JUPITER, Fla. — Result: Cardinals 2, Nationals 2
The Cardinals ran out what could be their starting lineup for the regular-season opener for Saturday’s game against the Nationals.
They have to hope that group will have better results for the March 28 game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
The nine starters combined had only two hits in 23 at-bats before coming out of Saturday’s game, which turned out to be a 2-2 tie.
The only hits were singles by Jordan Walker and Dylan Carlson, whose solid spring won him the starting job in center field with Tommy Edman on the injured list.
The only possible change in the lineup for the game against the Dodgers could be at DH, where Matt Carpenter started on Saturday but Alec Burleson might start in the opener, with Brendan Donovan getting the start in left field.
Here is how Saturday’s game broke down:
High: Thomas Saggese capped his great spring with an RBI double in the ninth inning that lifted the Cardinals into the tie.
Low: Paul Goldschmidt was 0-of-3 and struck out twice. His spring average fell to .122 with 18 strikeouts in 41 at-bats.
At the plate: The Cardinals trailed 2-0 going to the ninth. Minor-leaguer Bryan Torres started the rally with a double, then scored on a single by Burleson … Saggese’s two-out double drove in pinch-runner Nick Dunn to tie the game … Other than Goldschmidt, the projected starter who struggled the most this spring was shortstop Masyn Winn, whose 0-of-3 day on Saturday dropped his spring average to .184.
On the mound: Opening day starter Miles Mikolas, whose scheduled start on Friday night was rained out, worked six innings, allowing one run on six hits. He did not walk a hitter and struck out three, ending the spring with a 2.14 ERA and just one walk in 21 innings … The other Washington run scored off Riley O’Brien.
Worth noting: Victor Scott II was one of six players reassigned to the minor leagues and will begin the year at Triple A Memphis … Also going to the minors were Nick Robertson, Alfonso Rivas, Jared Young, Luken Baker and Cesar Prieto … Michael Siani made the opening day roster as a backup outfielder, thanks in part to the injuries to Edman and Lars Nootbaar … With Zack Thompson making the rotation and Matthew Liberatore starting the year in the bullpen, the team has one more relief spot to fill on the opening day roster … Lance Lynn was named the starter for the home opener on April 4, with Thompson set to start the second game of the season, followed by Lynn and Steven Matz against the Dodgers, with Kyle Gibson pitching the opener of the following series in San Diego … Sonny Gray and Nootbaar will remain in Florida when the team leaves on Sunday, with Gray set to continue his rehab with appearances in minor-league games.
Up next: The Cardinals will play their final game in Florida on Sunday, taking on the Astros in West Palm Beach. The team will fly to Arizona after the game for their last two preseason games Monday and Tuesday against the Cubs in Mesa.
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