John Lackey has been more than many thought. In fact, he has been very good this season.
Lackey got his 10th win of this season.
In front of a sellout crowd of 44,706, including the families and friends of the four Cardinals inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame on Saturday, the Cardinals won for the 11th time in their past 14 games. They have a chance Sunday at their first sweep of the month.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done,” Matheny said. “I keep him involved with what I’m thinking.”
The club entered Saturday with the second-fewest homers (11) from first base this season, and the position’s combined average (.229) and on-base percentage (.294) ranked in baseball’s lower third.
Mark Reynolds turned on a 3-0 pitch for his 10th home run of the season. With the pitcher’s spot on deck, the homer extended the lead and probably extended Lackey’s evening. Matheny could have gone to a pinch-hitter at that point, again giving Lackey’s night an NL trim. Instead he got to press on for his 12th consecutive quality start and his 12th season with at least 10 wins.
Memphis lost 8-1. Dean Anna had 3 hits as did Alex Mejia. Arturo Reyes too the loss (0-1) with 4.1IP/8H/6ER.
Springfield lost 5-3 as Aledmys Diaz hammered three hits and Corey Baker (4-5) took the loss.
Palm Beach was a 5-1 loser with the team only managing two hits in the game and Nick Petree seeing his record dip to 4-3 with the loss.
Peoria Chiefs lost 5-4 and Dewin Perez went 5.2IP/8H/4ERand Alex DeLeon and Cruz each had doubles in the game.
State College Spikes were winners 7-5 as Pritchard and Dennard each collected two hits and Echemendia was the winner in relief with 3IP/2H/0ER and moves his record to 5-1 on the year.
Johnson City lost 7-6. Sosa and Newman each homered and Ronnie Williams was the starer and lasted 5IP/3H/3ER
