By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | June 2, 2016, 3:57 pm CT
Although the Cardinals were unable to complete the sweep at Miller Park on Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the Brewers, they did get another impressive performance from their best hitter this year: the pinch-hitter.
While his pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning did little to change the outcome of the game except for preventing a shutout by Brewers pitchers, Brandon Moss did tally the Cardinals’ tenth pinch-hit home run of 2016, tying the franchise record (established in 1998) just 54 games into the season.
“It’s pretty cool,” Moss told MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch after the game. “Obviously, you’d like the one today to do something more than make it a two-run game. But at the same time, it’s a testament to the fact that (manager) Mike (Matheny) keeps us really fresh. He mixes us in the lineup a lot so that we don’t really lose our timing and we don’t really lose our feel.”
Moss (3 pinch-hit HR) is one of five players to combine for those ten home runs off the bench, along with Jeremy Hazelbaker (3), Matt Adams (2), Aledmys Diaz (1) and Greg Garcia (1).
The Major League record for pinch-hit home runs by a team in a single season is 14, set by the 2001 Diamondbacks and 2001 Giants.
REYES IMPRESSES AGAIN
Cardinals top pitching prospect Alex Reyes, in his third start back from a marijuana suspension, impressed again in his Wednesday night start with AAA Memphis, striking out 11 while surrendering just two hits in six innings in a 3-2 victory.
After surrendering a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, Reyes posted three 1-2-3 innings in the next five frames, including striking out the side in the second and fourth.
The 21-year-old now has 26 strikeouts in 15 innings in his three starts with Memphis, and could very well be in line for a promotion to the majors at some point in the next few months.
MORE NEWS, NOTES & READS
Hefner dealt another setback… After rehabbing from two Tommy John surgeries before latching on with the Cardinals’ AAA affiliate this season, right-hander Jeremy Hefner is expected to be sidelined until at least August due to right shoulder inflammation. MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch has the story: Cards’ Hefner dealt another grueling setback | MLB.com
Wrong jersey… Trevor Rosenthal sported the wrong jersey on Wednesday, with cameras capturing the Cardinals closer wearing the camouflage uniform the club sported on Memorial Day. Andrew Joseph has the story/video at For the Win: Cardinals pitcher Trevor Rosenthal has no idea he’s wearing the wrong jersey | For the Win
A win-win trade for players… Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes how the offseason trade between the Cardinals and Padres has been win-win for infielder Jedd Gyorko and long-time redbirds outfielder Jon Jay, who’s performing well in regular playing time with San Diego: BenFred: Trade worked out for Gyorko, Jay | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Holliday ties Edmonds… With his single in the fourth inning on Wednesday, Matt Holliday has 1,949 in his career, tying him with Cardinals Hall of Fame outfielder Jim Edmonds. (Mark Tomasik on Twitter)
Wainwright ‘not ready to be done yet’… After an extremely rocky start to the season, Adam Wainwright has slowly begun to turn the corner for the Cardinals in recent weeks. ESPN.com’s Mark Saxon examines his season and the progress the veteran right-hander has made recently, along with what Wainwright thinks about his season thus far: Adam Wainwright: ‘I’m not ready to be done yet’ | ESPN.com
Martinez back on track?… Joe Schwarz of Viva El Birdos writes that Carlos Martinez righted the ship in his last start on Monday against Milwaukee: Carlos Martinez back on track after start after start against Brewers | Viva El Birdos
More from STL Baseball Today:
Aside from Molina, NL All-Star balloting not kind to Cards thus far
Report: Cardinals ‘unlikely’ to receive any hacking punishment before June draft
Cardinals release infielder Ruben Tejada
Mozeliak: Diaz to remain Cardinals’ primary shortstop when Peralta returns
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