Sept. 19—The St. Louis Cardinals are using the last few games of a disappointing season to gain a lead heading into next season.
Outfielder Jordan Walker was one of the players of special interest after he hit a three-run double to help the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5 on Wednesday night.
The Cardinals (77-75) will try to complete a four-game sweep in Thursday night’s series finale in St. Louis.
In five consecutive hitting games, Walker went 5 for 15 with 2 runs, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, and 6 RBI.
Walker spent most of the season at Class 3A Memphis after starting 9-for-58 at St. Louis. But he batted .271 in September and had an OPS of .897.
“That’s part of the confidence we talked about with Jordan, just continuing to accumulate some game-turning moments that he can learn from moving forward,” Cardinals head coach Oliver Marmor said.
“It’s a tough game, man, especially at this level when you’re trying to adjust to the highest level. Being able to do what he’s doing right now will help down the line.”
The Cardinals will start Thursday’s game with right-hander Eric Fedor (8-9, 3.45 ERA). Since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox via trade at the deadline, he is 1-5 with a 4.43 ERA in eight starts.
In the most recent game on Friday against the Toronto Raptors, Fedor allowed three runs on six hits in five innings as the Blue Jays won 4-3 in 11 innings. He struck out three and left, receiving a no-result pending.
Fedor has yet to play against the Buccaneers this season. He is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two career starts against them.
The Buccaneers (71-81) will try to turn the tables after losing five of their last six games.
“We’ll get a hit sometimes, or get a pitch,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said during the slump. “We need to find a way to hit the ball or get a pitch.”
The Pirates will start right-hander Luis Ortiz (6-6, 3.45 ERA) on Thursday. In an 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, he gave up seven runs (four earned) on five hits, including two homers, in four innings.
In his last two starts in August, Ortiz allowed only five hits in 12 scoreless innings. He struck out 10 and walked four.
Ortiz allowed 11 runs (7 ERA) in 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts in September.
Ortiz came off the bench against the Cardinals earlier this year, striking out three and allowing one run on three hits in two innings. He is 0-2 with a 14.63 ERA in four career games (three starts) against St. Louis.
Both teams made roster changes ahead of Wednesday’s game.
The Cardinals placed starting pitcher Lance Lynn on the injured list, out 15 days because of right knee inflammation, and recalled Michael McGreevy from Triple-A Memphis. McGreevy struck out four over three scoreless innings to earn Wednesday’s win.
The Pirates placed reliever Kyle Nichols on the injured list because of back problems. Additionally, infielder/outfielder O’Neil Cruz was out of the starting lineup again Wednesday because of ankle soreness.
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