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The Cardinal Chronicle St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurCardinals Promote Max Rajcic for Major League DebutThe St. Louis Cardinals are turning to another arm from Memphis, and this one comes with some momentum.Right-handed reliever Max Rajcic is being promoted from Triple-A Memphis and is expected to join the big league active roster ahead of Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. The move sets up Rajcic for his major league debut and gives the Cardinals a fresh bullpen option after Chris Roycroft was optioned back to the minors.Because Rajcic was not already on the 40-man roster, St. Louis will still need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move to officially select his contract.For Rajcic, the call is not just a reward for one good week. It is the result of a strong body of work at Memphis, where he has steadily pushed his way into the organization’s bullpen conversation. The 24-year-old right-hander was recently named the Cardinals’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May after dominating in relief for the Redbirds.During that May run, Rajcic posted a 1.20 ERA with two wins, three saves, a 0.80 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 11 appearances. He allowed only eight hits during the month and ranked among the top Cardinals minor league pitchers in several key categories, including ERA, WHIP, saves and opponent OPS.That kind of production made him hard to ignore.Originally selected by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of UCLA, Rajcic has followed a different development path than some of the more heavily publicized arms in the system. He has worked as a starter in the past, but his current value to St. Louis comes in relief, where his ability to throw strikes, compete in the zone and handle multi-inning work gives the Cardinals another possible bullpen bridge.That matters for a club trying to protect a contending roster while still evaluating internal pitching depth.The Cardinals have already leaned heavily on Memphis this season, and Rajcic becomes the latest example of an organization using its upper-level depth to manage the long grind of a 162-game season. With Roycroft heading back down, Rajcic now gets his opportunity to prove that his Triple-A success can translate against major league hitters.It also gives St. Louis another look at a pitcher who could factor into the bullpen picture beyond just one roster cycle. The Cardinals do not need Rajcic to be a finished product on day one. They need him to attack the strike zone, limit free passes and give the bullpen quality innings.For Rajcic, that is the assignment.For the Cardinals, it is another earned opportunity handed to a player who has forced his way into the conversation. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; &nbsp;MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Max Rajcic, St. Louis Cardinals | MiLB

Cardinals Promote Max Rajcic for Major League Debut

The Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Hancel Rincón St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurHancel Rincón gave Memphis one of the rarest pitching notes in baseball Wednesday afternoon.Nine pitches.Nine strikes.Three strikeouts.That is an immaculate inning.Rincón is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Minor League Pitcher of the Day after striking out five over 2.2 innings in Memphis’ 10-8 loss to the Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park.The Redbirds did not complete the comeback, but Rincón gave them a pitching highlight that stood out across the Cardinals’ full-season system.His sixth inning was the headliner. Rincón struck out the side on nine pitches, throwing every pitch for a strike and turning the inning into one of those moments that gets circled in the box score.An immaculate inning does not happen by accident.A pitcher has to be in the zone, the stuff has to be sharp, and the hitters have to be unable to do anything with it. For one inning, Rincón had complete control.He finished his outing with five strikeouts in 2.2 innings. He did allow one run on two hits, but the swing-and-miss was the story. In a game where Memphis had to use several arms and was trying to climb out of a deep early hole, Rincón gave the Redbirds a stretch of power relief that helped keep the comeback within reach.That matters.Memphis spent most of the afternoon chasing Nashville after falling behind by seven runs. The Redbirds kept pushing, and the pitching staff needed someone to stop the game from getting completely away.Rincón did that for a stretch.The immaculate inning was the attention-grabber, but the five strikeouts were not a footnote. That is the kind of relief appearance that shows the quality of the stuff, even when the final line is not spotless.Cooper Hjerpe deserves strong mention after throwing two perfect innings with two strikeouts in his second rehab start for Palm Beach. That was another encouraging step in his return to full-season action.Tink Hence also deserves mention after opening Memphis’ bullpen game with two innings, one run, no walks and two strikeouts.But Rincón gets the honor because an immaculate inning belongs in bold print.Nine pitches.Nine strikes.Three strikeouts.That is a rare inning, and it was the best pitching note in the system Wednesday.Old School TakeSome pitching lines are clean.Some pitching moments are rare.Hancel Rincón gave Memphis a rare one.An immaculate inning is baseball at its simplest and sharpest. Throw strikes. Miss bats. Walk off the mound before anybody has time to breathe.The Redbirds lost the game.Rincón still gave them a moment worth remembering.That is why Hancel Rincón is The Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Pitcher of the Day. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Hancel Rincón, Memphis Redbirds | Daily Memphian

