Petrick takes no-hit bid into the 8th, Cards win 5-0

JUPITER, FL- Palm Beach starting pitcher Zach Petrick was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent in June of last season. Tonight, just over a year later, the 23-year-old took a no-hitter into the 8th inning for the Advanced-A Palm Beach Cardinals. Guiding his team to a 5-0 shutout of the Marauders that capped off a three game series sweep at Roger Dean Stadium.

It was not until the top of the 8th when Bradenton's leadoff batter Stetson Allie (1-2, BB) broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single to right field. The pitching trio of Robert Stock (0.2 IP), Jordan Swagerty (0.2 IP, 3BB) and Ronnie Shaban (0.1 IP, K) finished the remaining 1 and 2/3 innings, holding the Marauders hitless for the combined 1-hitter.

After tonight's stellar outing (7.1IP, 1H, 2BB, 6K), Zack Petrick sits on a miniscule 0.27 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched with Palm Beach this season. "I felt great out there, I realized my curveball wasn't on early, so I worked in my changeup and relied on that as my out pitch throughout the night." said Petrick.

The Morris, Illinois native compiled seven straight 1-2-3 innings, in large part to the three double plays turned by his defense. "I haven't had that many starts this season, anything that would limit my pitch count during the game was going to help out. The guys behind me were great tonight."

In his first full year of professional baseball between Mid-A Peoria and Advanced-A Palm Beach, Petrick has tossed 66 innings while giving up a mere 4 earned runs. "Confidence has played a huge role in my success so far, I showed up in Peoria and had a few good outings there which really helped out with that."

 "Once you get that confidence you don't worry about too many things. I've just been riding this groove I've been in which has worked out pretty well so far."

The Cardinals got on the board in the bottom of the second thanks to a solo homer from catcher Jesus Montero (2-4, 2B, HR, RBI, R), his first of the season. The squad extended their 1-0 lead in the fifth, plating four runs on a three-run home run from David Popkins (2-4, 3B, HR, 3RBI, R) and an RBI-ground out from Danny Stienstra (0-3, BB, RBI).

With the win tonight, the Palm Beach Cardinals extend their win-streak to 5 games while improving to 13-7 on the second half, first in the Florida State League.

Tomorrow, the Cardinals will begin a four game set against the Brevard County Manatees (11-8). LHP Jay Voss (1-3, 12.23 ERA) is slated to throw for the Cardinals against Manatee's RHP Chad Pierce (4-3, 3.53 ERA).

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

WP: Petrick (3-0) LP: Dodson (1-7)