JUPITER, Fla. — Challenged by an error in the infield and quirky plays all around, Todd Wellemeyer was able to keep his composure, reduce some of his own inconsistencies and become the first Cardinals pitcher to finish five innings of work. Wellemeyer got a no-decision in the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-4, victory against the hosting Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium.
The righthander, the “Colonel” to all in Kentucky, allowed three hits and three runs (one earned), while striking out two. He allowed a home run to Brett Carroll in the third inning and then things got really nutty. Schumaker’s error prolonged the inning and a couple errant throws from the outfield allowed the Marlins to take a couple extra bases. Wellemeyer minimized the damage by striking out Dan Uggla for the second time and ending the third inning.
Tyler Greene, a former first-round pick for the Cardinals, pushed in the eventual winning run with a bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth inning.
“Looks like he’s figuring it out,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He’s got the ability.”
Joe Mather started at third base and finished the game in left field — but he continued to hit throughout. With Chris Duncan on the mend for a slight groin strain, Mather’s four RBIs against the Marlins on Wednesday gives him the team lead so far this spring. Mather went 2-for-4 with a double in the ninth to drive in two runs. Earlier in the game, he also had a couple noteworthy plays at third base. Mather nearly put Albert Pujols in harm’s way with one throw to the bag, and then on the next play was able to field a chopper on the run and then fire a strike to first.
“All of his at-bats were big,” La Russa said.
Almost too big for Chris Perez’s liking. A day after Jason Motte closed out the game for his first save of spring, Perez was warming up in the pen for a save opportunity when the Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth and erased the save situation. Still, Perez calmed after some wild throws and was able to work a spotless ninth with one strikeout.
Elsewhere in the box score, Mitchell Boggs had a second impressive outing. La Russa put him in the derby for the long-relied role. Others auditioning for the required bullpen spot: incumbent Brad Thompson, prospect P.J. Walters and former No. 1 prospect Blake Hawksworth, gaining mention in that order.
-30-
Loading ...
Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
White Sox fan but been loving the Cards since Gibson and Brock. Been hating the Cubs since old man asked my mother out. As Card fans, please tell me how the Birds beat out the Cubbies for the division. They talk up here like they’re 5 outs away from the Series again (love that Cub history). Can Ludwick repeat those numbers while some youngster lights it up (I don’t know about Rasmus, maybe great, maybe bust) and Albert stays healthy (bum elbow)? The pen looks solid and Duncan is a HOF pitching coach but LaRussa likes to think he can re-invent the game and I worry about his meddling with the staff. Your thoughts?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The thing that caught my attention the most was “Duncan on the mend for a slight groin strain.” Can this guy ever stay truly healthy?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
5 inning start for wellmeyer…just like the regular season
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Looks like some kind of curve ball grip to me.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Pay close attn BH , you have a season long ..gulp ahead if you stay on line .
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
that’s a circle change my brother.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
McClellan needs to improve. I really liked him last year, but I think we might have overused him. He definitely has the ability though. I am lovin the fact that Wellemeyer is having a great spring. If he can repeat what he did last year, we are going to be set with starting pitching.
http://buschshouseofcards.blogspot.com
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Derrick,
Can you identify the pitch the Colonel is throwing in that photo? It looks like it could be the grip for a curve but he usually goes with sliders doesn’t he?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Being a Kentucky Colonel is not the greatest honor. Anyone from anywhere can be nominated. But at least it is something. Colonel, or not, I`m always pulling for Wellemeyer to succeed.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Do you think they will give any thought to using K-Mac in the long-relief role? With Kinney, Perez, Motte, and Franklin looking good so far, they could well be set in terms of shorter relief options.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
He’s an honorary Kentucky Colonel, like Colonel Sanders (of KFC) was. It’s a title they hand out down there.
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ahhhhh “The Colonel” I like it!! I wonder where that came from? Does anyone know?
Report this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0