Palm Beach Drops Fifth Straight Game

Jupiter, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals overcame a three-run deficit against the Charlotte Stone Crabs but couldn't take control of the game, losing 5-3 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals have lost five straight games dating back to April 13 when the team lost to the Stone Crabs in 14 innings at Charlotte Sports Park.

Charlie Tilson provided three hits and a run while Anthony Garcia collected a pair of hits and an RBI to lead the Cardinals at the plate.

The Stone Crabs (5-9) jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Cardinals were quick to respond in the fourth inning. Tilson legged out an infield single and Matt Williams followed with a walk to start the inning. A Charlotte error allowed each runner to advance 90 feet and Breyvic Valera and Jacob Wilson took care of the rest. Valera hit an RBI groundout and Wilson drove a deep fly ball to right to plate Williams on the sacrifice. Starlin Rodriguez and Anthony Garcia hit back-to-back doubles to even the score at 3-3.

The three-run fourth inning snapped a 23-inning scoring drought for Palm Beach dating back to the seventh inning on April 14 against Bradenton. It was the longest streak of the season for the Birds.

Charlotte tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning off Palm Beach starter Joe Cuda to regain the lead. Patrick Leonard and Kes Carter drove in the runs for the Stone Crabs to put them on top 5-3.

The Cardinals (6-8) had chances to even the score, but left nine runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game.

Palm Beach got runners on the corners with one out in the seventh inning but Valera grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the Cardinals' best threat.

Cuda (0-2) scattered eight hits over 4.2 innings, allowed all five of Charlotte's runs, walked two, and struck out one in the loss. Iden Nazario and Robert Stock finished the game strong, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings in relief of Cuda.

Bruedlin Suero (1-1) picked up the win for Charlotte after allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. The left-hander retired the Cardinals in order the first time through the lineup before running into trouble in the fourth. Kevin Brandt and Parker Markel combined for four scoreless innings out of the Charlotte bullpen to finish the game.

The Cardinals and Crabs will return to action on Friday night for game two of the series at Roger Dean Stadium. LH Kyle Hald (2-0, 2.13) will start for Palm Beach and RH Austin Pruitt (0-1, 7.88) will start for Charlotte. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.