Result: Astros 11, Cardinals 6
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – When Cardinals top prospect J.J. Wetherholt came up to bat in the fifth inning on Sunday, he took what he later described as “one of the worst swings of my life.”
Nobody except Wetherholt will remember that because of what happened on the next pitch.
Wetherholt, the Cardinals first-round pick in the amateur draft just eight months ago, hit a three-run homer on the next pitch, delivering one of the few highlights in the Cardinals’ second consecutive loss to begin the spring.
Starting two double plays, including one in the first inning, helped Wetherholt settle into his big-league debut, hitting a bloop single to center for his first hit in his second at-bat in the fourth.
“Obviously you don’t want to go out there and mess up in your first chance in a big-league uniform but it’s early in the year, we’re all trying to get better, playing free and easy,” Wetherholt said. “(You’ve) got nothing to lose, whatever happens happens. Just have fun.”
He remembered that after swinging and missing the first pitch of his at-bat in the fifth.
“Flush it, stick to my approach, get ready for a fastball,” Wetherholt said. “I put a good swing on it.”
The Cardinals intend to give Wetherholt a good look in the early part of camp, alternating him with Masyn Winn in starts at shortstop, even though he likely will be heading to Class A Peoria to start the season after beginning his pro career at Palm Beach last summer.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
High: Another top prospect who is healthy again after two injury-filled years, Tekoah Roby, worked two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Low: Sem Robberse allowed nine consecutive hits over two innings, then made a throwing error and hit a batter, giving up nine runs in two-thirds of an inning.
At the plate: Another West Virginia product, Victor Scott II, got the start in center field and singled with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth to drive in the first two runs for the Cardinals … Weterholt’s homer came after singles by Luken Baker and Thomas Saggese … R.J. Yeager, who played at Springfield last year, had two hits, including a ninth-inning homer.
On the mound: Miles Mikolas started and worked the first two innings, allowing two hits and walking one. “As far as first outings in spring training go I was pretty happy with it,” Mikolas said … The only batter to reach base off Roby came on a hit batter before he got a strike out and a double play. His fastball reached 98 miles per hour … In his inning of work, JoJo Romero walked two and allowed a hit before striking out the next three batters with the bases loaded … John King also worked a perfect inning in relief.
Worth noting: Sonny Gray threw a live batting practice on a back field before Sunday’s game. He is not scheduled to start in a spring game until at least Friday but is lined up to start the opening game of the regular season on March 27.
Up next: There is rain in the forecast for Monday, when the Cardinals are scheduled to host the Mets in Jupiter. Steven Matz will get the start.
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