Nunez fills in for Eck
TORONTO -- Even with a left-handed pitcher on the mound for the other guys, it was time for David Eckstein to get a break. The Cardinals shortstop was held out of the lineup for the second time since May 7 on Wednesday night against the Blue Jays.
Taking Eckstein's spot on defense was Abraham Nunez, a switch-hitter who is much more effective from the left side. Taking over for him in the leadoff position was second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. Strangely, the righty-swinging Eckstein has had more success against right-handed pitching than against southpaws this year.
Nunez has actually held his own against lefties in 2005, though he had just 16 at-bats against them before Wednesday. The bigger issue than platoon matchups, though, was simply the desire to get Eckstein two days off in a row -- with an off-day looming Thursday. Nunez is the backup shortstop, so he played.
"Somebody's got to play there," La Russa said, with no disrespect intended to Nunez.
Indeed, the former Pirate has been a find for the Cardinals all year, hitting .278 with a .350 on-base percentage and four home runs before Wednesday night. He already has walked more times in 2005 than he did in 2004, despite having 56 fewer at-bats -- and he's cut his strikeout rate dramatically. All this while playing capably at three positions in the infield.
"You take him for what he is, and what he is for us has been a good player," La Russa said.
Edmonds still out: Jim Edmonds has made little progress in his recovery from a left rib contusion, and the injury kept him out of the lineup for a third straight day on Wednesday. Edmonds was wearing a large wrap on his midsection in the clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon.
"It's not doing too good," he said.
La Russa indicated that a Friday return might be a bit optimistic for the seven-time Gold Glover. The Cardinals have an off-day Thursday, and Edmonds had hoped that the series opener against the Devil Rays was a reasonable target for getting back on the field.
"He didn't give me anything that was too promising," La Russa said before the game.
Minor moves: Two days after pitching one of his best games of the year, Cardinals prospect Anthony Reyes is going on the disabled list. The right-hander, considered the No. 1 prospect in the organization, has been shelved by Triple-A Memphis due to tendinitis in his right shoulder. Cody McKay will be activated from the disabled list.
In other Memphis news, the Redbirds will be adding a reliever. Left-hander Gabe White, who was designated for assignment when Cal Eldred was activated, has cleared waivers. White will be outrighted to Memphis.
Minor honor: Kevin Ool, a left-hander for Class A Quad Cities, was named the Topps Player of the Month for May in the Midwest League. Ool was one of the players acquired for Mike Myers in the Spring Training trade that sent Myers to Boston. Ool made 13 appearances in May, going 6-0 with two saves and an ERA of 2.76. He is 9-1 with a 1.87 ERA on the season.
Famous friends: La Russa and first base coach Dave McKay got a look at the filming of the upcoming Bruce Willis movie, "16 Blocks," on Wednesday. The film is being shot in Toronto, and it's being directed by Richard Donner, who also helmed "Superman II," "The Goonies" and "Lethal Weapon." One of the producers of the movie is a friend of McKay's and arranged for the tour.
Bits and pieces: Einar Diaz made not only his first start on Wednesday, but his first game appearance at all, since June 2. Yadier Molina had played every inning of the previous 11 games. ... Scott Rolen is still expected to join the Cardinals in St. Petersburg on Friday, but it's unclear when he will be able to play. It is not likely to be during the weekend series. ... Wednesday night's game was the first time in the three-game series that the roof at the Rogers Centre was open, although a light drizzle saw it close after three innings.
Today in Busch history: June 15 tended to be a Bob Gibson kind of day. On June 15, 1968, Gibson was absolutely dominant in a 2-0 win over the Reds, going the distance with four hits and no walks allowed and 13 strikeouts. On June 15, 1966, he outclassed the Pirates, pitching the complete-game shutout in a 1-0 win. Gibson allowed three hits and two walks, striking out eight in that game.
Baby 'Birds: Bill Pulsipher was touched for six runs in six innings in Memphis' 6-2 loss to Round Rock on Tuesday. Chris Duncan singled, doubled and walked. ... Double-A Springfield jumped out early against Arkansas and went on to win, 11-4. Tyler Minges, Juan Diaz and Andy Schutzenhofer all hit home runs in support of Randy Leek. ... Class A Palm Beach continued to struggle, losing 4-1 to Brevard County despite another fine outing from Eric Haberer. Palm Beach has lost six straight and eight out of nine. Haberer went seven-plus innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. ... Rick Ankiel's return to the field was not enough for Quad Cities in a 6-1 loss to Peoria. Ankiel hit a solo homer as the Swing's right fielder, coming back after missing several days with hamstring troubles.
Minges is the player of the day for his big game against Arkansas. The Springfield outfielder singled, tripled and homered, drove in three runs and scored twice. The home run was his 11th of the season, which is tied for third in the Texas League. Minges ranks second in the league with 19 doubles, first with 53 runs scored and second in slugging percentage, with .563.
