Gordon Graceffo retired all nine batters he faced, striking out four of them, to start off the Cardinals’ bullpen game Thursday against the Orioles.

The Cardinals surely got more than they expected from Graceffo in his first start since being moved to the pen in Triple-A early last year. He hadn’t pitched more than 2 1/3 innings in any of his 52 appearances this year, but he needed just 38 pitches to get nine outs today. In spite of his success, he’ll probably head back to the pen and make an appearance against the Pirates this weekend.