Minor Matters

By Jenifer Langosch and Alex Halsted

May 20, 2014

ST. LOUIS -- Some news and notes from down in the Cardinals' farm system:

• Sam Freeman, who was optioned to Triple-A to clear roster room for Jason Motte, pitched immediately upon his return to Memphis on Monday. Freeman threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and struck out three.

• Starting for Memphis on Monday, Zach Petrick threw seven scoreless innings, the deepest he's pitched in six starts since being promoted. Petrick allowed three hits, one walk and struck out three, but he did not get any run support. Memphis dropped a 1-0 decision to Colorado Springs when Jorge Rondon allowed a run in the 10th. Memphis is 1-7 in one-run games this season.

• Left-hander Kyle Hald struck out a season-high eight in Double-A Springfield's win on Monday. Hald allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings. Five different players drove in runs in the 6-2 win over Arkansas.

• Despite Internet rumors about an imminent callup for outfielder Oscar Taveras, the Cardinals' No. 1 prospect remains in Memphis, where he batted third and started in center on Tuesday. Entering the day, Taveras had driven in a run in 12 of his last 20 games and ranked second in the league (minimum 35 at-bats) with a .436 average with runners in scoring position.

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. Alex Halsted is an associate reporter for MLB.com.