Injury-riddled Cardinals take aim at Pirates

The St. Louis Cardinals indicated that a left ankle injury for rookie third baseman Blaze Jordan would sideline him for a while.

That's unfortunate for Jordan's development and another blow on the medical front for the Cardinals, whose slim postseason chances have dwindled further with every new player placed on the injured list.

The high the Cards felt after Jordan's third career home run, also his first at his home ballpark, was short-lived after he exited early in a 7-5 victory Thursday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles.

Jordan won't be available Friday night when the Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game series. Infielder Thomas Saggese reportedly will be called up from Triple-A Memphis.

Jordan's three-run shot gave the Cardinals an early lead against Baltimore, and he made an athletic, albeit awkward, play around the third-base bag in the eighth inning to help protect it. But he also jammed his left ankle taking a throw from George Soriano and limped off the field aided by an athletic trainer and manager Oliver Marmol.

"It didn't seem like a good thing," Marmol said. "He's going to miss some time."

Jordan, 23, was batting .247 with three homers and 28 RBIs in 58 games. He arrived a year ago in a trade from the Boston Red Sox for left-hander Steven Matz.

The Cardinals, who reside 5 1/2 games out of the wild-card race, stopped a five-game losing streak and felt inspired by right-hander Gordon Graceffo's effort leading a bullpen game against a postseason contender.

Infielder Ramon Urias, who hit a two-run homer to help build a big lead against his former team, was impressed with Graceffo and the Cardinals' bullpen.

"They did a good job keeping us in the game," Urias said. "I know it's tough having relievers in there all game long."

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Graceffo came in with a reputation for issuing too many walks, but he was perfect for three innings, striking out four.

"He was pumping the strike zone and he mowed us down," Albernaz said.

Marmol said Graceffo getting nine outs was huge for the Cardinals, considering much of the bullpen was feeling fatigued. Two starting pitchers -- right-handers Andre Pallante and Hunter Dobbins -- recently went on the injured list. Starting shortstop Masyn Winn and outfielder Everson Pereira also are sidelined.

St. Louis left-hander Quinn Mathews (0-2, 6.43 ERA) is set to make his fourth career start on Friday and first versus Pittsburgh. The Phillies blitzed him Saturday for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings in his previous start.

Right-hander Jared Jones (2-5, 4.76) will take the mound for the Pirates, who slipped to 7 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot after dropping a 3-0 decision to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.

Jones has a 0-3 record with a 7.88 ERA in his four previous starts, covering 16 innings.

He allowed one run on four hits in five innings of a no-decision in his lone encounter with the Cardinals.

The Bucs must do better with runners in scoring position. They went 2-for-30 against the Padres, which frustrated manager Don Kelly -- and everyone else in the dugout.

"I wish there was a magic pill, or a wand that we could wave, and have the guys get the hits," Kelly said. "There's nobody that wants to get the hits more than the players do.

"We have to be better in the approach and better in those moments. Yes, there is pressure, but that's what you play for -- to be in those moments, and find a way to get it done. When guys aren't getting the job done, everybody feels it."