JUPITER, Fla. — One groundout, one strikeout, and three batters into the Cardinals’ first game of spring training, Houston’s Marty Costes turned on Adam Wainwright’s sinker and scalded a grounder bound for left field. The baseball left his bat at 110.2 mph, the third-swiftest of the first 221 balls put in play during a Cardinals game at Roger Dean Stadium this spring and the only one of the top three that was not a home run.
As quick as it came off the bat it was in Nolan Arenado’s glove.
The Cardinals’ third baseman lunged to his forehand, extended his 12-inch Rawlings glove and intercepted the sharp grounder as he left his feet.