MiLB Pitcher of the Day: Hancel Rincón

The Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Player of the Day: Yohel Pozo St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurYohel Pozo did everything he could to drag Memphis back into the game Wednesday afternoon.The Redbirds did not finish the comeback.Pozo still earned the headline.Pozo is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Minor League Player of the Day after going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored in Memphis’ 10-8 loss to the Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park.This was not a quiet four-hit game.Pozo kept Memphis alive.The Redbirds fell behind by seven runs early, then had to spend most of the afternoon trying to claw back into a game that Nashville appeared ready to put away. Pozo made sure it never became comfortable for the Sounds.He doubled. He homered. Then he homered again.His second home run helped Memphis close the gap late and kept the tying run relevant in a game where the Redbirds continued to push Nashville all the way to the final innings.That is what a veteran bat is supposed to do.Pozo did not let the game disappear.Memphis pushed the tying run to the plate in each of the final four innings, and Pozo’s bat was a major reason why. One day after Joshua Báez delivered one of the most historic offensive performances in Redbirds history, Pozo gave Memphis another big individual night at the plate.It was not enough to win.But it was enough to stand out.Pozo finished with four hits, two home runs, three RBIs and two runs scored. On a day when Memphis needed someone to help carry the offense after falling into an early hole, Pozo answered.Rainiel Rodriguez deserves strong mention after reaching base five times for Springfield, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two walks in a 10-9 loss at Wichita. That is an important development note for one of the Cardinals’ top prospects.Michael Dattalo also deserves mention after helping Palm Beach beat Jupiter 11-6, driving in runs and staying in the middle of an offense that has opened the series with back-to-back wins.But Pozo had the biggest offensive line of the day.Four hits.Two home runs.Three RBIs.A double.A comeback effort that nearly turned a seven-run deficit into something more.That earns the honor.Old School TakeA player cannot erase an early deficit by himself.But he can make sure the other club has to keep playing.Yohel Pozo did that Wednesday.Memphis fell behind big, but Pozo kept swinging. He hit two home runs, added a double, drove in three runs and helped turn what could have been a forgettable loss into a fight to the finish.The Redbirds lost the game.Pozo did his part.That is why Yohel Pozo is The Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Player of the Day. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Yohel Pozo, St. Louis Cardinals | MLB

