If nothing else, Anthony Reyes will not be forgotten by Tony LaRussa, even if he’s on his way back to Memphis. Reyes made his major league debut on Tuesday and pitched into the seventh inning to get his first win, as the Cardinals topped the Brewers 5-2 in Milwaukee.
Mark Grudzielanek got the Cardinals on board in the top of the first when So Taguchi scored on his ground ball to second base. Reyes preserved that lead by putting the side down in the bottom of the first, but he got into a jam in the second. Carlos Lee led off with a single and two batters later Bill Hall homered to put Milwaukee on top 2-1.
After that Reyes was almost perfect. He didn’t give up another hit and allowed just one base runner, when he walked Wes Helms in the sixth inning. Reyes recorded the first out of the sixth inning and was pulled for Randy Flores.
The scored remained 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Grudzielanek singled in So Taguchi to tie it up. John Rodriguez gave the Cardinals the lead with a single to score Albert Pujols.
In the eighth Abraham Nunez and Hector Luna singled in runs to give St. Louis a 5-2 advantage. So Taguchi, Grudzielanek and Luna all scored twice on Tuesday.
Jason Isringhausen worked the ninth inning and allowed no walks or hits to earn his 30th save of the season.
Reyes knew coming into the game that he would be going back to the minor leagues afterwards, regardless of his performance. Manager Tony LaRussa made it clear that he was being called up to give the starting rotation an extra day off, as they play 36 games in 37 days. It was the first time that anyone other than the starters in the original rotation has pitched all season.