Edman reflects on collecting 1st MLB hit

NEW YORK -- Tommy Edman isn’t a souvenir collector, but he might let one keepsake stick around.

The Cardinals infielder recorded his first Major League hit Friday at Citi Field, a double into center field that eventually led him around the bases to tie the game in the third inning. He went to third on Daniel Ponce de Leon’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Matt Carpenter’s sacrifice fly. It set the Cardinals on track for a 9-5 win over the Mets.

Edman, who was called up a week ago, was in the starting lineup for the first time Friday, playing second base. When he knocked the double, the Cardinals' dugout celebrated. Jose Martinez got the ball from the Mets’ infield and carried it into the dugout with two hands, a prized possession that couldn’t be dropped.

But Edman was too focused on his first time standing on Major League bases to be worried about the ball just yet. Down 1-0 at the time, he knew he needed to do what he could do put the Cardinals on the board.

“When I got to second, I was like, ‘OK, it’s my first time on base, I’m going to make sure I’m doing everything right,'” Edman said. “Making sure I know how many outs, making sure I’m getting to third. I didn’t really get to cherish it at the moment because I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right on the bases. Once I got back in the dugout, after scoring the run, I was able to relax a little bit.”

Edman received the ball Saturday with the inscription and date on it. He’s not sure what he’ll do with it yet -- right now, it’s sitting in his backpack -- but he might give it to his parents, who were at Citi Field with his sister and a few friends Friday.

Cardinals weighing fifth starter

Ponce de Leon threw four innings in Friday’s win, but the Cardinals are still weighing who will start for an injured Adam Wainwright (left hamstring strain) on Wednesday against the Marlins at Busch Stadium.

Manager Mike Shildt said that the decision will be announced in the coming days, but Ponce de Leon is an option, as well as Alex Reyes, who made an abbreviated start (three innings) Thursday for Triple-A Memphis.

Ponce de Leon gave up one run on two hits Friday, and although he reached 71 pitches, the right-hander found a groove and settled down in his later innings.

The fact that he was still around Saturday -- when the Cardinals had to send their 26th man down from Friday, when they also finished a suspended game -- is further evidence that he is still being considered.

“It does speak to something,” Shildt said. “Ponce did a lot to things to help his cause last night.”

Wainwright is in St. Louis getting treatment on his hamstring and will throw a bullpen session Monday at Busch Stadium.

Leone optioned

Cardinals right-hander Dominic Leone was sent back down to Triple-A following his call-up as the 26th man Friday. The Cards were allowed to call up an extra player for the second game after finishing Thursday’s suspended contest.

Leone started the season in the big leagues, but he was sent down in May after a rough start. On Friday, he said he was working on the timing of his delivery and his overall rhythm of pitching in Memphis.

Worth noting

• Yadier Molina moved up in Major League history Friday night. The 37-year-old catcher moved into 10th all-time in innings caught at 15,841, surpassing Brad Ausmus (15,840 2/3). Jim Sundberg ranks ninth with 15,898 2/3. Molina also collected his 370th career double, one shy of Gary Carter, who sits 10th all time among catchers.

• Tyler O'Neill was placed on the seven-day injured list for Memphis with a left hamstring spasm. It isn't expected to be a serious setback for the outfielder, per a Cardinals official.