Postcard from Cardinals’ spring training camp for Friday, March 8, 2024
Result: Cardinals 7, Nationals 6
Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Lance Lynn failed to get out of the first inning of his spring debut for the Cardinals on Friday night after giving up four runs while recording only two outs.
Allowed to re-enter the game under spring rules, Lynn didn’t make it out of the third because of a dispute with home plate umpire Angel Hernandez.
Lynn was ejected by Hernandez during the game against the Nationals in West Palm Beach because of questions about ball and strike calls.
When Lynn attempted to go to the bullpen to throw the rest of the pitches he wasn’t able to throw in the game, Hernandez ordered him to leave the field. Manager Oli Marmol went with him, also ejected from the game.
Lynn issued three walks and allowed two hits in the opening inning, including a bases-loaded double. He gave up one hit in the second, then was ejected one out into the third inning.
Here is how Friday night’s game broke down:
High: Nolan Gorman hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot, and drove in a third run on a bases-loaded walk.
Low: After the Nationals’ four-run first inning the Cardinals have now allowed a combined nine runs in the first inning in their last three games.
At the plate: Victor Scott II had two hits, drove in a run and stole his third base of the spring out of the leadoff spot … Jordan Walker had an RBI double and also stole a base, while Michael Siani, fighting for a spot in the injured-depleted outfielder, had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run .. Thomas Saggese also had a two-hit night.
On the mound: After Lynn’s eventful start the Cardinals got scoreless innings out of Ryan Helsley and JoJo Romero. Helsley had to pitch around two walks and a hit while Romero allowed one hit while recording two strikeouts … Giovanny Gallegos gave up one unearned run and Zack Thompson worked the final three innings, allowing a home run to former Cardinal Juan Yepez in the ninth.
Worth noting: The Cardinals reduced their spring rostet to 56 players by optioning pitcher Adam Kloffenstein to Memphis and re-assigning non-roster pitcher Cooper Hjerpe to the minor-league camp.
Up next: Steven Matz will make his first start of the spring on Saturday when the Cardinals host the New York Mets in Jupiter.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
