Last Updated on July 2, 2007 6:24 pm by admin
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Anthony Reyes, who has lost 12 straight regular-season decisions, was optioned to the minors by the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday to make room for Braden Looper in the rotation.
Reyes’ losing streak matched Bill Kissinger’s franchise record set from 1896-97. The right-hander, who dominated the Detroit Tigers in winning the World Series opener last fall, has a 6.40 ERA.
The Cardinals have totaled 29 runs in his 12 starts this year, and only 14 while he was on the mound. Reyes is 0-10 and hasn’t won a regular-season game since last Sept. 6.
“It is what it is. I can’t do anything about it besides pitch, so that’s what I’m going to do,” Reyes said.
Manager Tony La Russa expects Reyes, who allowed two runs in five innings in a rain-shortened loss at New York on Wednesday, to start “soon” for Triple-A Memphis. The team does not anticipate recalling Reyes before September, when rosters can be expanded.
“His ceiling is very high and he’s on an uptick,” La Russa said. “But he’s got to go back and go to work.
“When he goes down there and pitches well it’s like money in the bank. You look at the young pitchers that come up before they’re supposed to and try to learn on the fly, it’s hard.”
Looper was activated from the 15-day disabled list from a right shoulder strain. He was 6-6 with a 4.66 ERA in his first year as a starter before being disabled on June 16.
The Cardinals’ rotation up to the All-Star break also excludes struggling Kip Wells, who will stay in the bullpen. Wells, 3-11 with a 6.30 ERA, had his role clarified in a meeting with manager Tony La Russa several hours before Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.