JUPITER, Fla. — Result: Nationals 3, Cardinals 1
Six pitches into his Cardinals debut on Thursday, Kyle Gibson found himself in a 2-0 hole thanks to back-to-back homers by the game’s first two hitters.
If it had been a game in the regular season Gibson would have been upset. Because it is spring training, however, there were more important aspects to his performance for the veteran pitcher.
“The first two or three outings you are just trying to execute pitches,” he said. “Walked off healthy Executed a lot of pitches after those first two hitters which is good … You never want to start a game, no matter if it’s spring training, giving up two homers.”
The homers, from former Cardinal Lane Thomas and James Wood, came on pitches that Gibson said he might not have thrown in the regular season.
“It’s so much about figuring out what you are trying to work on,” Gibson said. “I’ve got two or three things that I am really trying to do better in the spring to take into the year.”
Gibson also allowed another run in the second inning, when he threw two wild pitches, He had two strike outs and did not walk anybody, throwing 41 pitches, 24 for strikes.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
High: Giovanny Gallegos and Andrew Kittredge needed just 14 combined pitches to work consecutive scoreless innings.
Low: The offense has combined for only eight runs in the last five games and is still homerless for the spring through seven games.
At the plate: The Cardinals were held to five hits, with Masyn Winn’s double the only extra-base hit. Two of the hits came in the ninth inning, when they scored their only run … Over their last five games the Cardinals have gone 35-of-164, a .213 average … Jordan Walker had his first hit of the spring, an infield single … Paul Goldschmidt struck out in both of his at-bats.
On the mound: After Gibson’s start, Gallegos worked a perfect inning on eight pitches before Kittredge needed only six pitches to get through the next inning. Each was helped out by an outstanding defensive play, by Nolan Arenado and Walker … Michael McGreevy and Adam Kloffenstein each worked two scoreless innings, each allowing one hit.
Worth noting: Infielder Buddy Kennedy was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. He had been designated for assignment when the Cardinals signed Brandon Crawford … Female umpire Jen Pawol worked the game behind the plate … Steven Matz threw two simulated innings of live batting practice on a backfield. His next assignment likely will come in a game … Tekoah Roby, whose start scheduled for last Monday was delayed because of tightness in his back, has resumed pitching and the Cardinals hope to get him into a game in the next several days.
Up next: The Cardinals will host the Mets on Friday in Jupiter with Matthew Liberatore scheduled to make his second start of the spring.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
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