPS (20th).
The club has a 10-15 record with 3.89 ERA (t-20th), 1.43 WHIP (22nd), two holds, one complete game, and three saves. They have allowed 221 hits (9th worst), 129 runs, 96 earned runs, five home runs (t-10th best), 96 walks, hit 28 batters (t-7th worst), and struck 178 out over 222.1 innings.
Brian Sanchez is tied for fifth in home runs, first in RBIs, and tied for ninth in total bases.
Elehuris Montero is tied for tenth in home runs.
David Oca is seventh in ERA.
Oniever Diaz is tied for seventh in losses.
Enrique Perez is tied for seventh in walks.
Up Next (2015 Record)(Cardinals Record Vs.):
June 29: @ Angels (13-12)(2-3)
June 30: Astros Orange (5-19)(3-1)
July 1: @ Astros Orange
July 2: @ Nationals (10-15)(2-2)
July 3: Nationals
July 4: Rangers One (20-5)(2-4)
July 5: Off Day
Past Notebooks:
June 8, 2015: Will Changarotty, Ronald Medrano, David Oca, Elehuris Montero, and Wadye Ynfante
June 15, 2015: Juan Alvarez, Franyel Casadilla, Elehuris Montero, David Oca, and Brian Sanchez
June 22, 2015: Estarlin Arias, Will Changarotty, Carlos Rodriguez, Brian Sanchez, and Wadye Ynfante
