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OOTPRealTime · 03-22-2014, 08:31 AM

CARDS BULLPEN IMPLODES IN LOSS TO NATS
By: Derek Gold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The talk this Spring has been the emergence of a bullpen candidate seemingly out of nowhere. Going into play on Friday, Jhan Marinez had pitched eight innings, allowed zero runs and struck out 12 batters, compared to just one free pass. His stuff? Electric. His control? Pinpoint. All of that came unraveled in today's game against the Nationals. Marinez entered in a game that the Cardinals were winning 4-0 entering the eighth inning. He gave up three hits and three earned runs in the inning. The good news? He struck out four and walked none.

Marinez was clearly shaken after the game. He has been in this position before. He had a cup of coffee with the White Sox in 2012. He was expecting to be in the Chicago bullpen in 2013 - and it all came unraveled. This isn't 2013 and the Cardinals have not soured on Marinez.

"He's going to have outings like that. Every pitcher does. We aren't worried about Jhan. He has done a lot this Spring and showed us what he can do," said Manager Mike Matheny. Matheny called Marinez in his office afterwards and reiterated this point to his 25-year old bullpen candidate.

Just to prove the point that this kind of thing happens - even though you don't like to see it - Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal followed Marinez and the results were not good. He gave up four earned runs and sealed the Cardinals fate. That raised Rosenthal's spring ERA to 5.40 and, like Marinez, the team isn't worried about their closer and he is not in jeopardy of losing the job.

The poor bullpen performance would not overshadow the Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright's final tune up before tossing against the Reds on Opening Day in Cincinnati. He pitched four innings, allowed three hits, struck out six, walked none and didn't allow a runner past first base. Matt Carpenter hit his second spring homer and drove in two runs as he battles for regular playing time. No decision or announcement has been made regarding the battle for third base between David Freese (.220) and Carpenter (.303). After the game, despite a recent slump, Matheny did confirm that Leury Garcia will be the Cardinals everyday shortstop and will bat all over the lineup.

The Cardinals drop to 9-10 on the Spring and have just four more Spring Training games over the next week, leading up to Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 31st.

03-22-2014, 08:31 AM	#167
OOTPRealTime Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 147	Spring Training Game 19 - 3/21/14 - vs. Washington Nationals CARDS BULLPEN IMPLODES IN LOSS TO NATS By: Derek Gold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch The talk this Spring has been the emergence of a bullpen candidate seemingly out of nowhere. Going into play on Friday, Jhan Marinez had pitched eight innings, allowed zero runs and struck out 12 batters, compared to just one free pass. His stuff? Electric. His control? Pinpoint. All of that came unraveled in today's game against the Nationals. Marinez entered in a game that the Cardinals were winning 4-0 entering the eighth inning. He gave up three hits and three earned runs in the inning. The good news? He struck out four and walked none. Marinez was clearly shaken after the game. He has been in this position before. He had a cup of coffee with the White Sox in 2012. He was expecting to be in the Chicago bullpen in 2013 - and it all came unraveled. This isn't 2013 and the Cardinals have not soured on Marinez. "He's going to have outings like that. Every pitcher does. We aren't worried about Jhan. He has done a lot this Spring and showed us what he can do," said Manager Mike Matheny. Matheny called Marinez in his office afterwards and reiterated this point to his 25-year old bullpen candidate. Just to prove the point that this kind of thing happens - even though you don't like to see it - Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal followed Marinez and the results were not good. He gave up four earned runs and sealed the Cardinals fate. That raised Rosenthal's spring ERA to 5.40 and, like Marinez, the team isn't worried about their closer and he is not in jeopardy of losing the job. The poor bullpen performance would not overshadow the Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright's final tune up before tossing against the Reds on Opening Day in Cincinnati. He pitched four innings, allowed three hits, struck out six, walked none and didn't allow a runner past first base. Matt Carpenter hit his second spring homer and drove in two runs as he battles for regular playing time. No decision or announcement has been made regarding the battle for third base between David Freese (.220) and Carpenter (.303). After the game, despite a recent slump, Matheny did confirm that Leury Garcia will be the Cardinals everyday shortstop and will bat all over the lineup. The Cardinals drop to 9-10 on the Spring and have just four more Spring Training games over the next week, leading up to Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 31st. __________________ OOTP in Real-Time - St. Louis Cardinals View Current Organizational Depth Chart (dynamic)