Result: Cardinals 7, Mets 4
Weather: 70 degrees, overcast
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – It’s admittedly very early in spring training, but Jordan Walker and the Cardinals are very pleased with his performance so far.
And on Monday, he even was able to generate a couple of positive results.
Walker singled up the middle in his first at-bat, and later doubled down the left field line, driving in a run in his third at-bat in the sixth, as the Cardinals picked up their first victory of the spring, beating the raindrops as well as the Mets.
“It is a process, but it is nice to see some results now,” Walker said. “I think I am making a lot of progress. I think I am moving in the right direction for sure.”
The Cardinals have worked with Walker to adjust his swing, staying in longer on inside pitches, which also then allows for him to reach more balls off the plate – which have given him trouble in the past.
“That’s definitely a good sign,” Walker said, “and I want to continue doing that.”
Manager Oli Marmol said the results show how hard Walker has been working.
“His work has been awesome,” Marmol said. “He’s committed to the stuff he’s working on with (Brant) Brown and you see it in the stance, in his hands, how he’s getting to that position. He’s carrying the barrel through the zone better.
“It was an awesome day for him for sure.”
Here is how Monday’s game broke down:
High: Luken Baker, battling for a spot off the bench, hit a three-run homer and added a fourth RBI on a sacrifice fly.
Low: In his first appearance of the spring, Ryan Helsley allowed three hits and two runs in one inning.
At the plate: Willson Contreras had a double and single in his three at-bats while Matt Koperniak also delivered a pair of singles and added a stolen base … Baker’s home run followed a walk to Ivan Herrera and the single from Walker … Non-roster infielder Jose Barrero hit a home run in the eighth inning for the Cardinals’ final run.
On the mound: Steven Matz allowed one baserunner in his two innings of work, on a walk, with five of his six outs coming on ground balls … Helsley had to face Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso in his inning of work, retiring Lindor but then gave up a single to Soto and an RBI double to Alonso … Gordon Graceffo allowed a home run but also had four strikeouts in his two innings.
Worth noting: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was in the Cardinals camp on Monday morning as part of his spring tour of all 30 team camps … Contreras handled two ground balls flawlessly and looked comfortable in his second game at first base.
Up next: The Cardinals head to the west coast of Florida for games on Tuesday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin and on Wednesday against the Yankees in Tampa. Quinn Mathews, one of the team’s top pitching prospects will get the start on Tuesday while St. Louis native Max Scherzer is scheduled to make his first start for Toronto.
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