Kyle McClellan leads St. Louis Cardinals over Atlanta Braves 4-0 – MLB Update
St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Kyle McClellan has emerged as the best prospect for a place in the starting rotation as he led the club to a victory over league rivals Atlanta Braves 4-0 in their Grapefruit League game on Tuesday, March 15 at Roger Dean Stadium
in Florida.
Kyle, making his third spring start and second against the Braves, proved impressive again with his five scoreless innings. Last time on March 4, against the same opponent, Kyle allowed a first innings run, but shut down the Braves in next three innings.
He repeated the contribution allowing just one scoreless hit and struck-out five batters.
"This is big for me because I had to come in and do this. I had to have a good spring and show that I can do it and my teammates more than anything can have faith in me,” McClellan said. "You always have a chip on your shoulder for people that question whether
or not you can do it and I like proving people wrong."
Cardinals’ manager Tony La Russa anticipated McClellan’s addition in the final line-up, yet he did not confirm it as St. Louis have the option to trade a recognised hurler or search the free-agent market. However, Kyle’s promising performance makes him the
possible candidate, according to La Russa.
"He's certainly making a claim, and it shouldn't surprise anybody. He's creating a heck of an act to follow but we don't have to decide yet. What we get out of it is honesty," La Russa said. "What he gets out of it is probably a little irritation. But it's
not like he's in a bad position."
National League’s Braves right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe also expressed his class as he gave the Cardinals a tough time tossing five tight innings restricting the batters to just one run on four hits. However, Scott Proctor could not maintain the pressure
built by Lowe and gave away three run on three hits in one inning.
Cardinals remained on the top throughout the game and managed to earn a wide four run margin in the sixth inning when Skip Schumaker earned a two-run single. Lance Berkman accompanied Schumaker making one run and one RBI moving the Cardinals lead to 4-0.
Braves’ batters were unable to get anything going as just three batters managed to make a hit, but none of these went for a run. Braves lost their sixth game in Spring Training season. Atlanta will try to regain their momentum in a game against Washington
Nationals on Wednesday. Tim Hudson has been called up to face Nationals Yunesky Maya.
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