Walkers news: August 2 -- St. Louis 3, Quad City 2, 10 innings
 

Record: 55-55, 3rd, 5.5 GB Des Moines
Christian Arroyo singled with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to score Bo Bichette and give St. Louis a 3-2 win over Quad City at Busch Stadium (1997).
Bichette opened the inning with a lead-off walk from Thunder closer Nick Goody.
A bunt from Alek Thomas advanced Bichette to second.
Alan Dondero's single moved Bichette to third.
And after a pitching change to P.J. Conlon, Arroyo dropped a single into right field to score Bichette with the game-winning run.
Down 1-0, the River Walkers grabbed the lead in the seventh when Romy Gonzalez connected on a two-run single off reliever Daniel Ritcheson.
The Thunder forced extra innings after it tied it in the eighth on a Duke Kinamon homer off reliever Kenley Jansen.
Walkers starting pitcher Argenis Batista had to exit after suffering a bruised shin after being hit by a pitch from Quad City starter Evan Steele.
While he is not expected to miss much time, it is uncertain if Batista will be able to make his next start.
A strong effort from the Walkers' bullpen finished it off.
Jake Brentz worked 2.2 innings.
He was followed by Phil Maton (1.1 IP), Kenley Jansen (2.0) and Edwin Diaz (1.0).
Diaz (3-2) came out of it with the win.

Walkers news: August 3 -- Quad City 9, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 55-56, 3rd, 6.5 GB Des Moines
Down 1-0, Quad City scored three times in the top of the second and went on to a 9-2 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
A one-out error by shortstop Christian Arroyo which allowed Orlando Arcia to reach base got things rolling for the Thunder.
Three straight singles followed off River Walkers starter Aaron Nola, the third from pitcher Izzy San Juan scored Arcia.
Duke Kinamon followed with yet another single, plating Adam Haseley with the second run.
Will Shriah made it 3-0 whenhe scored on an Andrew Bethea fielder's choice.
St. Louis got that run back in the bottom of the second, but Quad City plated a single run in the third Shirah with a single off Nola that brought home Arica with his second run of the game.
The Thunder's lead grew to 5-2 in the fourth after Bethea tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Quad City broke the game open by scoring twice against Walkers relievers in the seventh and eighth.
Pinch-hitter Carter Kieboom had a two-run single off John Curtiss in the seventh.
The eighth featured a Thomas Dillard two-run homer, also off Curtiss.
On the mound, San Juan worked four innings giving up two runs on seven hits.
Chris Flexen and Justus Sheffield both pitched an inning apeice.
Flexen (1-0) came out of it with the win.

Davison Gonzalez handled the final three, earning him his first save of the season.

Walkers news: August 4 -- St. Louis 11, Quad City 2
 

Record: 56-56, 3rd, 6.5 GB Des Moines
Bo Bichette and Jean Carmona both homered twice and St. Louis rolled to an 11-2 win over Quad City at Busch Stadium (1997).
The win gave the River Walkers two wins in their three-game series against the Thunder.
St. Louis took control early with five runs in the first inning.
Bichette did much of the damage with a grand slam off Q-C starter Adam Haseley.
The next hitter, Carmona, followed with his first homer of the game.
The Walkers lead grew to 8-1 in the fourth inning, Bichette contributed his second homer of the game.
This one a two-run job again off reliever Chris Flexen.
Carmona followed with a single and scored on a Jared Thomas double.
Carmona's second homer of the game came in the sixth, his two-run blast off Daniel Ritcheson put the Walkers ahead 11-2.
With the team's bullpen running on fumes, Alex Faedo worked an important eight innings allowing two runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked two.
Jason Jester took care of the ninth inning.

MBL news: Week 18 -- Awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 18 -- Awards and standings

Walkers news: August 5 -- Des Moines 3, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 56-57, 3rd, 7.5 GB Des Moines
Down 2-1, Des Moines scored twice in the top of the ninth inning off St. Louis closer Edwin Diaz to rally for a 3-2 win at Busch Stadium (1997).
Andrew Foley led off the ninth with a single off Diaz, who then retired the next two batters but could not finish the job.
Carlos David Rodriguez singled to score Kelly and moved to second on the throw to the plate.

Pinch-hitter Jackson Miller quickly broke the tie with a single to score Rodriguez.

The blown save was the seventh of the season for Diaz (3-3).
Harvesters starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel worked six innings, allowing two runs on six hits.