MiLB Player of the Day: Yohel Pozo

The Cardinal Chronicle Daily Farm Report St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurFarm Report: Pozo Powers Memphis Rally, Palm Beach Wins Again, Springfield Falls by OneThe Cardinals’ full-season minor league affiliates went 1-2 on Wednesday, with Peoria postponed by severe weather.Memphis nearly erased a pair of seven-run deficits but fell 10-8 to Nashville at AutoZone Park. Springfield collected 16 hits and got another big night from Rainiel Rodriguez, but lost 10-9 at Wichita. Peoria’s game against Dayton was postponed and will be made up Thursday as part of a doubleheader. Palm Beach picked up the system’s only win, beating Jupiter 11-6 behind early offense, a big sixth inning and two perfect rehab innings from Cooper Hjerpe.It was not a clean night across the system.But it was not an empty one.Yohel Pozo homered twice for Memphis. Rainiel Rodriguez reached base five times for Springfield. Palm Beach kept swinging. Hancel Rincón delivered one of the cleaner pitching highlights of the night with an immaculate inning for Memphis.Memphis Redbirds Record: 44-27, International League Standings: 1st place, International League West; virtual tie with Rochester in the International League first-half race Result: Nashville 10, Memphis 8Memphis did not make it easy on itself Wednesday afternoon.One day after Joshua Báez’s historic four-home run night, the Redbirds fell behind early and could not quite finish the comeback in a 10-8 loss to the Nashville Sounds at AutoZone Park.Nashville jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three innings, doing most of the early damage with the long ball. The Sounds added another run in the fourth and eventually stretched the lead back to seven runs, but Memphis kept answering.Yohel Pozo gave the Redbirds the biggest offensive line of the day. The veteran catcher went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. It was his first multi-homer game of the season at Triple-A, and he helped keep Memphis alive after the game appeared to be slipping away.Memphis pushed the tying run to the plate in each of the final four innings.That says something.The Redbirds did not fold after the early deficit. They kept chipping away, scoring in the middle innings and forcing Nashville to use nearly every bit of its cushion.Joshua Báez, coming off the best game of his professional career, drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning as the tying run came to the plate. Pozo later brought Memphis back within two runs with his second home run, and the Redbirds cut the deficit to one in the eighth before Nashville added an insurance run in the ninth.Tink Hence started the bullpen game for Memphis and worked two innings. He allowed one run on two hits, walked none and struck out two.The pitching highlight came from Hancel Rincón. The right-hander struck out five over 2.2 innings and threw an immaculate inning in the sixth. Rincón did allow one run on two hits, but the strikeout burst and the clean nine-pitch inning stood out.The loss dropped Memphis into a virtual tie with Rochester in the International League first-half race. Due to winning percentage, Rochester controls its own path. Memphis still has a magic number of five, but the margin has tightened.The Redbirds still control plenty of what is in front of them.They just made the road a little harder.Springfield Cardinals Record: 27-37, Texas League North Standings: 4th place, Texas League North Result: Wichita 10, Springfield 9Springfield had the hits.The Cardinals just did not have the final answer.Springfield collected 16 hits Wednesday afternoon at Equity Bank Park but lost a wild 10-9 game to the Wichita Wind Surge. It was the kind of box score that leaves a club shaking its head. The Cardinals had traffic all day, put together rallies, and had several strong individual offensive performances.They still came up one run short.Rainiel Rodriguez led the Springfield offense, going 3-for-3 with his fourth Double-A home run and two walks. He reached base in all five plate appearances, the kind of day that jumps off the page even in a loss.Rodriguez has started to heat up at Double-A, and this was another reminder of why he remains one of the top prospects in the Cardinals’ system. He did not chase the day. He controlled the strike zone, got his pitches, and produced.Zach Levenson also homered for Springfield, his fifth of the season. Ryan Campos went 3-for-5 with a double, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Brody Moore added two hits and has now hit safely in all seven games since joining Springfield.There was plenty to like offensively.The problem was keeping Wichita off the board.Springfield took a 6-2 lead in the fifth inning, but Wichita immediately answered with three runs in the bottom half. The Cardinals added another run in the sixth, but the Wind Surge came back with three more in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead.Wichita added two insurance runs in the seventh, and Springfield’s two-run push in the eighth left the Cardinals one run short.Jurrangelo Cijntje started for Springfield and allowed five runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. The bullpen could not fully stop the momentum once Wichita started stacking rallies.For