Result: Cardinals 1, Astros 1 (tie)
Weather: 77 degrees, sunny
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – It was another tough day for the Cardinals’ offense on Thursday.
One day after they were held to two hits in a 2-0 shutout, they had only three hits in a tie against the Astros in West Palm Beach.
The Cardinals have scored a combined six runs in their last four games, five of them coming in one game. The three hits dropped their team average for the spring back below the .200 mark at .198.
Their only run came when Michael Siani walked, stole second and scored on a triple by Lars Nootbaar in the third inning.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
High: Kyle Leahy allowed one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings as he continues to fight for a spot in the bullpen.
Low: The Cardinals were 1-of-10 with runners in scoring position.
At the plate: The only other hits for the Cardinals were a triple by Ivan Herrera and a double by Matt Koperniak … Herrera was stranded at third when Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman were retired … Koperniak’s double and a throwing error put runners on second and third with one out in the ninth but they were stranded when R.J. Yeager and Cesar Prieto were retired … Masyn Winn was hitless in three at-bats and is now 3-of-35 this spring.
On the mound: Steven Matz pitched into the fifth inning, allowing the one Houston run. He has a 2.63 ERA for the spring … Two of the relievers battling for a spot in the bullpen, Chris Roycroft and Leahy, both pitched well. Roycroft worked around a single in his one inning and Leahy allowed one hit in his two innings. Neither pitcher has allowed a run this spring.
Maton signs: It took until the next-to-last week of spring training, but the Cardinals finally signed a free agent, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract Thursday with right-handed reliever Phil Maton, who appeared in 71 games last year for the Mets and Rays. “I’m excited about the addition,” said manager Oli Marmol. “When you look at where we are and what was needed, adding a righthanded arm for the bullpen made sense.” The Cardinals hope to have Maton throw a couple of live batting practice sessions and then get him into games the last week of the spring schedule so he will be ready for opening day. He said he has been pitching during his workouts in Arizona.
Worth noting: To make room for Maton on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals designated Bailey Horn for assignment, then traded him to Detroit for cash. Horn had been acquired from the Tigers in the off-season … In another roster move, Gordon Graceffo was optioned to Memphis and is expected to be part of the Triple A rotation when the regular season begins.
Up next: Quinn Mathews will get the start in the prospects Breakout game on Friday against the Marlins in Jupiter. The Cardinals will be back on the road to play the Mets in a night game at Port St. Lucie. Michael McGreevy is the scheduled starter.
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