Cardinals Drop Finale, 8-4
The Palm Beach Cardinals (28-34) missed various opportunities to take home the series, as they left 11 base runners on base and dropped the finale 8-4 to the Fort Myers Miracle (25-36).
The Cardinals fell behind early, as starter Drew Benes gave up a run in the first and the fifth innings. Despite early problems, the right hander pitched well, tossing six innings, scattering five hits and giving up the two earned runs.
The offense helped in the bottom of the fifth, scoring one to cut the deficit to 2-1. After a double by Starlin Rodriguez and a single by Ronny Gil, Rainel Rosario hit in to fielder's choice to bring in Rodriguez.
The Cardinals would fall three runs back, as the Miracle scored two runs in the seventh to make it 4-1. However, the Cardinals had an answer, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Ildemaro Vargas started things off by reaching on an error. After a walk and hit batter, Rosario grounded into a sure double play, but the third baseman made his third error of the inning, allowing for a run to score. Miracle reliever Edgar Ibarra went back to work setting the next two down via the strikeout, however Luis De La Cruz tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single to right field.
In the eighth inning, the Cardinals got two players on base but Starlin Rodriguez could not excuse a bunt and the Cardinals ended up stranding the two runners. The Miracle used the momentum to score four runs on two hits.
Logan Billbrough walked the leadoff hitter and the door came unglued for the Cardinals as they dropped their second straight game, dropping the series 2-1.
The Cardinals return to action tomorrow night, as they travel to St. Lucie to face the First-Half champion Mets at 6:30 p.m. Anthony Ferrara Jr. (3-4) will take the ball for the Cardinals.
For more information on the Palm Beach Cardinals, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, please call (561) 775-1818 or visit www.palmbeachcardinals.com. For tickets and more information regarding Roger Dean Stadium, please visit www.rogerdeanstadium.com.
The Cardinals fell behind early, as starter Drew Benes gave up a run in the first and the fifth innings. Despite early problems, the right hander pitched well, tossing six innings, scattering five hits and giving up the two earned runs.
The offense helped in the bottom of the fifth, scoring one to cut the deficit to 2-1. After a double by Starlin Rodriguez and a single by Ronny Gil, Rainel Rosario hit in to fielder's choice to bring in Rodriguez.
The Cardinals would fall three runs back, as the Miracle scored two runs in the seventh to make it 4-1. However, the Cardinals had an answer, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Ildemaro Vargas started things off by reaching on an error. After a walk and hit batter, Rosario grounded into a sure double play, but the third baseman made his third error of the inning, allowing for a run to score. Miracle reliever Edgar Ibarra went back to work setting the next two down via the strikeout, however Luis De La Cruz tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single to right field.
In the eighth inning, the Cardinals got two players on base but Starlin Rodriguez could not excuse a bunt and the Cardinals ended up stranding the two runners. The Miracle used the momentum to score four runs on two hits.
Logan Billbrough walked the leadoff hitter and the door came unglued for the Cardinals as they dropped their second straight game, dropping the series 2-1.
The Cardinals return to action tomorrow night, as they travel to St. Lucie to face the First-Half champion Mets at 6:30 p.m. Anthony Ferrara Jr. (3-4) will take the ball for the Cardinals.
For more information on the Palm Beach Cardinals, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, please call (561) 775-1818 or visit www.palmbeachcardinals.com. For tickets and more information regarding Roger Dean Stadium, please visit www.rogerdeanstadium.com.