Cards erase early deficit to win third straight

JUPITER, FL- Palm Beach erased an early 2-0 deficit Tuesday night at Roger Dean Stadium, taking down the FSL North Division leading Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-4.

Dunedin struck first, scoring 2 runs in the top of the second on a single, triple, and a RBI ground out. However, that 2-0 lead would be the only lead the Blue Jays would hold on the night. The Cardinals scored 2 of their own in the 3rd when Stephen Piscotty ripped a RBI single up the middle followed by Alex Mejia scoring on a Casey Lawrence (4.2IP, 10H, 5ER, 2BB, K) wild pitch. They would go on to score three more runs throughout the next two innings, taking a 5-2 lead into the 6th.

Brad Watson relieved Cardinals' starter Kyle Hald (5IP, 6H, 2ER, BB, 4K), throwing the 6th,7th and 8th innings. Dunedin managed to keep it interesting, tapping into Watson for 2 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk and an error. Leading 5-4 going into the 9th, Danny Miranda got the call from the bullpen. Miranda entered the contest with 20.0 IP while compiling an outstanding 0.00 ERA. The lefty continued his streak of allowing no earned runs as he managed to shut the door on the threatening Blue Jays for his 2nd save of the season.

The Cardinals' bats were awake and swinging tonight, collecting 12 hits in the winning effort. Colin Walsh (3-5, RBI, R), Alex Mejia (2-4, RBI), Stephen Piscotty (2-4, 2B, RBI, R) and Nick Longmire (2-4, RBI, R) all had multi-hit nights. Jonathan Rodriguez accounted for all three walks that the Dunedin pitching staff issued in the contest.

The two teams will play game three of a four game series tomorrow, 6:35 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium. Cardinals' left-hander Tyler Melling (1-2, 5.79 ERA) is set to throw against right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-1, 2.67 ERA).

For more information on the Palm Beach Cardinals please visit www.palmbeachcardinals.com or call 561-799-1391.

WP: Hald (2-5) LP: Lawrence (3-6) S: Miranda (2)