Yankees Home Winning Streak Ends as Cardinals Win, 6-3

Tampa, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals (22-35) ended the Tampa Yankees (26-31) home winning streak by winning 6-3 on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The T-Yanks had won eight straight home games before the loss to the Cards.

Palm Beach took an early lead in the second. With two outs, three straight singles by David Popkins, Danny Stienstra and Juan Castillo gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Tampa took a 2-1 lead in the third. Eduardo Sosa reached on an error to begin the inning. Angelo Gumbs followed with a single. Two outs later, Gary Sanchez delivered a two-RBI double.

The Cardinals tied the scored in the fourth. Jonathan Rodriguez led off with a double later scored on a single by Popkins.

The Yankees regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Francisco Arcia and Casey Stevenson singled to begin the inning. One out later, Sosa drove in Arcia with an RBI fielder's choice to give Tampa a 3-2 lead.

Cardinals' starter Brad Watson (1-0) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits in six innings pitched. He struck out four and didn't allow any walks in the win.

Tampa starter Shane Greene (4-6) ran into trouble in the seventh. Popkins led off with a single and moved to second on a walk by Stienstra. The runners moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt Castillo. Ronny Gil gave Palm Beach a 4-3 lead with a two-RBI single to right. RHP Dan Mahoney relieved Greene and proceeded to walk all four batters he faced. A walk by Piscotty drove in Gil and Walsh later scored on a wild pitch to give the Cardinals a 6-3 advantage. RHP Brandon Pinder relieved Mahoney and escaped the seventh after Anthony Garcia grounded into a double play.

Greene gave up five runs on eight hits in six and a third innings pitched.

Palm Beach reliever Corey Baker recorded his first save after pitching a scoreless ninth.

The series wraps up on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Sean Black is scheduled pitch for Tampa. Palm Beach will counter with RHP Juan Bautista. Fans can enjoy Thirsty Thursdays sponsored by NBC Sports Talk 1040. $1 sodas will be offered, as well as half price draft and bottled beer from 6-8:00 p.m.