Springfield, the story is simple.Sixteen hits should be enough to win most nights.Wednesday was not one of them.Peoria Chiefs Record: 32-32, Midwest League West Standings: 3rd place, Midwest League West Result: PostponedPeoria’s scheduled Wednesday game against Dayton at Dozer Park was postponed because of forecasted severe weather in the area.The game will be made up Thursday as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m. Both games are scheduled for seven innings, with game two starting approximately 45 minutes after the completion of game one.For the Chiefs, the postponement pauses a series that began with an 8-2 loss to Dayton on Tuesday night.Peoria will get two chances Thursday to reset the series and get back above .500.Palm Beach Cardinals Record: 33-32, Florida State League East Standings: 2nd place, Florida State League East Result: Palm Beach 11, Jupiter 6Palm Beach kept the bats moving Wednesday night.The Cardinals beat Jupiter 11-6 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, taking the first two games of the series from the first-half division champion Hammerheads.Palm Beach jumped out early with three runs in the first inning. Sebastian Dos Santos opened the game with a single, Deniel Ortiz was hit by a pitch, and Michael Dattalo followed with an RBI single back up the middle to score Dos Santos. Ryan Weingartner added a sacrifice fly, and Matthew Miura capped the inning with an RBI single to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.Cooper Hjerpe made his second rehab start for Palm Beach and looked sharp again. The left-hander threw two perfect innings and struck out two.That is the kind of step you want to see from a pitcher working his way back.Jupiter cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third, but Palm Beach broke the game open in the sixth.Miura led off with a walk, stole second, then stole third. Yordalin Peña drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Jonathan Mejia followed with a triple and scored when Heriberto Caraballo put the ball in play and Jupiter failed to complete the play at the plate. Later in the inning, Ryan Mitchell added a sacrifice fly, and Dattalo doubled in another run to push Palm Beach’s lead to 7-2.Jupiter answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, trimming the lead to 7-5.Palm Beach put it away in the eighth without needing a hit.The Cardinals drew five consecutive walks to force in two runs, then scored two more on a throwing error to stretch the lead to 11-5. Jupiter got one run back in the bottom of the eighth, but the Cardinals had enough cushion.Dattalo was in the middle of the offense early and late, driving in runs in both the first and sixth innings. Miura scored twice and helped create offense with his legs. Hjerpe’s two perfect innings added the clean pitching note.After a rough series against St. Lucie last week, Palm Beach has opened this week with back-to-back wins over Jupiter.That is a good answer.Player of the Day Yohel Pozo, Memphis RedbirdsYohel Pozo is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Player of the Day after going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored in Memphis’ 10-8 loss to Nashville.Pozo did everything he could to help the Redbirds climb out of an early hole. Memphis fell behind by seven runs at two different points, but Pozo’s bat kept the Redbirds alive and helped turn a potential blowout into a game Nashville had to finish.Rainiel Rodriguez deserves strong mention after going 3-for-3 with a home run and two walks for Springfield. Reaching base five times in a Double-A game is a real development note. Michael Dattalo also deserves mention after helping lead Palm Beach’s 11-run night against Jupiter.But Pozo had the biggest offensive line.Four hits.Two home runs.Three RBIs.That gets the honor.Pitcher of the Day Hancel Rincón, Memphis RedbirdsHancel Rincón is The Cardinal Chronicle’s Pitcher of the Day after striking out five over 2.2 innings for Memphis and delivering an immaculate inning in the sixth.Rincón did allow one run on two hits, but the strikeout stuff stood out. An immaculate inning does not happen by accident. Nine pitches. Nine strikes. Three strikeouts. That is a pitcher taking complete control of an inning.Cooper Hjerpe deserves strong mention after throwing two perfect innings with two strikeouts in his second rehab start for Palm Beach. Tink Hence also deserves mention after opening Memphis’ bullpen game with two innings, one run, no walks and two strikeouts.But Rincón gets the nod for the swing-and-miss and the rare clean inning that belongs in bold print.Old School TakeWednesday had some frustration built into it.Memphis nearly came all the way back but lost. Springfield had 16 hits and still lost. Peoria did not play. Palm Beach won, and that was the system’s only victory.But there were plenty of notes worth keeping.Yohel Pozo had a big afternoon.Rainiel Rodriguez reached base five times.Cooper Hjerpe gave Palm Beach two perfect innings.Hancel Rincón threw an immaculate inning.Palm Beach has started the week with back-to-back wins over Jupiter.That is the farm report in a nutshell.The scoreboard was mixed.The development notebook was full. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Yohel Pozo, Memphis Redbirds | MiLB

