Cardinals demote Sanchez and Freeman, bring up 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals shook up their bullpen one day after four relievers were tagged for seven runs in four innings of a blowout loss to Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals on Saturday optioned right-hander Eduardo Sanchez and rookie left-hander Sam Freeman to Triple-A Memphis, and purchased the contract of rookie lefty Barret Browning and recalled right-hander Maikel Cleto from the same club.

Right-handed reliever Kyle McClellan, sidelined by an elbow strain, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Browning on the 40-man roster.

Sanchez and Freeman both struggled for the Cardinals, whose bullpen has a 4.67 ERA — 28th in the majors.

Browning, who will make his major league debut at age 27, was 2-3 with a 1.89 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 38 innings.

Cleto appeared in four games earlier this season and allowed three earned runs in five innings for a 5.40 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA and one save in 27 games with Memphis.