Quinn Priester handled the seventh and eighth innings without issue, and would earn the win.
Yonny Chirnos set the side down in order in the ninth for his first save.

Walkers news: August 6 -- Des Moines 7, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 56-58, 3rd (Tied/w. Springfield), 8.5 GB Des Moines
Tied 2-2, Des Moines broke the tie with a run in the top of the fourth and broke it open with a four-run seventh as the Harvesters downed St. Louis 7-2 at Busch Stadium (1997).
A two-run double from the River Walkers' Bo Bichette off Harvester starting pitcher Yeo-san Park in the bottom of the third had tied it at 2-2.
Des Moines took the lead in the fourth against St. Louis starter Jimmy Lambert.
Austin Meadows drew a lead-off walk, but was replaced on the bases after Carlos David Rodriguez hit into a fielder's choice.
A Jackson Miller doubled planted Rodriguez at third and he scored when Nicky Lopez grounded out.
The Harvesters broke it open in the seventh.
Lambert was still on the mound when Nicky Lopez doubled with one out.
He retired the next batter, Grant Witherspoon, for the second out but could not close out the inning.
Thairo Estrada made it 4-2 with a single.
Rafael Devers followed with a three-run homer off Sean Doolittle, who had just entered the game, pushing the advantage to 7-2.
Park (10-5) earned his 10th win of the season by allowing two runs on three hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked three.
Jon Olsen handled the next two innings.
The ninth belonged to Ronny Cavrajal, who struck out two of the batters he faced.

Walkers news: July 7 -- Des Moines 8, St. Louis 6, 1 innings
 

Record: 56-59, 4th, 9.5 GB Des Moines
Carlos David Rodriguez hit a two-run homer off Kenley Jansen in the 13th inning to lift Des Moines to an 8-6 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
Austin Meadows led off the 13th with a single.
A bunt moved Meadows to second, and Rodriguez followed by hitting 1-1 pitch 363 feet over the left-field wall to snap the 6-6 tie.
At one point, the Harvesters led 6-1 only to have the River Walkers storm back.
Des Moines' big outburst had come in the sixth, when it scored four runs.
Meadows had an RBI single while Carson Kelly and Logan Marmoth had drove in runs with double -- all off Walkers starting pitcher Argenis Batista.
Much of St. Louis' comeback came in the sixth, when Andrew Benintendi spanked a three-run homer off Harvesters relief pitcher Ronny Carvajal.
An RBI single from Jean Carmona, off reliever Leo Vazquez, in the eighth inning drew the Walkers to within 6-5.
They tied it in the bottom of the ninth when Jared Thomas led off with a homer off Bryan Garcia.
Des Moines' starter Sixto Sanchez lasted five innings, giving up one run on four hits.
Seven relievers followed him to the mound -- Carvajal (0.0 IP), Yelin Rodriguez (1.0), Quinn Priester (1.0), Vazquez (1.0), Garcia (1.0), Yonny Chirinos (3.2) and Jon Olsen (0.1) -- with Chirinos (2-1) earning the win and Olsen his second save.

Walkers news: August 8 -- St. Louis 4, Des Moines 3, 10 innings
 

Record: 57-59,4th, 8.5 GB Des Moines
Dahiandy Johnson homered with two outs in the 10th inning off Des Moines reliever Quinn Priester to give St. Louis a 4-3 win at Busch Stadium (1997).
The victory allowed the River Walkers to salvage the finale of their four-game series against the Harvesters after dropping the first three.
St. Louis took a 3-1 lead into the ninth only to have Des Moines rally.
With the bullpen run ragged, John Curtiss was asked to close the game.
He retired the first two batters before allowing a two-out double to Austin Meadows.
Carlos David Martinez followed with a two-run homer to tie it.
Walkers starting pitcher Aaron Nola worked 7.2 innings, giving up one run on six hits. He struck out nine and walked none.
Caleb Ferguson finished off the eighth inning.
Curtiss handled 1.2 innings, but did end up allowing the Harvesters to tie it.
Jake Brentz (3-6) got just one out, but earned the win.

