Young hitters impress as rain shortens Cardinals’ intrasquad finale

ST. LOUIS — While the Cardinals‘ pitchers have looked to be ahead of the hitters for most of summer camp, the offense began to show some signs of life Tuesday as the team played its final intrasquad game of the summer.

The game was twice delayed by rain: First with a 37-minute delay following the first inning, then again after the top of the fourth, which quickly resulted in the game being called. With the second inning being skipped, the two sides ultimately played 2 1/2 innings, but that was enough time for the offense to make strides.

The visiting side, which beat the more experienced home squad 2-1, was particularly impressive, picking up six singles — one each from Max Schrock, Austin Dean, Matt Wieters, Lane Thomas, Edmundo Sosa and John Nogowski. Schrock’s two-run single off Dakota Hudson made the difference for the road team.

The home team, which featured a lineup that could very well be the same one the Cards use on Opening Day, finished with three singles — one each from Kolten Wong, Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader — over two frames. Matt Carpenter drove in the team’s lone run with a sacrifice fly in the first.

Hudson was inconsistent in his final tune-up before the regular season, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks while recording six outs, including three strikeouts. Both of those runs were allowed after he returned from the rain delay, however, so the conditions weren’t necessarily favorable for the 25-year-old starter. Following the game, Hudson told members of the media that he threw two simulated innings inside to get his work in after the rain interrupted his start.

Reliever Junior Fernandez, who pitched the first inning for the visiting team, also struggled over 2/3 of an inning, allowing a run on a hit and two walks. Ryan Helsley followed Fernandez and gave up two hits in a scoreless second inning.

Fernandez’s rough outing continued a frustrating summer for the 23-year-old flamethrower.

Junior Fernandez has loaded the bases on two walks and a hit after having walked seven in his last two appearances.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 21, 2020

Rangel Ravelo, who began his professional career at the hot corner but has played just seven minor league games at third base since 2013, is getting reps at his original position this summer in a bid to become more versatile. The 28-year-old impressed at third on Tuesday.

Ravelo has made two nice plays at third this inning. One he got Molina after a little snare to his left, spin and throw.

O’Neill runs a little faster than Yadi, so Rangel wasn’t able to get the out on the second play.

— Brenden Schaeffer (@bschaeffer12) July 21, 2020

The Cardinals will play their lone exhibition game of summer camp on Wednesday as the Kansas City Royals visit Busch Stadium for a 3:05 p.m. tilt. Starters Miles Mikolas and Carlos Martínez are set for extended outings, and manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that new closer Kwang Hyun Kim could also get an opportunity to pitch out of the bullpen after working as a starter throughout camp.

#stlcards are planning/hoping to use Mikolas for 5 and Martínez for 4 innings tomorrow. Might take an opportunity to get Kim an inning in relief after he was limited to a bullpen by the rain tonight.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 22, 2020

Wednesday’s game will mark the return of former Cardinals skipper and new Royals manager Mike Matheny to St. Louis. Shildt, who served in a variety of roles on Matheny’s staff, said he’s grateful for the opportunity that Matheny gave him and that “it will be good to welcome Mike back to the ballpark.”