Coming up: The Cardinals are off on Thursday before returning to their old Spring Training stomping grounds. Friday night brings a 6:15 p.m. CT start against the Devil Rays, with Mark Mulder taking the mound at Tropicana Field.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
Taking Eckstein's spot on defense was Abraham Nunez, a switch-hitter who is much more effective from the left side. Taking over for him in the leadoff position was second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. Strangely, the righty-swinging Eckstein has had more success against right-handed pitching than against southpaws this year.
Nunez has actually held his own against lefties in 2005, though he had just 16 at-bats against them before Wednesday. The bigger issue than platoon matchups, though, was simply the desire to get Eckstein two days off in a row -- with an off-day looming Thursday. Nunez is the backup shortstop, so he played.
"Somebody's got to play there," La Russa said, with no disrespect intended to Nunez.
Indeed, the former Pirate has been a find for the Cardinals all year, hitting .278 with a .350 on-base percentage and four home runs before Wednesday night. He already has walked more times in 2005 than he did in 2004, despite having 56 fewer at-bats -- and he's cut his strikeout rate dramatically. All this while playing capably at three positions in the infield.
"You take him for what he is, and what he is for us has been a good player," La Russa said.
Edmonds still out: Jim Edmonds has made little progress in his recovery from a left rib contusion, and the injury kept him out of the lineup for a third straight day on Wednesday. Edmonds was wearing a large wrap on his midsection in the clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon.
"It's not doing too good," he said.
La Russa indicated that a Friday return might be a bit optimistic for the seven-time Gold Glover. The Cardinals have an off-day Thursday, and Edmonds had hoped that the series opener against the Devil Rays was a reasonable target for getting back on the field.
"He didn't give me anything that was too promising," La Russa said before the game.
Minor moves: Two days after pitching one of his best games of the year, Cardinals prospect Anthony Reyes is going on the disabled list. The right-hander, considered the No. 1 prospect in the organization, has been shelved by Triple-A Memphis due to tendinitis in his right shoulder. Cody McKay will be activated from the disabled list.
In other Memphis news, the Redbirds will be adding a reliever. Left-hander Gabe White, who was designated for assignment when Cal Eldred was activated, has cleared waivers. White will be outrighted to Memphis.
Minor honor: Kevin Ool, a left-hander for Class A Quad Cities, was named the Topps Player of the Month for May in the Midwest League. Ool was one of the players acquired for Mike Myers in the Spring Training trade that sent Myers to Boston. Ool made 13 appearances in May, going 6-0 with two saves and an ERA of 2.76. He is 9-1 with a 1.87 ERA on the season.
Famous friends: La Russa and first base coach Dave McKay got a look at the filming of the upcoming Bruce Willis movie, "16 Blocks," on Wednesday. The film is being shot in Toronto, and it's being directed by Richard Donner, who also helmed "Superman II," "The Goonies" and "Lethal Weapon." One of the producers of the movie is a friend of McKay's and arranged for the tour.
Bits and pieces: Einar Diaz made not only his first start on Wednesday, but his first game appearance at all, since June 2. Yadier Molina had played every inning of the previous 11 games. ... Scott Rolen is still expected to join the Cardinals in St. Petersburg on Friday, but it's unclear when he will be able to play. It is not likely to be during the weekend series. ... Wednesday night's game was the first time in the three-game series that the roof at the Rogers Centre was open, although a light drizzle saw it close after three innings.
Today in Busch history: June 15 tended to be a Bob Gibson kind of day. On June 15, 1968, Gibson was absolutely dominant in a 2-0 win over the Reds, going the distance with four hits and no walks allowed and 13 strikeouts. On June 15, 1966, he outclassed the Pirates, pitching the complete-game shutout in a 1-0 win. Gibson allowed three hits and two walks, striking out eight in that game.
Baby 'Birds: Bill Pulsipher was touched for six runs in six innings in Memphis' 6-2 loss to Round Rock on Tuesday. Chris Duncan singled, doubled and walked. ... Double-A Springfield jumped out early against Arkansas and went on to win, 11-4. Tyler Minges, Juan Diaz and Andy Schutzenhofer all hit home runs in support of Randy Leek. ... Class A Palm Beach continued to struggle, losing 4-1 to Brevard County despite another fine outing from Eric Haberer. Palm Beach has lost six straight and eight out of nine. Haberer went seven-plus innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. ... Rick Ankiel's return to the field was not enough for Quad Cities in a 6-1 loss to Peoria. Ankiel hit a solo homer as the Swing's right fielder, coming back after missing several days with hamstring troubles.
Minges is the player of the day for his big game against Arkansas. The Springfield outfielder singled, tripled and homered, drove in three runs and scored twice. The home run was his 11th of the season, which is tied for third in the Texas League. Minges ranks second in the league with 19 doubles, first with 53 runs scored and second in slugging percentage, with .563.
Coming up: The Cardinals are off on Thursday before returning to their old Spring Training stomping grounds. Friday night brings a 6:15 p.m. CT start against the Devil Rays, with Mark Mulder taking the mound at Tropicana Field.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
