Cardinals, Ferrara Slow Hammerheads

Anthony Ferrara and the Palm Beach Cardinals (36-42) were too much for the Jupiter Hammerheads (41-38) to handle on Sunday evening at Roger Dean Stadium as they were victorious, 7-2.

Palm Beach jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Jupiter starter Rett Varner in the first inning. Starlin Rodriguez drove in the first run with a sac fly and Geoffrey Klein added an RBI-single.

The Hammerheads got on the board in the bottom of the second inning on a solo homer by J.T. Realmuto to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Cardinals proceeded to tack on single runs in both the third and fourth innings making the score 4-1. Again Jupiter was able to cut the lead in half on an RBI-double by Danny Black in the bottom of the fifth.

In the sixth, Rainel Rosario connected on his first home run of the season, a two-run shot off Varner to put the Cardinals ahead 6-2.

Varner (3-2) was charged with the loss as he went six innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits. For the Cardinals, Ferrara cruised through seven strong innings. He scattered nine hits but let up just two runs (one earned). Ferrara (5-6) struck out four batters and did not walk any.

For the Hammerheads, Alfredo Lopez went 3-for-4 on the night. Ryan Fisher went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Danny Black also collected two hits.

Jupiter and Palm Beach will lock up again tomorrow night in the Fins and Feathers Series beginning at 6:35 p.m.