Walkers news: August 9 -- Toledo 5, St. Louis 4
 

Record: 57-60, 4th, 9.5 GB Des Moines
It seems when the St. Louis River Walkers turn to reliever Edwin Diaz lately, bad things tend to happen.
Alan Dondero hit a two-run homer off Toledo reliever Jimmy Herget in the top of the ninth to tie the game.
With the rest of their relievers either used or unavailable, St. Louis turned to the highly paid Diaz in the bottom of the ninth.
He retired the first two batters, before allowing a two-out double to Cole Hinkelman.
Josh Bell followed with a single past shortstop Jean Carmona, bringing him Hinkelman with the winning run.
The loss dropped Diaz to 3-4, along with his 5.79 ERA, to go with seven blown saves.
Mud Hens starting pitcher Cole Duensing worked five innings, giving up one run on five hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
Chaz Roe pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

William Jerez and Sandy Alcantara combined to work the seventh, when St. Louis got a solo homer from Bo Bichertte (off Jerez) to pull within 4-3.

Ian Hamilton pitched a perfect eighth.
Herget (1-5) surrendered Dondero's homer in the ninth but still came away with his first win of the season.

Walkers news: August 10 -- Toledo 3, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 57-61, 4th, 9.5 GB Des Moines
Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer off St. Louis starting pitcher Steven Brault in the bottom of the second inning to give Toledo a 2-0 lead, and the Mud Hens held on from there posting a 3-2 win at Braves Field (1946).
A lead-off homer in the fourth from Alan Dondero off Mud Hens' starter Kyle Bradish made it 2-1.
Toledo got that run back in the fourth after Matt Bryant drew a one-out walk from Brault.
A wild pick off from Brault moved Bryant to second and he scored when Cal Raleigh connected on a double.
The River Walkers made it -2 in the sixth after Dondero led off with a single off reliever Felipe Vazquez and moved to second when Alek Thomas followed with a walk.
A wild pitch by new reliever Ian Hamilton put runners at second and third with no outs.
Bo Bichette struck out for the first out.
Andrew Benintendi connected on a sacrifice fly, scoring Dondero.
Hamilton then got Romy Gonzalez to end the inning.
St. Louis botched a chance to tie it in the ninth, loading the bases with no outs.
Sandy Alcantera got Jared Thomas to hit a fly ball to left field.
Nick Poirier tried to score and was thrown out at the plate by Harrison Bader.
Dondero then hit into fielder's choice to end it.
Mud Hens starting pitcher Josh Tomlin lasted just 2.1 innings before exiting with a forearm issue.
Six relievers combined to handle the rest of the game.
Kyle Bradish (2.0 IP) was the first of the bunch.
He was followed by Vazquez (0.2), Ian Hamilton (1.0), Williams Jerez (1.0), Chaz Roe (1.0) and Alcantera (1.0).
Bradish (3-2) earned the win. Alcantera collected his third save.

Walkers news: August 11 -- Toledo 7, St. Louis 5
 

Record: 57-62, 4th, 10.5 GB Des Moines
Tied 1-1, Toledo scored three runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth to propel it to a 7-5 win and a three-game sweep of St. Louis at Braves Field (1946).
Bobby Dalbec ignited the Mud Hen's big third inning, leading off with a single off River Walkers starter Jimmy Lambert.
A David Peterson bunt moved Dalbec to second, Peterson also was safe at first, and he crossed the plate when Ronny Mauricio doubled.
Peterson scored on a Matt Bryant ground out.
Lambert then hit Shea Langliers with a pitch, loading the bases.
Mauricio scored on a Cole Hinkelman ground out.
One swing of the bat plated both of Toledo's runs in the fourth, Mauricio connecting on a two-run homer off Lambert to make it 6-1.
St. Louis started to close the gap in the eighth with a pair of runs.
Toledo got one of them back in the eighth, Dalbec drawing a lead-off walk from reliever Phil Maton.
A sacrifice bunt moved Dalbec to second and he scored on a Matt Bryant sacrifice fly on a pitch thrown by Sean Doolittle.
Dahiandy Johnson hit a two-run homer off reliever Sandy Alcantera in the ninth, making it 7-5.
But the Walkers would get no closer.
Peterson (2-1) worked six innings, giving up one run on four hits. He struck out five and walked one.
Felipe Vazquez and Ian Hamilton both worked an inning apiece to get it to the ninth.
Alcantera got the first two outs of the ninth. Williams Jerez notched the third for his third save.

