Cards Fall To Mets in Extras

Jupiter, FL - Palm Beach (36-44, 4-7) dropped a close on in the tenth inning of Sunday's contest as they lost to the St. Lucie Mets (41-37, 5-5) by a final of 4-2.

The Rundown

Ian McKinney gave up an early two run lead to the Mets in the first inning, but settled down to pitch a quality start. McKinney went 6.2 innings, giving up 2 runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out four. St. Lucie jumped to a quick lead in the first inning. Jonathan Johnson got things started with a one-out single to center, Vinny Sienna reached on a hit by pitch. Kevin Taylor singled in Johnson and Wuilmer Becerra followed it up by driving in Sienna to take the 2-0 lead after one.

Palm Beach got one back in the third to make it a 2-1 game. Darren Seferina drew a one-out walked and Andrew Brodbeck got hit on the next pitch. Blake Drake hit a fly ball to center for out number two. Casey Grayson then hit a ball up the middle that Luis Guillorme made a play on, but bobbled, allowing Seferina to score from second.

The Cardinals then tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh. Brodbeck drew a two out walk and stole second. Drake struck out looking. Grayson came up with two outs and hit a line drive to left allowing Brodbeck to score from second, knotting the game at two apiece.

Neither team could score in the eighth nor ninth, so they played extra innings. In the first extra frame, the Mets scored two runs off Landon Beck. Kevin Taylor hit the one out single and Michael Katz came in to pinch run for him. Katz later stole second to get into scoring position. John Mora walked and Thucker Tharp followed it up with a two-out single to score Katz and take the lead. Guillorme then hit a ground ball to Brodbeck, who threw the ball low and allowed Mora to score from second on the error. Beck then ended the tenth by striking out Lednier Ricardo. The Mets took the 4-2 lead to the bottom of the tenth.

The Mets sent their closer, Corey Taylor, to the mound in the bottom of the tenth. Drake grounded out to Guillorme at short and Grayson followed it up with a ground out to first. Cole Lankford tried to start a rally by singling to left. Thomas Spitz also hit a single through the left side to put the go ahead run at the plate. Orlando Olivera struck out swinging to end the game, as the Cardinals lost by a final of 4-2 to the Mets.

Stat of the Game

2 - Palm Beach only had two hits in eleven chances with runners in scoring position.

Notes

• Palm Beach lost their seventh game in extras, pushing their record to 3-7 in such games.
• The Cardinals had three stolen bases on the evening, running their total over the past two games to eight.
• Casey Grayson recorded his 29^th RBI of the season.

 

Next Up

The Palm Beach Cardinals will be the road team in their own stadium as they begin a three game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads. Tomorrow night will conclude the two night celebration known as Mega Bash. First Pitch is set for 6:00 and the gates open at 4:30.