Results: Cardinals 6, Mets 1
Cardinals 6, Nationals 4
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Teammates in high school a few years ago, Andre Pallante and Michael McGreevy are both pitching as if they want to be together again this year – this time in the Cardinals rotation.
Pallante, who was a senior at San Clemente High School in southern California when McGreevy was a sophomore, got the start against the Mets on Tuesday and McGreevy started in the other split-squad game against the Nationals in West Palm Beach.
Each turned in mirror images of each other – three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit with no walks. The only difference in their pitching lines was that Pallante had two strikeouts to one for McGreevy.
“It’s pretty cool, it’s good to see him have success,” Pallante said. “I know he threw well today too. I think we are going to go golfing together tomorrow. It’s nice having him on my team.”
McGreevy, trying to force his way into a rotation that already includes Pallante, has worked five scoreless innings in his two starts this spring.
McGreevy mainly played shortstop when he was Pallante’s high school teammate before he was asked to fill a rotation spot because of an injury.
“I paved the way for him,” Pallante joked, “showed him how it was done. I’m not the athletic one of the two of us for sure. I’m worse than him in every aspect outside of the fact that I can throw a little bit harder.”
Here is how Tuesday’s games broke down:
High: Matthew Liberatore is another pitcher who is having a big spring. He worked three more scoreless innings against the Nationals and has not allowed a hit in seven innings this spring.
Low: Jordan Walker had to come out of the game against the Nationals in the third inning because of discomfort in his left knee.
At the plate: Victor Scott II stayed hot, getting a double and a bunt single and adding his fourth steal of the spring in the game in Jupiter. He is now hitting .583 … Masyn Winn got his first hit of the spring after starting out 0-of-17 … Ivan Herrera struck out twice and is 0-of-14 … Thomas Saggese and Matt Koperniak each hit their first homer of the spring.
On the mound: McGreevy has retired 15 of the 16 hitters he has faced this spring … Liberatore finally allowed his first baserunner, on a walk, but has retired 21 of the 22 hitters he has faced … Ryan Fernandez worked another scoreless inning, his fourth of the spring, while Ryan Helsley was able to pitch around a single … Nick Anderson, bidding for a spot in the bullpen, allowed four runs on three hits and two walks, only retiring one batter, in the game against the Nationals.
Worth noting: Walker appeared to injure his knee on an odd step while making a catch in the outfield. He was not available to the media after the game and more is expected to be known about his status on Wednesday … Michael Siani continues to struggle, going 0-of-3, and is now hitting .067 this spring … Minor-leaguer Yordalin Pena homered in the ninth inning against the Nationals to break a 4-4 tie.
Up next: Sonny Gray, who pitched a simulated game on a back field last week, will get the start on Wednesday against the Astros in West Palm Beach.
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