Cardnals Sweep Miracle
JUPITER, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals (9 - 5) completed the sweep over the Fort Myers Miracle (5 - 9), defeating them in game three by a score of 7 - 2. This sweep is the second for the Cardinals this season; the first was over the Lakeland Tigers last week in Lakeland. In tonight's win, each Cardinal reached base, three with a multi-hit game.
It was a game of rhythm whether it was the Cardinals offense or defense. The first batter for Fort Myers singled off starting pitcher, Rob Kaminsky (1 - 0), setting an early tone for the Miracle. Kaminsky faced five batters, allowing their leadoff man to cross home plate, his first earned run of the season.
In the bottom of the first, Palm Beach's offensive fed off each other, batting through the entire order. This was the first time that's happened all season. Six Cardinals reached base, and five of those crossed home plate. Robelys Reyes set the pace for Palm Beach, beating out the throw from the second baseman. After stealing second, Bruce Caldwell singled to right, giving Reyes plenty of time to get home. With runners on second and third, Carson Kelly doubled deep to centerfield, adding two more runs for Palm Beach. Ronald Castillo joined the hitting streak, singling into left to score Kelly. The last run of the inning came on a throwing error by Miracle's right fielder, Marcus Knecht.
Since the offense put in their work during in the first inning, the pitching would soon match. After facing five in the first inning, Kaminsky saw 18 more batters through four more innings of work. On the day, Kaminsky earned his first win as a Palm Beach Cardinal, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking two.
Three other Cardinals pitchers entered the game, combining for four total base runners in the last four innings. Steven Sabatino allowed one runner in the sixth, giving up a single to Jason Kanzler. Next to the mound was Chase Brookshire, who faced four, striking out two and giving up one hit. The last Cardinal to see action on the mound was right-hander, Josh Lucas. He closed out the game completing the last two innings by facing seven batters. Lucas was close to retiring the Miracle in order, but hit the second to last batter of the game.
After the Cardinals scored two in the fourth, the productivity of the offense was enough to win the game. Fort Myers tacked on another run in the third, but couldn't get a runner beyond second base for the rest of the game. With the win tonight, the Cardinals move into first place, tying the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
The next two series for the Cardinals will be on the road, with the first stop being in Charlotte to get redemption on the Stone Crabs after being swept at home. Then on Sunday, the Cardinals will head to Fort Myers to face the Miracle again. The next home game for Palm Beach will be Thursday, April 30th with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com.