MBL news: Week 19 -- Awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 19 -- Awards and standings

Walkers news: August 13 -- St. Louis 7, Indianapolis 2
 

Record: 58-62, 4th, 9 GB Des Moines
Tied 1-1, St. Louis scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and went on for a 7-2 win over Indianapolis at Busch Stadium (1997).
Romy Gonzalez got things going with a lead-off walk from Racers starting pitcher Julio Urias in the bottom of the third.
A double from Jean Carmona chased Gonzalez to third, and he scored on a Rhys Hoskins single.
Carmona later scored on a wild pitch. Alan Dondero made it 4-1 with an RBI single.
A solo homer from Andrew Benintendi off Tanner Burns in the seventh and a two-run shot from Dondero off Jeanmar Gomez in the eighth gave the River Walkers their seven runs.
Bautista (6-7) lasted for 7.1 strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out 11 and walked one.
Nick Lodolo completed the eighth inning.
Kenley Jansen handled the ninth.

Walkers news: August 14 -- St. Louis 10, Indianapolis 8
 

Record: 59-62, 4th, 8 GB Des Moines
St. Louis scored two runs in the second inning and three in the third and then everything it could to squeak out a 10-8 win over Indianapolis at Busch Stadium 1997).
Red-hot rookie Alan Dondero connected on a two-run single off Racers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.
That advantage grew to 5-0 an inning later, Nick Poirier with an RBI single off reliever Kolby Allard followed by a two-run double from Jared Thomas.
Indianpolis started chipping away with a run in the top of the fourth and then made it real interesting with a three-run fifth against Walkers starter Aaron Nola.
Jackson Lueck plated the first run with a double. Manny Machado had an RBI single and D.J. Stewart drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
But the Walkers extended their lead to 9-4 with four runs in the seventh.
Jean Carmona plated the first run with a single off reliever Sean Wymer.
An error by third baseman Manny Machado on a ball hit by Romy Gonzalez scored a run, making it 7-4.
Dondero earned yet another RBI sacrifice fly.
The inning's final run scored on an Alek Thomas single.
Cedric Mullins hit an RBI double in the top of the eighth for Indy off beleaguered reliever Edwin Diaz pulling the Racers to within 9-5.
St. Louis, however, got that run back in the bottom of the inning.
Andrew Benintendi led off with a single and scored on a Jean Carmona double off Dinelson Lamet.
But the Racers refused to fold.
Phil Maton walked Lueck to lead off the inning and the next batter, Machado, hit a two-run homer to make it 10-7.
Doubles from Travis Odom and Eddy Osnay Diaz, also off Maton, made it 10-8.
John Curtiss got the call and he ended it by striking out Aaron Hicks.
Nola (8-8) worked six innings,giving up four runs on nine hits.

He was followed to the mound by five relievers.
Jake Brentz (1.0 IP) lasted the longest by pitching a silent seventh.
Diaz retired the first two batters he faced in the eighth but had to be rescued by Caleb Ferguson, who recorded the final out.
The ninth was much the same story with Maton recording the first tow outs, but allowing three runs.
Curtiss earned his first save of the season.

Walkers news: August 15 -- St. Louis 2, Indianapolis 1
 

Record: 60-62, 4th, 7 GB Des Moines and Quad City
Red-hot rookie Alan Dondero led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single and scored on an Andrew Benintendi double to help give St. Louis a 2-1 win over Indianapolis at Busch Stadium (1997).
The victory gave the River Walkers a three-game sweep of their series with the aces.
Dondero led off the inning with his single off Indy reliever Dinelson Lamet.
Alek Thomas then got down a bunt which moved Dondero to second.
After Bo Bichette struck out, Benintendi smacked his double into the right-center field gap scoring Dondero with what would be the game-winning run.
The game's only other runs had come in the second inning.
The Racers' Belt had led off their half of the inning with a double off Walkers starter Alex Faedo and scored on an Adalberto Mondesi ground out.
In the bottom of the inning, Jean Carmona had doubled off Trey Cobb with two outs.
Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto followed with back-to-back singles, the second of them allowing Carmona to score a game-tying run.
Faedo turned in a strong effort, allowing one run on seven hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Sean Doolittle (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and earned the win.
Jake Brentz walked a batter but allowed no runs to earn his fourth save.

