JUPITER, Fla. — Result: Cardinals 5, Twins 4
Despite the fact it had been well publicized, Paul Goldschmidt said he was unaware that the Cardinals had failed to hit a home run in their first 10 games this spring.
That streak ended, after 337 at-bats, when Goldschmidt homered in the first inning of what turned out to be a 5-4 win on Tuesday over the Minnesota Twins.
All that proves, Goldschmidt said, is that it’s spring training.
“I had no idea,” he said. “We want to play well in the spring but we all know spring training doesn’t always predict the regular season so we will keep preparing and try to play well.”
Goldschmidt could receive a pass for not being aware of the streak since, as a veteran, he often doesn’t make trips to the away games.
Goldschmidt is more focused on his own preparation, and really wasn’t concerned that he had been 1-of-10 in his first five games this spring.
Still, a day like Tuesday – when he also delivered a sacrifice fly and drew a walk after his home run – was the kind of day he likes to have in the spring.
“Continue building and getting ready for opening day,” he said. “There’s still time to go. If you aren’t where you want to be there’s takeaways and things you can learn. Take it day by day, continue to work on my game to get better.”
Here is how Tuesday’s game broke down:
High: Michael Siani impressed manager Oli Marmol by getting a bunt single, stealing a base and throwing out a runner at home plate from left field.
Low: Andre Pallante allowed hits to four consecutive batters, two of which didn’t get past the pitcher’s mound, before escaping with only one run allowed in his inning of relief thanks to a line drive that he caught and turned into a double play.
At the plate: The Cardinals scored four runs in the third inning, the big blow a two-run double by Dylan Carlson. Jordan Walker also had an RBI single, only his second hit in 19 at-bats this spring … Ivan Herrera made his first appearance since Feb. 26 and doubled and walked in his two plate appearances.
On the mound: Miles Mikolas worked four innings, lobbying to get the extra inning above his scheduled three because of a low pitch count. After giving up a home run on the first pitch of the game, he allowed two other hits and one unearned run … Riley O’Brien worked another perfect inning and has now thrown four scoreless innings this spring … The other Minnesota run came off Ryan Fernandez.
Worth noting: The Cardinals made their first roster cuts of the spring, re-assigning 10 non-roster players to the minor-league camp – pitchers Andre Granillo, Tink Hence, Packy Naughton, Max Rajcic, Victor Santos and Logan Sawyer; catchers Leobardo Bernal, Sammy Hernandez and Carlos Linarez and outfielder Moises Gomez. There are now 58 players left in camp … The Cardinals will monitor Sonny Gray the next few days to see how he is recovering from a “mild” hamstring strain but John Mozeliak, the team’s president of baseball operations, did say his scheduled start on opening day was in question … Luken Baker won the “survivor Jupiter” contest as he became the last player to appear in a game every day this spring, outlasting outfielder Matt Koperniak.
Up next: The Cardinals will enjoy their first of two scheduled days off this spring on Wednesday. They will host the Astros on Thursday, with Kyle Gibson making his second spring start.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
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