Frogs in the MLB: Carpenter leads the Cards, Cashner returns victorious

Jake Arrieta (P/Philadelphia Phillies) -

Arrieta pitched in Milwaukee on June 15. He only lasted 3 ¹⁄₃ innings, allowing 8 runs on 7 hits (4 earned), including 1 home run. He struck out 1 and walked 2. The Phillies suffered an ugly 13-2 loss.

The returned home, where Arrieta faced the Cardinals are June 20. In the past, we haven’t seen many Arrieta/Carpenter battles, due to both players’ schedules not quite matching up each time the teams play. But this time, the former teammates and friends went head-to-head, and Arrieta came out on top. He went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, including 2 home runs. He struck out 5 and walked 2 in a Phillies 4-3 win.

Arrieta has an ERA of 3.42 with a WHIP of 1.23. You can see Arrieta’s full stats here. He’ll pitch Tuesday at home against the Yankees.

Matt Carpenter (1B/St. Louis Cardinals) -

If you still think Carpenter doesn’t deserve to be in the lineup for the Cardinals this season, you need a reality check. Carpenter faced the Cubs in St. Louis on June 15. It was 11-1 in the bottom of the 6th when Carpenter hit a solo home run, making it 11-2. He came back again in the 7th and hit a single to right center, bringing Yairo Munoz home. Kolten Wong also came in on an error by center fielder Albert Almora, Jr. The Cardinals ended up losing 13-5.

June 16 was a bit rougher for Carpenter, who got absolutely nowhere in 5 at-bats against the Cubs in game 2 of the series. The Cardinals lost 6-3.

June 17 saw game 3 for the Cards and Cubs. He hit a home run in the bottom of the 7th in a 5-0 win for the home team Cardinals to prevent the Cubs from sweeping the series.

On June 18, the Cardinals faced the Phillies in Philadelphia. Carpenter had 2 hits on the day, including a solo home run in the top of the 3rd to put St. Louis on the board. The teams were tied at 4 after 9, and the Phillies squeaked out a 6-5 win in the bottom of the 10th.

On June 19, the teams met for game 2. Carpenter doubled to deep right in the top of the 7th, bringing in Wong and Munoz and making it 4-4. Then, with the teams tied at 6-6 at the top of the 9th, Carpenter hit a solo home run to make it 7-6 and earn the Cardinals win.

The Cardinals remained in Philly June 20, where Carpenter and Arrieta faced off. He walked twice and hit a fly out to left against Jake, in what would end with a 4-3 loss for the Cardinals.

On June 21, the Cardinals played the Brewers in Milwaukee. He hit a solo home run at the top of the 1st on the first pitch of the game to put the Cardinals out front. Unfortunately, Milwaukee would get their revenge and hand the Cards an 11-3 loss.

On June 22, Carpenter walked in the top of the 3rd and was batted in on Harrison Bader’s sacrifice to third, making it 1-0 St. Louis.

June 23 brought game 3 in Milwaukee and saw 2 strikeouts and a walk for Carpenter. But the Cardinals managed a last-minute 3-2 win over the Brewers.

Carpenter currently has 36 runs and 59 hits, with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs on the season. He‘s raised his average to .238. The Cardinals are playing in Milwaukee today. You can see his full stats here.

Andrew Cashner (P/Baltimore Orioles) -

Cashner returned from the DL a little bit early, and showed that he was more than ready to get the Orioles a win. On June 20, he pitched a great 4 innings, keeping the Nationals scoreless on just 3 hits. He would’ve continued pitching, but there was a weather delay that kept him from returning the mound. The Orioles got a rare win, with a final score of 3-0. It’s about freakin’ time the Orioles learned how to use a bat.

On June 22, the Orioles were playing in Atlanta in an epic 15-inning game, with the teams tied at 7. In the 14th, Cashner was brought in to pinch hit, to the amusement of fans. He lined out to short, but the Orioles were able to grab the win with a 2-run homer and an RBI single in the top of the 15th that the Braves couldn’t match. The final score was 10-7 Orioles. This was actually the third time Cashner was at bat this season, with the last time being the June 20th game, where he struck out.

Cashner currently has a 4.72 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Cashner will pitch at home tomorrow against the Mariners. You can see his full stats here.

Bryan Holaday (C/Miami Marlins) -

If the Marlins aren’t playing “Another One Bites the Dust” every time Holaday throws someone out at second on an attempt to steal, they’re losing at life. The Giants’ Mac Williamson was the latest victim of Holaday’s keen eye and quick arm, keeping the score at 3-0 Giants in the top of the 4th on June 14. Holaday had his turn at the plate, as well. He hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th to make it 3-2. The Marlins had another run to make it 3-3 after 9. It took 16 innings for the Giants to get the 6-3 win, which is pretty impressive for the Marlins and slightly embarrassing for the Giants, who are struggling to stay in the middle of the pack in the National League rankings.

On June 17, the Marlins were in Baltimore to face the Orioles. Holaday had a single in the top of the 7th and managed to get to second, but that was as far as he got. The Marlins lost 10-4.

On June 18, Holaday made a brief appearance at catcher against the Giants. The Marlins finally pulled off a 5-4 victory.

Holaday returned to play on June 23 in Colorado. He hit a single in the top of the 7th to advance the runner and help the Marlins to a 6-3 win.

Holaday currently has 4 runs and 13 hits, with 5 RBIs and 1 home run. His AVG is .183. You can see his full stats here. The Marlins are in Colorado today.