Madris, Molina Lead Memphis; Springfield’s Streak Ends
THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Farm Report: Madris, Molina Lead Memphis; Springfield’s Streak Ends
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur
The Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report is your daily look at the Cardinals’ minor league system — from box scores and standings to standout performances, prospect notes and the daily Top 30 Prospect Watch.
The report remains focused on the two Cardinals affiliates still playing.
The regular season is over for the Peoria Chiefs and Palm Beach Cardinals, leaving Memphis and Springfield as the two active clubs.
Saturday was a split night.
Memphis beat Norfolk, 8-1, behind a strong start from Mason Molina and a big night from Bligh Madris. Springfield’s eight-game winning streak ended with an 11-5 loss to Arkansas.
The two active affiliates finished 1-1.
Bligh Madris earned Hitter of the Day honors after going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks for Memphis. Mason Molina, the MLB Pipeline No. 18 prospect, earned Pitcher of the Day honors after working 5.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Memphis Redbirds — Triple-A
Overall Record: 78-65
Second Half: 31-37, 8th in the International League West, 8.0 GB
Streak: W1
Status: Playoff-bound
Memphis 8, Norfolk 1
Memphis got back in the win column.
The Redbirds beat Norfolk, 8-1, scoring once in the first, three times in the fourth, twice in the fifth, once in the seventh and once more in the eighth. Memphis finished with eight runs on 13 hits, while the pitching staff held Norfolk to one run on three hits.
Bligh Madris had the biggest offensive line of the night, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two walks.
His final line: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Andy Yerzy also homered and drove in three. César Prieto went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Brody Moore added two hits, a double, an RBI and a run scored. Chase Davis doubled, drove in a run, walked, scored and stole a base.
On the mound, this was Mason Molina’s night.
Molina worked 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out eight.
His final line: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Hancel Rincon followed with 2.1 innings, allowing one run while striking out five. Austin Love finished it with a scoreless ninth. Memphis pitching combined for 14 strikeouts.
Takeaway: Memphis snapped its three-game losing streak with a complete win — 13 hits from the lineup and 14 strikeouts from the pitching staff.
Springfield Cardinals — Double-A
Overall Record: 78-58
Second Half: 47-21, 1st in the Texas League North, 5.0 games ahead
Streak: L1
Status: Playoff-bound
Arkansas 11, Springfield 5
Springfield’s winning streak came to an end.
The Cardinals fell to Arkansas, 11-5, as the Travelers scored five runs in the second, three in the third and three more in the ninth. Springfield finished with five runs on 11 hits, but four errors helped make the night harder to climb out of.
There were still several offensive bright spots.
Rainiel Rodriguez, the MLB Pipeline No. 1 prospect, went 2-for-5 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Jesús Báez, the MLB Pipeline No. 21 prospect, went 2-for-4. Cade McGee went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Deniel Ortiz, the MLB Pipeline No. 27 prospect, went 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Tre Richardson III and Ian Petrutz also drove in runs.
On the mound, Springfield had to cover innings after an early deficit. Braden Davis allowed five runs over 1.2 innings, while José Davila allowed three runs over 1.2 innings. Domenic Picone, Christian Worley and Nolan Sparks combined for 4.2 scoreless innings in relief before Arkansas added three more in the ninth.
Takeaway: Springfield’s eight-game winning streak is over, but the Cardinals still sit in first place in the Texas League North and remain the system’s hottest postseason club.
Peoria Chiefs — High-A
Season Complete
Palm Beach Cardinals — Low-A
Season Complete
Top 30 Prospect Watch
Rainiel Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline No. 1, went 2-for-5 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored for Springfield. His season line is listed at .324 with a .987 OPS, 27 home runs and 87 RBIs.
Liam Doyle, MLB Pipeline No. 2, did not pitch Saturday. His season line is listed at 3.76 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 130 strikeouts over 103.0 innings.
Tanner Franklin, MLB Pipeline No. 5, did not pitch Saturday. His season line is listed at 3.94 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 133 strikeouts over 105.0 innings.
Brandon Clarke, MLB Pipeline No. 7, did not pitch Saturday. His season line is listed at 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 44 strikeouts over 29.2 innings.
Jurrangelo Cijntje, MLB Pipeline No. 9, did not pitch Saturday. His season line is listed at 5.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 159 strikeouts over 127.2 innings.
Josiah Ragsdale, MLB Pipeline No. 10, went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Springfield. His season line is listed at .296 with a .958 OPS, 24 home runs and 65 RBIs.
Mason Molina, MLB Pipeline No. 18, worked 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out eight for Memphis. His season line is listed at 3.64 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 148 strikeouts over 118.2 innings.
Tai Peete, MLB Pipeline No. 19, went 0-for-5 for Springfield. His season line is listed at .296 with a .908 OPS, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Jesús Báez, MLB Pipeline No. 21, went 2-for-4 for Springfield. His season line is listed at .281 with a .908 OPS, 38 home runs and 108 RBIs.
Sandro Santana, MLB Pipeline No. 22, did not pitch Saturday. His season line is listed at 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 95 strikeouts over 60.1 innings.
Deniel Ortiz, MLB Pipeline No. 27, went 1-for-4 with two RBIs for Springfield. His season line is listed at .270 with an .847 OPS, 10 home runs and 43 RBIs.
Jack Gurevitch, MLB Pipeline No. 30, did not appear in the Springfield lineup. His season line is listed at .282 with an .896 OPS, 31 home runs and 94 RBIs.
Quick Hits: 10 Players, 10 Stats
1. Bligh Madris, Memphis: 2-for-3, home run, double, two RBIs, two runs, two walks.
2. Mason Molina, Memphis: 5.2 scoreless innings, one hit, three walks, eight strikeouts. MLB Pipeline No. 18
3. Rainiel Rodriguez, Springfield: 2-for-5, home run, RBI, two runs. MLB Pipeline No. 1
4. Andy Yerzy, Memphis: 1-for-3, home run, three RBIs, two runs, walk.
5. César Prieto, Memphis: 3-for-5, double, run scored.
6. Cade McGee, Springfield: 3-for-4, triple, run scored.
7. Hancel Rincon, Memphis: 2.1 innings, two hits, one run, no walks, five strikeouts.
8. Brody Moore, Memphis: 2-for-3, double, RBI, run scored.
9. Jesús Báez, Springfield: 2-for-4. MLB Pipeline No. 21
10. Chase Davis, Memphis: 1-for-4, double, RBI, run scored, walk, stolen base.
Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day
Bligh Madris, 1B, Memphis Redbirds
Madris powered the Memphis lineup in an 8-1 win over Norfolk.
His final line: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
A home run.
A double.
Two RBIs.
Two walks.
A Memphis win.
That is a Player of the Day performance.
Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day
Mason Molina, Memphis Redbirds
MLB Pipeline Ranking: No. 18
Molina gave Memphis the start it needed.
His final line: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
One hit allowed.
Eight strikeouts.
No runs.
A Memphis win.
That is a Pitcher of the Day performance.
The Final Word
Saturday was a reset night for Memphis and a rare stumble for Springfield.
The Redbirds snapped their three-game losing streak with an 8-1 win over Norfolk, getting a big night from Bligh Madris and 5.2 scoreless innings from Mason Molina.
Springfield’s eight-game winning streak ended in an 11-5 loss to Arkansas, but Rainiel Rodriguez homered again and the Cardinals remain in first place in the Texas League North.
Peoria and Palm Beach are done for the season.
Memphis bounced back.
Springfield finally cooled off.
The postseason focus continues.
That is the farm report.
Photo Credit: Rainiel Rodriguez, Springfield Cardinals | MLB