Daily Farm Report: Carson Kelly rakes, Matt Pearce deals

The Cardinals announced on Thursday that infielder Jhonny Peralta will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Palm Beach over the weekend. Peralta went on the disabled list on April 16 with a respiratory illness and might be ready to rejoin the team as soon as next week, when the Cardinals are in Miami to play the Marlins.

Here’s a look back at Thursday’s farm action:

Memphis Redbirds 12, Omaha Storm Chasers 9

The Redbirds finished on the upside of a crazy, ten-inning game on Thursday, beating Omaha by a 12-9 final score.

In the contest, catcher Carson Kelly went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer. and three RBIs, and Todd Cunningham - who entered the game in place of Tommy Pham after he exited upon word of the injuries to Dexter Fowler and Stephen Piscotty in Thursday’s game with the Brewers - had three hits in four at-bats, scoring twice.

Lost in the 21 runs of this ballgame is the quality start Daniel Poncedeleon pieced together. Poncedeleon limited the Storm Chasers to three runs on as many walks and four hits over six innings while whiffing four. Reliever Zach Phillips was rocked for four runs, and Josh Lucas was tagged for a couple before he ultimately picked up the win and Ryan Sherriff notched his second save.

Springfield Cardinals 9, Northwest Arkansas Naturals 1

Matt Pearce didn’t need much run support on Thursday, but the Cardinals gave it to him in the club’s 9-1 win over the Naturals.

Pearce dominated the Naturals, lasting eight inning and allowing one run on just six baserunners. All but one of Pearce’s five starts for Springfield thus far have been considered quality, but his performance on Thursday takes the cake at this point.

Designated hitter Anthony Garcia hit his first homer of the season, while rightfielder Adolis Garcia picked up his sixth double of the year. Centerfielder Oscar Mercado went 2-for-5, extending his hitting streak to nineteen games.

Florida Fire Frogs 3, Palm Beach Cardinals 0

Palm Beach couldn’t get much of anything going on Thursday, as the Fire Frogs limited them to just five baserunners in their 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Fire Frogs starter Drew Harrington one-hit the Cardinals through five frames before turning the game over to the bullpen, which was just as stellar, as right-handers Josh Graham and Sean McLaughlin followed suit with a combined four scoreless innings.

For the Cardinals, two of their three hits - all singles - belonged to designated hitter Blake Drake, whose 2-for-3 night raised his average to an even .300 on the year.

The Peoria Chiefs and Lansing Lugnuts were postponed on Thursday due to rain; the date of the make-up has not been announced.

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Friday’s probables:

MEM: Arturo Reyes

SPR: Jack Flaherty

PMB: Ryan Helsley

PEO: Ian Oxnevad