Lyons, Rodriguez earn Minor League honors

CINCINNATI -- Tyler Lyons capped the month of July with a quality start for the Cardinals in Pittsburgh. For his contributions at Triple-A Memphis earlier on the calendar, he earned the distinction of the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Month.

Jonathan Rodriguez, a first baseman at Class A Palm Beach, was named Minor League Player of the Month.

Lyons tossed six innings in the second tilt of Wednesday's doubleheader at PNC Park. He allowed three runs and took the loss. In six July starts at Memphis, however, he compiled a 3-0 record and 1.50 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. His 0.68 WHIP ranked fourth among all Minor League hurlers.

The Cardinals' ninth-round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Lyons only yielded more than three hits in one of his July outings for the Redbirds. In seven starts with St. Louis, the 25-year-old southpaw has posted a 2-4 record and 5.35 ERA.

"Tyler has really done an outstanding job of applying the experiences he obtained at the Major League level earlier this year into making him even more effective at Memphis," said John Vuch, the Cardinals director of Minor League operations. "His improved command of all of his pitches has allowed him to pitch deeper into games and enabled him to have a great deal of success against both left and righty hitters."

Rodriguez, a 17th-round Draft choice in 2009, is batting .298 with 11 home runs, 58 RBIs, an .861 OPS and a career-high 17 stolen bases in 96 games for Palm Beach. Rodriguez batted .382 (34-for-89) with six homers and 28 RBIs in July. He tallied 11 multi-hit games, including a contest in which he clubbed a pair of homers, one of which was his first career grand slam. The 23-year-old started at designated hitter in the Florida State League All-Star Game.

"Jonathan really put together a tremendous, well-rounded month," Vuch said. "His combination of power, run production and ability to get on base made him a clear choice for the award. He's improved in all areas of his games, and in addition to his offense has made himself a better baserunner and defensive player."