MIAMI—Daniel Ponce de Leon probably wasn’t the trendy pick to become the first Cardinals starter to last past five innings this season, in part because he is in the rotation due to others being hurt. And, in larger part, because he has had trouble commanding counts.
Adopting a strategy of throwing almost entirely four-seam fastballs ranging from 91 to 93 mph Monday night, Ponce de Leon not only controlled counts, he controlled the Miami Marlins for five innings Monday night at loanDepot Park in a 4-1 Cardinals victory.
Facing a Marlins team he had pitched almost exclusively against in spring training when he walked seven in 12 2/3 innings over four games, Ponce de Leon walked nobody in the first four frames Monday although he grazed Starling Marte’s shirt twice, allowing the Mrlins’ center fielder to reach base.