Cards embrace risks of aggressive baserunning

ST. LOUIS -- In the bottom of the seventh inning of Friday night’s 5-1 Cardinals win over the Angels, Matt Carpenter and Paul DeJong took off from second and first base, respectively, as Angels reliever Luke Bard delivered a pitch, executing a double steal.

It set St. Louis up to score on back-to-back singles from Marcell Ozuna and Jose Martinez, extending the Cardinals’ lead. The two stolen bases were the second and third of Friday’s game, marking the National League-best 16th game this season in which the Cardinals have stolen multiple bases.

They also lead the NL in total stolen bases with 54 and are second in stolen-base success rate at 83.1 percent. And the Cardinals rank second in the Major Leagues in Fangraphs’ baserunning metric, which turns stolen bases, caught stealings and other baserunning plays (taking extra bases, being thrown out on the bases, etc.) into runs above and below average.

“The general mindset of this club is taking that bag and having an aggressive attitude,” center fielder Harrison Bader said.

That attitude stems from manager Mike Shildt, and the players have committed to it, Bader said. Part of the preparation before each game is focused on what the Cardinals have to do on the bases, and every so often during the season, players will work on baserunning drills before or during batting practice.

They want to apply the pressure rather than feel the pressure.

“Shildt talks about all the time: ‘You have to be the aggressor,’” Bader said. “Success, wins -- everything comes more naturally if you’re the aggressor and you’re applying pressure. When you have a manager who tells his players to be aggressive, apply pressure and make them make a play on you, it makes everything a lot easier. That’s always been my mindset, and the club is about the same thing.”

An aggressive attitude on the basepaths can come with mistakes, though, and two in particular have cost the Cardinals recently. Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, pinch-running both times, was thrown out at home against the Mets on June 15 and was picked off while extending his lead from second base in the 11th inning of Thursday’s loss to the Marlins. Both times, the Cardinals were down a run, trying to tie the game.

“We have an aggressive mindset, but we’re going to be prepared and smart about it,” Shildt said. “The out has more value than the save, but we have to trust ourselves to be aggressive to win the game. We’re going to make mistakes. If you don’t make a mistake, you’re not getting the most out of what you have.”

Gyorko to have procedure on wrist

Jedd Gyorko, on the injured list with a left calf strain, will have a minor arthroscopic procedure on his right wrist Monday. He’s had pain in that wrist for about 2 1/2 years, but the shots he’s gotten for the pain have only masked the problem.

“No structural damage, nothing … in that regard,” Shildt said. “Just a cleanup on something he’s been dealing with.”

With the calf strain sidelining Gyorko anyway, Shildt said the timing of the procedure coincides with the third baseman’s stint on the injured list. Gyorko will return to baseball activities in about three weeks.

Munoz arrives safely

Yairo Munoz made it back safely to St. Louis on Friday after his return flight to New York from the Dominican Republic was delayed. The Cardinals utility infielder was on paternity leave, and after welcoming a baby girl into his family, he left to come back to St. Louis. Munoz was put on the restricted list Thursday due to the delays but made it back to the active roster on Friday.

Ravelo optioned

First baseman Rangel Ravelo was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday. After being called up to the Major Leagues for the first time in his 10-year Minor League career, Ravelo went 1-for-6 in four games (one start) and registered his first Major League hit on Wednesday against the Marlins.

“He’ll be back,” Shildt said of Ravelo on Friday. “It’s just about roster composition. He took great at-bats, more than earned his right.”