Result: Astros 6, Cardinals 5
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Luken Baker learned in the minor leagues that there are some things, and decisions, that are out of his control.
One of those coming up soon is whether or not he will wind up on the Cardinals’ opening day roster. What Baker does know is that he is going to try to make that as tough a decision for the team’s management as possible – by controlling what he can control.
Baker hit his team-leading third home run of the spring on Wednesday and also drew a walk in three plate appearances. He is now hitting .294 for the spring.
The biggest problem for Baker is that he is limited to playing first base and serving as the designated hitter, his path to playing time, and perhaps a spot on the roster, blocked by several players.
Moving Willson Contreras to first added another player into the mix at those positions, along with Alec Burleson, who played first on Wednesday against the Astros in West Palm Beach while Baker served as the DH.
Burleson went 2-of-4 in the game, including a double, and scored a run.
The Astros earned a walk-off win with an unearned run in the ninth inning.
Here is how Wednesday’s game broke down:
High: After starting the spring 0-of-12, Ivan Herrera got his first two hits and drove in a run.
Low: Michael Siani, in a battle with Victor Scott II for the starting job in center field, was 0-of-3, dropping his spring average to .053.
At the plate: Both of Herrera’s hits were doubles, one driving in a run … Non-roster infielder Jose Barrero, also battling for one of the final spots on the bench, hit his second home run, a two-run shot … Top prospect J.J. Wetherholt drew a pair of walks and stole his second base of the spring … The team was just 1-of-11 with runners in scoring position.
On the mound: Sonny Gray made his first start of the spring and allowed four hits in 2 2/3 innings, three of which were solo home runs. Gray struck out three and did not walk a batter. He is in line to be the Cardinals starter on opening day March 27 … Chris Roycroft pitched around two hits to work a scoreless inning and JoJo Romero struck out the side in his one inning.
Worth noting: Imaging on Jordan Walker’s left knee did not show any structural damage, according to manager Oli Marmol. Walker will miss about a week because of inflammation but should still have enough time left in the spring to be ready for the start of the regular season. Walker had to come out of Tuesday’s game after stepping on a sprinkler head in the outfield while making a catch … Pitcher Max Rajcic was reassigned to the minor-league camp, leaving 57 players in the major-league camp.
Up next: The Cardinals will be back in Jupiter on Thursday to play the Nationals, with Erick Fedde scheduled to start on the mound.
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