In this season full of disappointment for the St. Cardinals. Louis, Sonny Gray is starting to meet expectations shortly after signing a three-year, $75 million contract.
Gray (13-9, 3.75 ERA) allowed just three runs on nine hits over 19 innings in his three starts. The right-hander struck out 20 batters and walked just three in that span.
Gray will try to extend his tight end streak on Wednesday when the Cardinals face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third game of a four-game series in St. Louis.
The Cardinals (76-75) recorded a 4-0 win on Monday night and a 3-1 win on Tuesday.
In July, Gray posted a 6.75 ERA over four starts. Since then, he has allowed two runs or less in six of his first eight starts.
“What is trusting your work and not getting stuck knowing that even when I was struggling, most of it was one (bad) inning or one mistake,” said Gray. “It’s about constantly adjusting the use of the voice, the position of the voice and the choice of the voice. It’s about adapting all the time. That’s not going to stop if you want to continue to be good.
“And sometimes it’s about getting out of my own way and letting others help.”
Gray retired the first 15 batters he faced in his most recent start, a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
“I felt like I was really close to being really good,” Gray said after that game. “I’m happy with the overall performance and the changes I’ve been able to make. But, even so, I feel like I’m very close to being really good.”
Gray earned a 4-2 win over the Pirates on June 12. He was held to one run in seven innings while striking out nine and walking one.
He is 5-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 11 outings against Pittsburgh, including 10 starts.
The Pirates (71-80) are yet to claim their first title heading into Wednesday’s game.
During its last rotation, Pittsburgh turned to right-hander Luis Ortiz (6-6, 3.45) in the slot. But in his latest start, Ortiz allowed seven runs (four earned) on five hits — including two homers — in four innings in an 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Ortiz made one appearance against the Cardinals on July 2, striking out four batters in two innings while allowing one run on three hits. He did not record a decision in that game, however he is 0-2 with a 14.63 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against St.
The Pirates have added infielder/outfielder Nick Yorke to the roster as they continue to build for next season and beyond. He started at second base in the first two games of the series and delivered his first three major league hits on Tuesday.
“What I want to do the most is help out wherever I can,” Yorke said after his first call-up. “Whether it’s, you know, on defense, whatever position they want me to play, you know, at the plate, whatever it is. I want to help.”
Infielder/outfielder Oneil Cruz was out of the starting lineup Tuesday for the second straight game while resting a sore ankle. Michael A. Taylor started in center field in his place, but Cruz came off the bench to hit a home run.
Nurse Kyle Nicolas was also ruled out of Tuesday’s game with back pain. He left Monday night’s game after suffering one hit.
“I think we’ll have a better idea in the next 24 hours,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday. “He’s still a little sore today, we’re still evaluating him.”
–Field Level Media