Pozo Powers Memphis Rally, Palm Beach Wins, Springfield Falls by One

The Cardinal Chronicle Leahy Gets the Ball as Cardinals Go for Sweep&nbsp; St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe Cardinals have already won the series.Now they have a chance to finish it.St. Louis closes its three-game set against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium, looking for a sweep after taking the first two games behind outstanding starting pitching and just enough timely offense.First pitch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. CT, with right-hander Kyle Leahy getting the ball for the Cardinals. San Diego had not announced its starter as of the latest game listing, leaving the Padres with the possibility of a bullpen-heavy afternoon.The Cardinals enter the finale at 40-31, while the Padres come in at 37-35. St. Louis has already taken the first two games of the series, winning 3-0 on Monday behind Dustin May’s one-hit complete-game shutout and then grinding out a 3-2 win Tuesday night behind seven strong innings from Andre Pallante.That is the kind of series-opening pitching this club needed.May gave the Cardinals the reset Monday night, doing the work himself and giving the bullpen a full night of rest. Pallante followed Tuesday by carrying the game into the late innings, allowing only two runs over seven innings while keeping San Diego from ever fully taking control. After a difficult weekend in Minnesota, where late-inning execution became a problem, the Cardinals’ rotation has answered loudly.Now it is Leahy’s turn to keep the line moving.Leahy enters at 5-3 with a 4.64 ERA. His season has had some rough spots, and there has been discussion around whether his long-term fit might eventually be in the bullpen, but Wednesday gives him a valuable opportunity. A strong start in a sweep game against a talented Padres lineup would not only help the Cardinals finish the series, it would also help Leahy steady his own place in the rotation conversation.The assignment is straightforward.Throw strikes. Work ahead. Keep the ball in the yard. Make San Diego earn everything.The Padres have not done much offensively in this series, but that does not make them harmless. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts and the rest of that lineup are still capable of changing a game quickly. The Cardinals have held San Diego down for two straight nights, but sweep games have a way of waking up clubs that have been quiet.That is why Leahy cannot give the Padres free baserunners.San Diego has been searching for offense at Busch Stadium, and St. Louis should do everything possible to keep it that way. Walks ahead of the Padres’ impact bats are the quickest way to turn a controlled afternoon into a mess. Leahy does not need to be perfect, but he does need to stay aggressive and avoid the big inning.Offensively, the Cardinals have not exactly buried San Diego with crooked numbers, but they have made the right swings count.On Monday, Jimmy Crooks delivered the key two-run double to support May’s masterpiece. On Tuesday, Blaze Jordan drove in the first run with a double, Nathan Church followed with an RBI single, and Lars Nootbaar added a sacrifice fly that turned out to be the difference. Those are not always the kind of highlights that lead the national shows, but they are the kind of at-bats that win close games.That has been the story of the series so far.The Cardinals have pitched well, defended well enough, and found enough offense to win both games. Not flashy. Not excessive. Just winning baseball.JJ Wetherholt also continues to look comfortable in the flow of big-league games. His three-hit night Tuesday, along with a walk and stolen base, gave the Cardinals another reminder that his value is not limited to prospect hype. He is contributing now. When Wetherholt is getting on base and creating pressure, the lineup looks much more difficult to navigate.Blaze Jordan is another player worth watching closely in the finale. Since his arrival, he has brought real energy to the roster, and Tuesday’s RBI double was another example of the bat speed and strength that made him worth the call. The Cardinals do not need to turn every young player into a savior story, but Jordan has already shown he can help a big-league lineup.That matters for a club trying to win while still developing.The Cardinals are in that interesting place where the future is no longer just sitting in Memphis, Springfield or Peoria. It is standing in the batter’s box at Busch Stadium and being asked to help win games right now. Wetherholt, Jordan, Walker, Herrera, Crooks and others are not just names for tomorrow’s conversation. They are part of today’s lineup card.Wednesday is another chance for that group to keep building.The Cardinals should expect San Diego to push back. The Padres have dropped the first two games of the series and have been held to two runs total. A club with that much talent and that many expectations will not want to leave St. Louis quietly. The Cardinals cannot assume the sweep will happen because the first two games went their way.They have to go take it.That means Leahy giving them a competitive start. It means the offense making San Diego’s pitching plan work from the first inning. It means the defense taking care of the routine plays. It means the bullpen, when called upon, finishing the job cleaner than it did in Minnesota.A sweep would do more than polish off a brief homestand.It would give the Cardinals three straight wins over a talented National League opponent, strengthen their footing in the playoff race, and send them into the next stretch with momentum. It would also turn the Minnesota frustration into exactly what it should be — a rough weekend, not a bad turn.The Cardinals have spent the first two games of this series reminding everyone what clean baseball looks like.Now they get one more afternoon at Busch Stadium to finish the job.Game Info Matchup: San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals When: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 First pitch: 1:15 p.m. CT Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis Probable Pitchers: TBA vs. RHP Kyle Leahy Leahy: 5-3, 4.64 ERA Weather: Partly sunny and hot, upper-80s around first pitch Broadcast: Cardinals.TV / KMOX / WIJRThe Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; &nbsp;MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>

