Cuda guides Palm Beach past Jupiter

JUPITER, FL- Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Cuda orchestrated an impressive start Wednesday night at Roger Dean Stadium, propelling his team to an 8-0 shutout over the Jupiter Hammerheads. The win marked the 7th straight victory for Palm Beach while giving the team sole possession of first place in the FSL South Division.

The Hammerheads bats struggled with Cuda, the right-hander did not give up his first hit until 2-outs in the 4th when Alfredo Lopez (1-4) snuck a ball past Cardinals third baseman Danny Stienstra (2-5, 2B, R) Cuda, a St. Petersburg native, finished the night after 7 solid innings (85 pitches) of 3 hit baseball while fanning 3 batters. The outing marked his best at the Advanced-A level.

Leading 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 5th, second baseman Jacob Wilson (1-4, HR, 3RBI, 2R), ignited the Cardinals offense with a 3-run homer over the left field wall. The blast marked his 17th of the year, 2nd at the Advanced-A level and 2nd in the last 2 games.

Not to be outdone, Cardinals' first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez (2-4, HR, BB, 3RBI) joined the home run action in the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs. The cleanup hitter squeezed a mammoth shot just inside the left field foul pole for his 15th long ball of season and a 7-0 lead.

The recent recipient of the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month and Topps FSL Player of the Month for July, Rodriguez has done more than justify his accolades as of late. The Puerto Rican native has racked up a substantial .432 (16-37) batting average, 13 RBI and 5 home runs in his last 10 games. He has now homered in three consecutive games and in 4 of his last 5.

Palm Beach went on to tally another run in 8th for a 8-0 lead that would ultimately prove to be the final.

Iden Nazario (1.0 IP, 2K) and Logan Billbrough (1.0 IP, H, K) pieced together solid 8th and 9th innings, preserving the shutout.

The two teams will play game two of a three game set tomorrow, 6:35 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium. RHP Kurt Heyer (4-3, 4.22) is set to make the start for Palm Beach against Jupiter's RHP Josh Hodges (4-4, 3.97 ERA).

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

WP: Cuda (2-0) LP: Sanchez (2-2)