Perez sees first big league action

ST. LOUIS -- In the eighth inning of Sunday's 12-2 win over the Mariners, manager Mike Matheny had cleared his bench, allowing an eager Audry Perez an opportunity to make his Major League debut.

The 24-year-old catcher from the Dominican Republic replaced Yadier Molina to start the eighth, and caught former Minor League teammates Trevor Rosenthal and Sam Freeman for two scoreless innings.

"I was happy, surprised," Perez said. "My first time catching, but I was ready because I caught Rosenthal at Double-A in 2012 and Freeman this year [at Triple-A]. I felt comfortable, I felt good."

After five seasons in the Minors, Perez earned his first big league call up, joining the Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis on Sept. 3.