Wentz Shines in Extra-Innings Loss to Palm Beach

JUPITER, Fla. (April 13, 2018) - The Florida Fire Frogs continued to search for runs in a 1-0 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals in 10 innings to open up a three-game series at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The shutout was the second against the Fire Frogs this season, and was the sixth game to be decided by two runs or less in 2018.

Palm Beach (6-3) scored the lone run of the game in the 10th after Andy Young started the extra frame at second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by J.B. Woodman off of Jon Kennedy (1-1), that saw the throw go to third, but not get the runner to put men at the corners.
Sean McLaughlin came in and intentionally walked Ryan McCarvel to load the bases. The right-hander got a ground ball to Ray-Patrick Didder at short, who's throw to the plate was in time for the first out, but Lucas Herbert's throw to first sailed wide of the target, allowing Woodman to score the winning run.
Joey Wentz allowed Chase Pinder to reach second base after singling in the first inning, but did not have a Cardinal reach scoring position through his remaining four frames. The Pinder single was the only hit surrendered by the left-hander through his five frames, The 20-year-old picked up three of his six strikeouts in the fourth inning, and walked just one man in his second start of the season.
Devan Watts relieved the southpaw and bounced back from his last appearance on April 7 against the Daytona Tortugas in which he allowed four runs in 2.2 innings. Friday saw the North Carolina native toss two scoreless frames with one hit allowed along with a walk and a strikeout.
Florida (2-7) had a chance to grab the late lead with a two-out rally in the eighth. Didder (1x3) reached on an infield single with two outs to extend the inning for Herbert (1x3). After a steal of second by Didder, Herbert shot a single into right. Didder broke for home, but was thrown out by Johan Mieses to keep the game scoreless.
Florida will look to even the series up at a game apiece in game two of the three-game set on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. RHP Ian Anderson (0-0, 7.36) gets the call for Luis Salazar against LHP Austin Warner (0-0, 3.86). First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.
Florida returns to Osceola County Stadium for a seven-game homestand beginning Tuesday, April 17 against the St. Lucie Mets and Lakeland Flying Tigers. The seven games feature Los Coquis Night on April 19, and Superhero Night on April 21.
For ticket and promotional information, please visit floridafirefrogs.com.
About the Florida Fire Frogs
The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
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