Apr 2, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) hits a double to drive in a run in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE — Jedd Gyorko is off to a good start this season for the St. Louis Cardinals but likely won’t be available Tuesday when they continue their three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Gyorko doubled and scored two runs Monday, boosting his average to .500, but left St. Louis’ 8-4 victory after five innings because of a sprained right hamstring that he expects to keep him sidelined for at least the next few days.
“It’s a shame because he’s put together a couple of good at-bats,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
Gyorko missed 17 games with the same injury a year ago. He will undergo further examination Tuesday but was confident the injury wasn’t as serious this time around.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as it was last year,” Gyorko said. “But it’s still frustrating. I put a lot of effort in to make these things not happen.”
Luke Flaherty gets the start for St Louis, which is trying to move above .500 for the first time this season.
The 22-year old had a 4.50 ERA in five Grapefruit League outings and was slotted to open the season at Triple-A Memphis. When Adam Wainwright landed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury to open the season, Flaherty was brought back and moved into the fifth spot in St. Louis’ rotation.
Flaherty got his first taste of big league action last year, making six appearances down the stretch that included five starts. He wrapped up 2017 against the Brewers, who tagged him for four runs in five innings in an Oct. 1 loss at Busch Stadium.
“He’s improved his stuff,” Matheny said. “The ball movement now with the sinker he has …it opens up a big part of the plate and helps him with lefties. He’s a young pitcher who’s getting better.”
Chase Anderson gets the nod for Milwaukee in his second outing of the season. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out six while holding the San Diego Padres to one hit, but he took no decision in the season opener.
Anderson’s strong debut came in spite of a stomach virus that plagued him in the days leading up to the start.
“It was fun to put a zero up in the first inning and get in a little bit of a groove,” Anderson said. “I tried to attack the (strike) zone and execute pitches.
“When you get the call to start the first game of the season, you want to set the tone and make the guys trust you and respect you. When you go out there and put up zeroes, the guys behind you play a little harder, they respect you in the clubhouse and you set the tone for a good season.”
Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell aligned his rotation so Anderson and Davies, the Brewers’ best starters until Jimmy Nelson returns from shoulder surgery later this season, would each pitch twice during a season-opening homestand that features the Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs.
