Result: Cardinals 7, Nationals 1
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – The Cardinals have several options to be their leadoff hitter this season, including Lars Nootbaar, who has filled that spot in their last two games.
All he has done in those games is reach base five times, drawing three walks to go with a pair of singles in Wednesday’s win over the Nationals.
Nootbaar scored a pair of runs as the Cardinals scored at least once in the first five innings. The two hits raised Nootbaar’s spring average to .306.
He has drawn 14 walks in 50 plate appearances.
“He controls the strike better than probably most of the league,” said manager Oli Marmol. “He’s able to draw walks and get on that way.”
Nootbaar said he enjoys hitting in that spot but doesn’t change his approach when he finds himself at the top of the batting order.
“It doesn’t really matter where I’m hitting,” Nootbaar said. “Wherever Oli wants to put me is fine. I think this spring I’m catching a benefit with the whole challenge system, but wherever Oli puts me I’m fully comfortable there.”
Here is how Wednesday’s game broke down:
High: Victor Scott II hit his third home run of the spring and is now hitting .359. “He’s had an unbelievable camp,” Marmol said.
Low: Despite an RBI single, Nolan Arenado is still hitting below .200 for the spring (.184).
At the plate: Alec Burleson also hit his third homer of the spring but he also struck out with the bases loaded … The Cardinals got an RBI out of seven different spots in the lineup with only Nootbaar and Jose Fermin, hitting eighth, failing to drove in a run and Fermin also scored a run.
On the mound: Steven Matz worked six innings, allowing one run while scattering four hits with one walk and two strikeouts. He was ahead of the hitter against the first 11 batters he faced and the only run he allowed came on a wild pitch. He lowered his ERA to 2.29 … Ryan Helsley pitched around a two-out double in a scoreless seventh.
Worth noting: With Winn getting at-bats on a back field, Fermin started at shortstop. In the last three games he has started at third base, left field and shortstop. He started at second earlier in the week … Winn is dealing with soreness in his right wrist but Marmol said he hopes he will be able to play in the field on Friday … Andre Pallante and Phil Maton both pitched in a back field game.
Up next: The Cardinals will have the day off on Thursday and then play split-squad games on Friday against the Astros in Jupiter and against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Sonny Gray and Michael McGreevy are the scheduled starters. The final spring game will be on Sunday.
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