Peña Powers Peoria, Fajardo Deals, Memphis Wins Third Straight
THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Farm Report: Peña Powers Peoria, Fajardo Deals, Memphis Wins Third Straight
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur
The Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report is your most complete daily look at the Cardinals’ minor league system — from box scores and standings to standout performances and prospect notes.
Wednesday was a strong night across the Cardinals’ farm system.
Memphis won its third straight. Springfield stopped its slide behind a terrific start from Yhoiker Fajardo. Peoria powered past Beloit behind a monster game from Yordalin Peña. Palm Beach was the only affiliate to fall, losing a walk-off game at Daytona.
The full-season affiliates finished 3-1.
Memphis Redbirds — Triple-A
Overall Record: 65-51
Second Half: 18-23, 8th in the International League West, 8.0 GB
Streak: W3
Memphis 7, Durham 3
Memphis kept rolling Wednesday night with a 7-3 win over Durham.
The Redbirds used a five-run third inning to take control, then added single runs in the fifth and sixth to build enough cushion for the bullpen.
Nolan Gorman gave Memphis one of the biggest swings of the night, going 1-for-2 with his 12th home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and three walks. Chase Davis also went deep, hitting his second home run of the season.
Leo Bernal drove in two runs, pushing his RBI total to 70. Joshua Báez had a hit, a walk, an RBI and stole his 21st base. Victor Scott II had two hits, while Ramon Mendoza added two hits of his own.
On the mound, Quinn Mathews gave Memphis four solid innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
His final line: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Brycen Mautz allowed two runs over two innings, but Ryan Fernandez, Cade Winquest and Hancel Rincón combined to cover the final three innings without allowing a run.
Takeaway: Memphis has won three straight, and this one came with power, patience and enough pitching to control the night.
Springfield Cardinals — Double-A
Overall Record: 56-53
Second Half: 25-16, 1st in the Texas League North
Streak: W1
Springfield 3, Northwest Arkansas 1
Springfield needed a clean, steady win.
Yhoiker Fajardo delivered it.
Fajardo earned Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day honors after working 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking two and striking out five in Springfield’s 3-1 win over Northwest Arkansas.
His final line: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
That was exactly the kind of start Springfield needed after a rough stretch.
The bullpen followed his lead. Sandro Santana worked 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Domenic Picone added a clean eighth with two strikeouts. Randel Clemente allowed one run in the ninth, but finished the game.
Springfield pitching combined for nine innings, five hits, one run, two walks and 10 strikeouts.
The offense did enough. Jesús Báez, hit is 16th double-a HR and drove in his 40th run. Jack Gurevitch drove in his second run with Springfield. Zach Levenson doubled and drove in a run, while Tre Richardson III walked, stole his 17th base and scored.
Takeaway: Springfield stopped the losing streak, stayed in first place and got a tone-setting start from Fajardo.
Peoria Chiefs — High-A
Overall Record: 54-55
Second Half: 22-21, 5th in the Midwest League West, 3.5 GB
Streak: W1
Peoria 8, Beloit 4
Yordalin Peña owned the loudest offensive line in the system Wednesday night.
Peña earned Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day honors after going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs and three runs scored in Peoria’s 8-4 win over Beloit.
His final line: 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R
That is a night.
Peña hit his first two home runs for Peoria, added his fourth double and drove in four of the Chiefs’ eight runs.
Peoria jumped out with four runs in the first inning, added two more in the fourth, another in the fifth and one more in the eighth. The Chiefs finished with 11 hits.
Cade McGee stayed hot, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Ian Petrutz had two hits, an RBI, a run scored and his sixth stolen base. Alex Birge drove in two runs and stole his first base. Anyelo Encarnación added a hit, a walk and his 16th stolen base.
On the mound, Jack Martinez battled command, walking seven over 3.1 innings, but limited the damage to two runs. Rubén Menes was excellent in relief, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed.
Christian Worley struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings, and Gerardo Salas came in to record the final out with a strikeout.
Takeaway: Peña supplied the thunder, McGee kept hitting, and Peoria’s bullpen steadied the game after a shaky start.
Palm Beach Cardinals — Low-A
Overall Record: 55-55
Second Half: 22-22, 2nd in the Florida State League East, 6.0 GB
Streak: L2
Daytona 5, Palm Beach 4
Palm Beach was one out away from escaping with a win, but Daytona scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to hand the Cardinals a 5-4 loss.
The Cardinals trailed 3-2 entering the eighth before scoring twice to take a 4-3 lead. Daytona answered in the ninth, scoring two unearned runs to walk it off.
Gabe Camacho had the top offensive line for Palm Beach, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Owen Henne doubled, walked and scored twice. Trevor Haskins had a hit, two walks and an RBI. Alexander Frias and Yairo Padilla each drove in a run.
On the mound, Andrew Dutkanych IV gave Palm Beach five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
His final line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Alan Reyes followed with 2.2 innings of one-run ball, and Dallis Moran was charged with two unearned runs in the ninth.
Takeaway: Palm Beach had the lead late, but could not close it out. The Cardinals have now dropped two straight.
Quick Hits: 10 Players, 10 Stats
1. Yordalin Peña, Peoria: 3-for-4, two home runs, double, four RBIs, three runs scored.
2. Yhoiker Fajardo, Springfield: 5.2 scoreless innings, three hits, two walks, five strikeouts.
3. Nolan Gorman, Memphis: 12th home run, two RBIs, two runs, three walks.
4. Cade McGee, Peoria: 3-for-4, double, RBI, two runs scored.
5. Quinn Mathews, Memphis: 4.0 innings, one run, five strikeouts.
6. Leo Bernal, Memphis: Two RBIs, giving him 70 on the season.
7. Joshua Báez, Memphis: RBI No. 88 and stolen base No. 21.
8. Rubén Menes, Peoria: 2.2 scoreless innings, one hit allowed.
9. Zach Levenson, Springfield: Double and RBI No. 36.
10. Andrew Dutkanych IV, Palm Beach: 5.0 innings, two earned runs, five strikeouts.
Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day
Yordalin Peña, DH, Peoria Chiefs
Peña had the loudest offensive night in the system and powered Peoria to an 8-4 win.
His final line: 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R
Two home runs, three extra-base hits, four RBIs and three runs scored.
That is a headline game.
Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day
Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP, Springfield Cardinals
Fajardo gave Springfield exactly what it needed: a strong start and a chance to stop the slide.
His final line: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
He handed the ball to the bullpen with Springfield in control, and the Cardinals finished off a 3-1 win.
The Final Word
Wednesday was a good night for the Cardinals’ farm system.
Memphis has now won three straight. Springfield stopped its losing streak and stayed on top of the Texas League North. Peoria got a power show from Yordalin Peña and moved back over .500 in the second half.
Palm Beach was the only affiliate to lose, and that one slipped away late.
Three wins.
A two-homer night from Peña.
A scoreless start from Fajardo.
A third straight Memphis win.
That is a strong farm report.
The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Jesús Báez's 16th Double-A home | MLB.com