DeJong shines in Cardinals’ first intrasquad game of summer camp
ST. LOUIS — Paul DeJong stole the show as the Cardinals held their first intrasquad game since returning from the COVID-19 shutdown on Thursday evening.
While some major league clubs have utilized a mix of veterans and top prospects during their early intrasquad games, the Cards went heavy on established major leaguers during Thursday night’s matchup at Busch Stadium, with nearly every position player expected to make the Opening Day roster participating. The two notable exceptions were catcher Matt Wieters and infielder/outfielder Brad Miller, who were held out despite being healthy.
This is a pic of an actual game at Busch stadium. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/zUr8i7SW9c
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnFox) July 9, 2020
DeJong went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, homering for the only extra-base hit of the four-inning game.
He got things started for the home squad with a two-run single off Dakota Hudson in the first:
‼️ #STLCards runners have crossed home plate at Busch Stadium for the first time in 2020 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/37QPf7ieEH
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 9, 2020
Then in the fourth inning, DeJong hit a 372-foot two-run homer off reliever Andrew Miller:
3⃣7⃣2⃣ ? courtesy of @RealPaulDeJong #STLCards pic.twitter.com/7ky2Fnb5Xt
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 10, 2020
Hudson and Jack Flaherty were the starting pitchers, throwing three innings each. Hudson allowed two runs — both on DeJong’s first-inning single — on three hits and a walk, while Flaherty allowed one run on two hits and two walks. The road team’s lone run came courtesy of a bases-loaded fielder’s choice by Tommy Edman.
Daniel Ponce de Leon followed Flaherty with a scoreless inning of relief, recording a strikeout while allowing a hit and a walk. Miller struck out one while allowing three hits, including DeJong’s two-run blast, in the fourth.
Reigning Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong impressed again with his defense:
Ok, not going to do play by play, but let me just say Kolten Wong started a 4-6-3 charging five steps to his left and throwing back spinning across his body, and baseball is fun.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 9, 2020
The 4-6-3 offices of Wong and DeJong are open for business. pic.twitter.com/Q08a8jDyWL
— Brenden Schaeffer (@bschaeffer12) July 9, 2020
The Cardinals plan to conduct intrasquad games again on Saturday and Sunday, with Carlos Martínez expected to make a start:
#stlcards expecting to play intrasquads on Saturday and Sunday. Carlos Martínez set to start for one of the teams on Saturday.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) July 10, 2020