Walkers news: August 16 -- St. Louis 5, Springfield 4
 

Record: 61-62, 4th, 7 GB Quad City
Jean Carmona led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off homer as St. Louis rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Springfield 5-4 at Busch Stadium (1997).
Facing a 1-2 count Carmona lined a Steven Gingery pitch 390 feet over the right-field wall to snap a 4-4 tie.
The River Walkers had tied it in the bottom of the eighth, when Alek Thomas led off with a single off reliever Jacob Rhame.
A wild pitch by Wade Davis moved Thomas to second, and a Bo Bichette single plated him on third.
Gerson Moreno replaced Davis, but served up a pitch Andrew Benintendi deep enough into right field to score Thomas.
The Prairie Fighters took control of the game with a three-run third against St. Louis starter Steven Brault.
Three straight hits to open the inning loaded the bases, and the first two runs scored on ground balls.
Ryan Mountcastle made it 3-0 with an RBI single.
Springfield added another run off Brault in the fourth.
Andres Gimenez reaching on a one-out single and scoring on a double by Franmil Reyes.
The Walkers didn't get a hit off Fighters starting pitch Josh Hader until the bottom of the fifth when Rhys Hoskins singled with two outs.
They finally got a run in the sixth against the Springfield bullpen.
Pinch-hitter Christian Arroyo greeted reliever Ryan Pressley with a double and scored on a Thomas ground out.
St. Louis added another run in the seventh.
Romy Gonzalez drew a one-out walk from Drew Steckenrider, a single by Carmona and wild pitch, moved him to third.
Pinch-hitter Dahiandy Johnson's single off Steckenrider made it 4-3.
Brault worked six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.
Nick Lodolo, Phil Maton and Sean Doolittle all worked a scoreless inning.
Doolitttle (2-0) came out of it with the win after pitching the ninth.

Walkers news: August 17 -- St. Louis 6, Quad City 2
 

Record: 62-62, 4th, 7 GB Quad City
Down 2-1, St. Louis scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to send it to a 6-2 win over Springfield at Busch Stadium (1997).
A lead-off homer in the top of the seventh from Odubel Herrera off River Walkers starter Jimmy Lambert had given Springfield a 2-1 lead.
St. Louis, however, answered back in a big way in the bottom of the inning.
The hero from the previous game, when he hit off a walk-off homer in the ninth, Jean Carmona got it going with a one-out double off Prairie Fighters starter Jared Kelley.
Nick Poirier followed with a single, putting runners at the corner.
Jared Thomas connected on another single, tying it at 2.
A single from Alek Thomas chased home Poirier, making it 3-2.
Bo Bichette then landed the big blow, with a triple which handed the Walkers a 5-2 lead.
St. Louis added an insurance run in the eighth.
Rhys Hoskins scored it after drawing a lead-off walk from Ryan Pressley.
He would score on a Carmona single off Jacob Rhame.
Lambert (9-8) worked seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Nick Lodolo and Edwin Diaz handled the final two innings to close out the win.

Walkers news: August 18 -- St. Louis 3, Springfield 1
 

Record: 63-62, 3rd, 6.5 GB Quad City
Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, St. Louis put up a pair of runs which was enough to give the River Walkers a 3-1 win over Springfield at Busch Stadium (1997).
The win gave St. Louis a sweep of its three-game series against the Prairie Fighters. It also vaulted the River Walkers past Springfield and into third place in the National League South Division.
Andrew Benintendi got things rolling for the Walkers with a lead-off walk from Springfield starter Keegan Thompson.
A one-out walk to Jean Carmona moved Benintendi to second and yet another free pass, to Jared Thomas, jammed the sacked.
Bo Bichette then snapped the tie with a two-run single.
Walkers starter Argenis Batista (7-7) threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out nine and walked two.
John Curtiss (0.1) and Jake Brentz (0.2) combined to keep the Fighters off the board in the eighth.
Phil Maton was perfect in the ninth for his second save.

MBL news: Week 20 -- Awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 20 -- Awards and standings

Walkers news: August 20 -- St. Louis 4, Cedar Rapids 2, 10 innings
 

Record: 64-62, 3rd, 6 GB Quad City
Rookie Alan Dondero hit a two-run home run off Quad City reliever Danny Grigg in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift St. Louis to a 4-2 win over Cedar Rapids at Busch Stadium (1997).
The win was the seventh in a row for the River Walkers.
Rhys Hoskins had opened the bottom of the 10th with a single off Grigg.
Dondero then connected on an 0-1 pitch from Grigg and lined it 352 feet over the right-field wall.
A solo homer from Andrew Benintendi off Golden Grapplers starter Carlos Martinez had given St. Louis a 1-0 l ead.
In the third, Dondero led off with a double and later scored, making 2-0.
Cedar Rapids tied it in the sixth.Sam Cohen driving in both the runs with a single off Walkers starter Aaron Nola.
Nola worked 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked two.
Sean Dolittle finished the seventh inning and worked a silent eighth.
Jake Brentz (4-6) didn't allow a baserunners in his two innings, setting himself up for the victory.