St. Louis Cardinals Prospects Report -- Playoff Edition: Mercado continues hitting streak, while swiping three bags

Memphis lost to Omaha 0 - 2

• Thomas Pham (CF), 1 for 4
• Stephen Piscotty (RF), 1 for 4, K
• Greg Garcia (2B), 0 for 3, BB, K, CS
  
• Rafael Ortega (LF), 0 for 3
• Boone Whiting, 5.0 IP, 6 Ks, BB, 7 Hits, HR, 2 ER
• Mitch Harris, 1 IP, 2 BBs
• Dean Kiekhefer, 2.0 IP, H, 2 Ks
• Samuel Tuivailala, 1 IP, 2 Hits, 2 Ks

Notes:

The loss puts Memphis down 1 - 2 in a 5-game series, with the winner entering the PCL Finals. It was a solid pitching performance, as the staff struck out 10 against 3 walks, and allowed just two runs. The offense just wasn't able to get any runs across, despite five walks to go with their five hits (all singles, however).

State College beat Hudson Valley 2 - 1

• Darren Seferina (2B), 1 for 4, K, R
• Nick Thompson (RF), 2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI
• Alex De Leon (1B), 0 for 3, BB, K
• Jake Stone (DH), 0 for 3, BB
• Brian O'Keefe (C), 1 for 2
• Fernando Baez, 5 1/3 IP, 10 Ks, BB, 4 Hits, R, 0 ER
• Josh Lucas, 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 Ks
• Nick Lomascolo, 1 IP, H
• Kyle Grana, 1 IP, 2 Ks

Notes:

This win advanced State College to the NY-Penn League Finals, where they'll face the Tri-City ValleyCats in a rematch of last year's finals, which the Spikes lost in a three-game sweep.

Baez might be a little old for the NYPL at 22, but he had a helluva start. His career K:BB ratio in the minors is barely more than two, despite healthy K-rates, so his ability to limit his walks last night while mowing down batters is impressive.

Johnson City secured the Appalachian League Title with a 4 - 2 victory over Danville

• Casey Turgeon (2B), 1 for 2, HR, 2 BBs, R, 2 RBI, Throwing Error
• Oscar Mercado (SS), 1 for 3, BB, 2 RBI, 3 SBs
• Blake Drake (CF-RF), 0 for 4, 2 Ks
• Chris Rivera (3B), 1 for 4, 2B, 2 Ks, R
• Magneuris Sierra (CF), 1 for 1, SB
• Dailyn Martinez, 6.0 IP, 4 Ks, 0 BBs, 5 Hits, ER
• Anderson Gerdel, 2 1/3 IP, 3 Ks, BB, 2 Hits, ER
• Ismael Brito, 2/3 IP, K

Notes:

Despite just four hits in the game, Johnson City managed to score four runs thanks in part to drawing seven walks, as well as two of those hits being for extra bases (including a HR). They also ran wild on the bases, stealing five bases in the game without being caught once.

Most of those bases were from Oscar Mercado, who stole three in this game, and seven in the playoffs. He ends the season on a 9-game hitting streak as well, and a .400 average for the playoffs, and more stolen bases than strikeouts in the postseason.

Tonight's Starters:

Memphis hosts Omaha at 7:05 CT. Buddy Baumann will start for Omaha, and the Redbirds have not announced who their starter will be. Memphis will have to win each of their next two games to stay in the postseason.