Result: Cardinals 3, Mets 3 (tie)
Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – Michael McGreevy knows he is going to be a starting pitcher when the regular season begins – he just doesn’t know if it will be in the majors or in Triple A.
McGreevy tried to strengthen his case for remaining with the Cardinals on Friday night with a strong outing against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.
McGreevy worked four innings and allowed only one run, on a long home run by Juan Soto. He gave up two other hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four.
The outing lowered McGreevy’s ERA for the spring to 1.54.
McGreevy is one of six starters currently in their spring training rotation, but the Cardinals have not said how they will line up their starters once the regular season begins.
Here is how Friday night’s game broke down:
High: Yohel Pozo, a catcher added to the major-league camp just a few days ago, hit a two-run homer and also threw out a runner attempting to steal.
Low: John King allowed three hits and a run in his one inning of relief.
At the plate: Victor Scott II had two hits, including a bunt single, but also was thrown out trying to steal second … Nolan Gorman and Matt Koperniak also had two hits each, including a double, with Koperniak’s single driving in the other Cardinals’ run.
On the mound: Ryan Fernandez followed McGreevy to the mound and worked a 1-2-3 inning … Riley O’Brien made only his third appearance of the spring and first since Feb. 26, also working a scoreless inning as he pitched around a hit and a walk … Roddery Munoz pitched the last two innings, allowing an unearned run but striking out four.
Breakout stars: Top pitching prospect Quinn Mathews worked three scoreless innings as the Cardinals prospects played to a 3-3 tie against the Marlins. Mathews struggled with his control, walking three, but also had three strikeouts … Cooper Hjerpe worked two scoreless innings with four strikeouts … Nathan Church threw out a runner at the plate from center field, on the fly, and Jimmy Crooks cut down a runner trying to steal second … Yairo Padilla, a 17-year-old shortstop who played in the rookie Dominican Summer League last year, drove in a run with a groundout.
Worth noting: Jordan Walker, who has missed the last nine games because of inflammation in his left knee, is expected to be back in the lineup on Saturday … Sonny Gray is getting an extra day of rest with his next start pushed back to Sunday.
Up next: Andre Pallante will get the start on Saturday in the game against the Blue Jays in Jupiter.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains
