Cardinals Fall Short 8-6
JUPITER, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals came up short on Thursday night as they dropped an 8-6 decision to the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals now hold a game advantage with three games remaining in the Florida State League South Division 2nd Half standings.
Jupiter (66-71) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in just two trips to the plate. The Hammerheads used four consecutive singles to start the game along with a one-out two-RBI single to plate their first three runs in the first.
Palm Beach (73-62) responded in the bottom half of the second with three runs to crawl within one of Jupiter. The first two runs came courtesy of a two-run home run by Carson Kelly. Blake Drake was able to score the final run of the frame after reaching on an error then stealing second to move into scoring position. C.J. McElroy Jr. was able to drive Drake home with a RBI single through the hole at shortstop to make it 4-3.
The Cardinals then tied the game at four in their next trip to the plate with a single from Luke Voit followed by a RBI double from Mason Katz. The trend would continue in the fourth as the Beach Birds would add another run to take a 5-4 lead. Palm Beach would not need a ball to leave the infield to the plate the run as it used a walk, bunt-single, sacrifice but and RBI ground out from McElroy to score Allen Staton, who reached on the walk.
The Hammerheads would then immediately answer with three runs in the top of the fifth to re-take the lead 7-5 and add another in the seventh to gain a three-run advantage late in the contest.
The Redbirds went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 8-5, but still were able to put a scare into the Hammerheads. After two quick out, Casey Turgeon was able to draw a walk to start the surge. Collin Radack was then hit with the next pitch to bring the tying run to the plate in the form of Voit. Voit would hit a grounder through the hole at shortstop to bring the Cardinals within two runs and bring the winning run to the plate. Palm Beach would not finish the rally, though, as Katz would fly out to deep left field to end the game.
Katz led the Beach Birds offensively finishing 3 for 5 with a RBI and run scored. Voit and Robelys Reyes also added two hits each for the Cardinals. Voit scored a run and had an RBI as well.
Ben Holmes (3-1) was the winning pitcher for Jupiter, while Luis Perdomo (1-3) took the loss for Palm Beach. Friday night, Luke Weaver is scheduled to pitch for the Cardinals, while the Hammerheads will be sending Jeff Brigham to the hill. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com. Also follow the Palm Beach Cardinals on Facebook and Twitter (@GoPBCardinals) for updates and news around the ballpark.