Ponce de Leon (1-3) struck out six and picked up the win in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Brewers, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over six innings in a 9-1 rout by the Cardinals.
The right-hander appeared headed for a seven-inning no-hitter before Orlando Arcia led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot. Ponce de Leon finished his evening having thrown 99 pitches (60 strikes), and his strong work in September -- 3.15 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB in 20 innings over four starts -- may have been enough to secure a job in the rotation during the playoffs, should the Cards hold onto their spot over the final games of the regular season.