Leahy Gets the Ball as Cardinals Go for Sweep Against the Padres

The Cardinal Chronicle Pallante Sets the Tone as Cardinals Hold Off Padres, 3-2 St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe St. Louis Cardinals did not need a blowout Tuesday night.They needed another professionaered a complete-game masterpiece against San Diego, Andre Pallante followed with seven strong innings of his own, and the Cardinals held off the Padres, 3-2, at Busch Stadium.It was not flashy. It was not comfortable. It was not one of those games that gave the home crowd much room to breathe. But it was clean, timely, and built on the kind of starting pitching that changes the entire temperature of a series.Pallante gave St. Louis exactly what it needed.The right-hander worked seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking none and striking out six. He threw 92 pitches, 65 for strikes, and continued what has become a very steady run in the Cardinals’ rotation.That is the important part.The Cardinals have spent much of this season trying to stabilize the pitching picture, and over the past two nights against San Diego, they have received the old-fashioned formula: a starter taking the baseball deep into the game, limiting traffic, and handing a lead to the bullpen.May set the bar Monday night. Pallante followed it Tuesday.That is how good teams stack wins.The Cardinals gave Pallante early support in the second inning. Lars Nootbaar worked a walk, and rookie Blaze Jordan followed by driving a double to left field, scoring Nootbaar and giving St. Louis a 1-0 lead.Jordan continues to look like he belongs in the moment. There will be growing pains. There always are with a young hitter getting his first real taste of the big leagues. But the bat does not look overwhelmed, and the moment does not appear too large. His double was not just another rookie highlight. It was an early run in a one-run game.That matters.Nathan Church followed with a single to right, bringing Jordan home and stretching the lead to 2-0. The Cardinals did not pile on from there, but they had given Pallante a cushion, and for most of the night, he made it stand.San Diego finally broke through in the fifth. Samad Taylor singled, stole second, and scored when Ty France singled to center. But the Padres ran themselves out of more damage when France was thrown out trying to advance to second, with Church making the play from center field.That play mattered as much as any swing in the game.In the bottom half of the inning, the Cardinals answered.Ivan Herrera reached base, moved into scoring position, and Nootbaar lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Herrera and pushing the lead back to 3-1. It was not a loud RBI, but it was the kind of situational at-bat that wins tight games in June.The Padres made it tight again in the sixth when Fernando Tatis Jr. singled and Jackson Merrill doubled to center, cutting the Cardinals’ lead to 3-2.That was the test.Pallante did not flinch.He finished the inning, returned for the seventh, and kept the Padres from tying the game. In a sport where starters are too often protected from the third time through a lineup like it is a haunted house, Pallante gave the Cardinals seven full innings and forced San Diego to earn everything.The Padres did not.While Pallante owned the mound, JJ Wetherholt kept setting the table.Wetherholt finished 3-for-4 with a walk, giving the Cardinals another three-hit game from the top of the order. He did not drive in a run, but he gave St. Louis constant pressure and helped keep innings alive. His ability to reach base, handle velocity, and stay involved in the game continues to stand out.The rookie has not just been surviving. He has been contributing.Alec Burleson also extended his hitting streak to 16 games, continuing one of the steadiest offensive runs on the club. Burleson went 1-for-4, and while Tuesday night was not built around a big Burleson swing, his consistency has become one of the quiet engines of this lineup.There is value in the player who shows up every night and gives the lineup something dependable.Burleson has been that guy.The Cardinals finished with eight hits and left 11 runners on base, so this was not a night where the offense cashed every opportunity. St. Louis went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, which kept San Diego within a swing deep into the game.But in a 3-2 win, the difference is often not volume. It is timing.Jordan doubled in a run. Church singled in a run. Nootbaar delivered the sacrifice fly. Pallante gave the Cardinals length. The bullpen protected the narrow lead.That was enough.The final line told the story clearly: Cardinals 3 runs, 8 hits, no errors; Padres 2 runs, 4 hits, no errors.San Diego has now managed just two runs in two games at Busch Stadium after being shut out Monday night. That is not an accident. The Cardinals’ starters have taken control of this series and forced the Padres to play from behind.This was not a runaway. It was a grinder.But those wins count too.For the Cardinals, the encouraging signs were easy to find. Pallante gave them seven innings. Wetherholt had another three-hit night. Burleson’s hitting streak reached 16 games. Blaze Jordan kept making noise with the bat. Nootbaar and Church delivered productive at-bats. And St. Louis found a way to win a tight game against a quality opponent.That is a good night at the ballpark.The Cardinals will try to finish off the series Wednesday afternoon, with Kyle Leahy scheduled to take the mound against San Diego right-hander Griffin Canning. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports &amp; &nbsp;MiLB Today Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Andre Pallante, St. Louis Cardinals | Lighthouse Media

Pallante Sets the Tone as Cardinals Hold Off Padres, 3-2

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle 

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving Cardinals history, covering today’s game, and following the next generation through the minor leagues. Written in the tradition of the old beat writers, it’s baseball with perspective — steady, faithful, and rooted in a lifelong love for the game.

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle, Ray Mileur

The Cardinal Notebook

Cardinals Promote Max Rajcic for Major League Debut

MiLB Pitcher of the Day: Hancel Rincón

MiLB Player of the Day: Yohel Pozo

Pozo Powers Memphis Rally, Palm Beach Wins, Springfield F...

Leahy Gets the Ball as Cardinals Go for Sweep Against the...

Pallante Sets the Tone as Cardinals Hold Off Padres, 3-2