Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa said there hasn’t been a starting pitcher better than 23 year old Jaime Garcia this spring training. After his start yesterday against the Twins, it is apparent he’s the team’s fifth starter.
Garcia went six innings allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out three. Garcia’s ERA this spring is 1.95. He left and was in line for the win after Ryan Ludwick and Albert Pujols homered on consecutive days to give him a 3-2 lead. Ryan Franklin gave up a run in the run in the ninth, but picked up the win when Danny Descalso hit a two run homer in the bottom of the ninth to pull out the 5-3 win.
Garcia was in competition all spring with Kyle McClellan, who was the odds-on favorite to win the job coming into camp. The third candidate was Rich Hill who was the underdog in this group who was coming back from injuries and control problems the last two seasons with Baltimore and the Cubs.
Comments from Garcia on his day.