ST. LOUIS – Cardinals pitchers, lead by starter Mike Leake, combined for just one run and three total hits in Friday afternoon’s contest against the Washington Nationals en route to the team’s 10th Grapefruit League victory, a 7-1 decision in West Palm Beach, FL.
Mike Leake took the mound for his third starting stint, providing 4 strong innings. Leake’s only blemish came courtesy of Bryce Harper, who launched a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth. Friday marked Leake’s second straight outing in which he logged 4 innings of work. It was yet another positive outing for the Cardinal starter who, in just his 3 starts so far this spring, is proving to the organization and his teammates that he’s ready to be a factor in the 2017 rotation.
“This year, I think I can say this is the most mature I’ve felt in my whole career,” Leake told MLB contributing writers.
The Cardinals played small ball in the third and fourth innings, manufacturing 6 hits, a sac fly, a pair of walks, and a wild pitch to take a 6-1 lead.
Over the final 5 innings in the game, Cardinals relievers shut down the Nationals’ offense by combining for 2 hits and 6 strikeouts. They did not allow a run.
Eric Fryer put together a 2 for 3 afternoon at the plate, including a pair of runs scored and 2 RBI.
Jose Martinez continued his hot spring by recording 2 hits in 3 at-bats and scoring one run.
Worth Noting:
Breyvic Valera tripled in Friday’s game to score Greg Garcia, the 7th and final run of the game for St. Louis. Valera split time between AAA Memphis and AA Springfield in 2016, combining for 120 hits, a .304 average, and a .725 OPS.
Up Next:
The Cardinals will play the Atlanta Braves for the third time this spring on Saturday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL (12:05 pm CT). Both teams split their first two meetings.
John Gant is expected to make his second Grapefruit League start for St. Louis.
