By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – The Cardinals are perfecting the delayed steal of home this spring.
They pulled it off for the second game in a row on Tuesday, as Dexter Fowler scored as part of a three-run first inning in a game that finished in a 4-4 tie against the Marlins.
On Monday, Jose Martinez scored as he and Luke Voit pulled off the delayed steal.
The Cardinals almost had a second steal of home by Kolten Wong on Tuesday but he was called out on a play that manager Mike Matheny said definitely would have been reviewed if it had happened during the regular season.
Wong did get another stolen base, his fifth of the spring.
Other news and notes from Tuesday:
High: The steal of home was one of five stolen bases in the game for the Cardinals, who have stolen 18 bases in their first 12 games this spring. Two of the steals came from Oscar Mercado.
Low: The Cardinals were limited to five hits for the second game in a row and were just 2-of-17 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 runners on base.
At the plate: The three-run first inning also featured an RBI double from Yadier Molina and a run-scoring single from Wong … Andrew Knizner tied the game in the eighth with a solo homer, his second of the spring, off St. Louis native Jacob Turner … The Cardinals’ other hits were a double by Adolis Garcia and a single from Patrick Wisdom.
On the mound: Jack Flaherty worked four innings in his third start of the spring, allowing only two hits – one a two-run homer in the fourth – while walking one and striking out seven. He also hit two batters … John Brebbia and Sam Tuivailala each threw a scoreless inning of relief. Neither has allowed a run this spring. Reliever Derian Gonzalez worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings and has not allowed a run in four appearances, covering 4 1/3 innings.
In the clubhouse: Jose Martinez was a late scratch from the starting lineup because of left groin spasms and might miss a few days. Manager Mike Matheny said Knizner might get some work at first base during Martinez’s absence, which comes while Matt Carpenter also is dealing with a sore back and Rangel Ravelo with an oblique injury, leaving just Voit and Wisdom as the only players on the roster with much first-base experience … The Cardinals and Marlins will play a B game on Wednesday morning, with Brett Cecil set to make his spring debut.
Up next: Adam Wainwright will make his second start of the spring on Wednesday against the Nationals, who are scheduled to start St. Louis native Max Scherzer.
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