Mixed reviews for Reyes’ starting debut

ST. LOUIS — Both his future potential and present limitations were on display Saturday, as Alex Reyes stepped into the rotation for an ill Mike Leake and made the first of what the organization expects will be many starts in a Cardinals uniform.

Reyes covered the first 4 2/3 innings in an eventual 3-2 loss to the A’s that kept the Cardinals from securing their first home Interleague series win of the season. His fastball, per usual, hit as high as 100 mph on the radar gun, and he complemented it with a heavy dose of changeups.

Holding him back, however, was command.

What manager Mike Matheny described as “overthrowing” and “jumpy,” Reyes explained away as trouble getting his mechanics in sync. What it led to were four walks and extended innings. By the time Matheny pulled Reyes with two on and two out in the fifth, the rookie’s pitch count sat at 89.

“I was a little out of rhythm with my mechanics, so I wasn’t able to establish the ball down early in the game,” Reyes said. “It was a big day being out there as a starter, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to execute pitches consistently.”

It’s the same issue that hampered Reyes, the organization’s top prospect, …

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