Redbird Randoms … 8/6/08 … Pineiro, Phelps, Lopez

On-deck: The Cards take on the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at Busch Stadium in St. Louis at 7:15 p.m. This is the second game of a three-game set. This series will finish a six-game home stand before the Cards take to the road on a 10-game trip.

Probabes: LAD-Derek Lowe RHP (8-9, 3.70) vs. STL-Joel Pineiro RHP (3-5, 5.04)

Birds’ Perch: The Cub and Brewers both won yesterday, the Cardinals keeping pace in the NL Central with their 11-inning win last night. The Cubs keep a firm grip on first place, the Brewers 5.0 games behind in second place; the Cardinals 5.5 games out and a 1/2-game behind the Brew-Crew.

Wainwright’s finger: Rehabbing Adam Wainwright threw a bullpen session at Busch Stadium yesterday, about 30 pitches. He may pitch one or two rehab starts, and most likely, will throw for the Memphis Redbirds, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, Saturday.

Phelps’ accolade: Class AAA Memphis Redbirds’ Josh Phelps continues to impress, named the Pacific Coast Leagues’ Batter of the Week.

Kozma to Palm Beach: Peter Kozma has been promoted to the Cardinals’ High-A affiliate, Palm Beach Cardinals.

Tummy taking longer: Rick Ankiel’s abdominal strain has kept him out of the regular lineup a little longer than expected. He will continue to be available for pinch-hitting duties versus the Dodgers in their current series, but is under orders not to lay on the after-burners when it comes to running.

Lopez the Nat now Lopez the Card: The Cardinals have signed Felipe Lopez, who was recently released from the Washington Nationals. Lopez was an All-Star in 2005, and has plenty of major league experience. He plays middle infield, mostly second base.

Ryan down: In order to make room on the roster for recent pickup Felipe Lopez, the Cardinals have optioned infielder Brendan Ryan to Triple-A Memphis.

Whatcha done for me lately? These minor leaguers in the Cards’ system have done something lately, in fact, yesterday.

Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie League)–Jose Mateo went 5-for-6, scoring one run and tabbing one RBI.
Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie League)–Osvaldo Morales went 1-for-4, scoring four runs, hitting a home run and collecting two RBIs.
Quad-Cities River Bandits (Low-A)–Brett Wallace went 3-for-4, scored one run, hit one double, and notched one RBI.
Memphis Redbirds (AAA)–Tyler Greene went 1-for-4, scoring one run, hitting one double, and grabbing one RBI.
Memphis Redbirds (AAA)–Josh Phelps went 1-for-4, scoring two runs and hitting one double.

MiLB … Peoples propels Bandits to extra inning win

Quad-Cities River Bandits (Low-A): Won in extra innings at Oldmobile Park in Lansing Michigan versus the Lugnuts.

In the eleventh inning, the Bandits’ Nicholas Peoples singled home Brett Wallace and Thomas Pham to beat the Lugnuts 6-4.

Coming on in relief to pitch the extra innings, Pete Parise grabbed the victory, his record now 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA. He gave up only one hit and struck out three.

Chuckie Fick had started, pitching the bulk of innings, two outs into the seventh after giving a home run, the Lugnuts tying the game at 4-all. Eduardo Sanchez relieved Fick and got out of the inning when catcher Roberto Espinoza threw out a base runner attempting to steal second.

Sanchez pitched two and a third innings, allowing no runs and striking out four.

The Peoples two-RBI single proved to be the game-winning hit while Parise was working his two innings.

Pham went 2-for-5 with a double.

Oliver Marmol went 1-for-4 with a double.

Also having a two-hit day were: Brett Wallace, D’Marcus Ingram, and Roberto Espinoza.

MiLB Cardinals

Memphis Redbirds (AAA): Mike Parisi fell to 6-2 after the Redbirds lost 5-4 to the New Orleans Zephyrs. Shane Robinson homered for the Redbirds.

Springfield Cardinals (AA): Got nipped 11-10 by the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Fernando Salas was the losing pitcher, his record now 4-2.

Matt Pagnozzi went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Allen Craig hit a two-run home run in a 3-for-5 game, tallying two RBIs and scoring two runs. James Rapoport tripled, gathering two RBIs and scoring two runs. Also in the losing effort, Andrew Jones went 2-for-5, hitting a two-run homer and scoring two runs.

Quad-Cities River Bandits (A): The South Bend Silver Hawks pounded the River Bandits at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend, Indiana yesterday, 10-2. Nick Additon (7-3) got lit up for a couple of home runs in the first inning, according to the Quad City Times.

In the losing cause, the only Bandits’ run came in the form of solo home runs, one apiece by Nick Peoples and Brett Wallace.

Johnson City Cardinals (R): Fell 7-3 yesterday to the Pulaski Mariners. Jon Bravo (0-3, 4.76) took the loss for Johnson City.

Alex Castellanos went 2-for-3 with a home run. Jairo Martinez hit a solo home run, his only hit of the game. Curt Smith doubled.

Palm Beach Cardinals (A): Beat the Clearwater Threshers 5-3 yesterday. Brandon Dickson notched the victory, improving his record to 7-6 with an ERA of 2.95.

Matthew Arburr went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. Also having a 2-for-4 game was Luke Gorsett, who hit a home run. Yet another home run was hit by Daniel Descalso. (All the round-trippers were solo shots.) Tyler Henley added to the offense with a double on a 2-for-4 day.

Batavia Muckdogs (A): Were shut out by the Lowell Spinners. The losing Muckdog pitcher was Zachery Pitts (0-2).

In the loss, Shane Peterson doubled and Charles Cutler went 2-for-3.