ST. LOUIS -- With local law enforcement concentrating its efforts on the protests that erupted following Friday's verdict in the murder trial of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, the Cardinals have cancelled Sunday's eighth annual Cardinals Care 6K Run/Walk. There was no longer sufficient secondary police staffing available for the downtown event, the Cardinals said in a statement.
The Metropolitan Police Department of St. Louis announced on Thursday that its officers were going to mandatory 12-hour shifts and eliminating time off in order to increase its patrol presence. It is unclear how long the protests, which have been nonviolent, are expected to continue in the area.
The Cardinals began a 10-day road trip on Friday, so there will be no immediate disruption to their game schedule. Several downtown businesses sent their employees home early on Friday, and numerous weekend events have been cancelled.
"While we are disappointed that we have to cancel the run, we think it is necessary given everything going on in our community," said Michael Hall, vice president of community relations and executive director of Cardinals Care. "We appreciate everyone's understanding and their generosity in supporting our mission to help children in our community."
This year's 6K Run/Walk will not be rescheduled, but all participants will receive a package that includes a 6K medal, a 6K T-shirt, a Fredbird bobblehead, a Chipotle coupon and a voucher for two complimentary tickets to a 2018 Cardinals home game.
Down on the farm
Triple-A Memphis sits one win away from a Pacific Coast League title after improving to 2-0 in their best-of-five series against El Paso with a 2-0, 11-inning victory on Thursday. Game 3 will be played in El Paso on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. CT.
Memphis starter Kevin Herget struck out 15, one shy of the franchise record, over eight innings. Mike Mayers, Sean Gilmartin and Rowan Wick preserved the shutout before Jose Adolis Garcia ended the game with a walk-off home run.
If Memphis captures its first PCL championship since 2009, it will then play the winner of the International League in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday. That will be played in Scranton, Pa.
Also on Friday, the Texas League announced that Double-A pitching coach Jason Simontacchi has been named the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Texas League Coach of the Year. Simontacchi, in his third season as Springfield's pitching coach, helped guide the Springfield pitching staff to a 3.62 ERA.
From the training room
• Jedd Gyorko (right hamstring strain) ran the bases at close to full speed on Friday, but he has still not been cleared to return to the field.
• Adam Wainwright (right elbow impingement) is scheduled to throw his third bullpen session of the week on Saturday. Manager Mike Matheny said it's unlikely that Wainwright will face hitters during the exercise.
• William Fowler (left knee contusion) and Seunghwan Oh (hamstring tightness) were not available for Friday's series opener.