Two Wins in One Night

JUPITER, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals (28 - 32) won both games in tonight's doubleheader to even the season series with the Brevard County Manatees at two games apiece. In game one, the Cardinals shutout the Manatees, defeating them 3 - 0. In game two, the Beach Birds won in walk-off fashion after the Manatees scored the tying run in the top of the seventh. Jake Gronsky hit game two's game winning RBI.

In game one of tonight's doubleheader, Alex Reyes got the start for Palm Beach, his eleventh start this season. He pitched five innings, walked four, and whiffed eight. He started off slow by walking three batters in the first inning. After he struck out the last batter to get out of the bases loaded jam, the Cardinals found their stride the next half inning after Derek Gibson hit a RBI force out to score C.J. McElroy Jr. In the bottom of the sixth, McElroy added two insurance runs with a standup double.

After five innings, Kevin Herget entered the game to throw the last two frames of game one, earning his second save of the season. He allowed two hits and struck out four in his outing.

In game two, Rob Kaminsky got the start and went six innings, allowing one run on three hits. He struck out five and walked one but had to work with a lot of base runners because the Beach Birds committed four errors. Despite the errors, Palm Beach handled the damage with two double plays that were turned in the second and fifth inning.

Kaminsky took to the mound in the top of the seventh to complete the game, but was relieved after giving up a double and a single to the lead off batters. After the run scored, Josh Lucas came to the mound with no outs to try and hold the Manatees from scoring again. The Cardinals did just that after Victor Roache was waved home on Rafael Neda's single to centerfield. McElroy threw the ball perfectly to the plate setting up Jose Godoy to make the tag. Lucas induced a fly out to left field to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brevard's Preston Gainey issued a leadoff walk to Godoy. Godoy moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Casey Turgeon, and then advanced to third on McElroy's single. With runners on the corners, Brett Wiley was issued a walk, loading the bases for Jake Gronsky. On the first pitch he saw, Gronsky hit the ball to deep centerfield, ending the game in a 2 - 1, walk-off fashion victory.   

The Cardinals will play their next series on the road, as they travel north to take on the St. Lucie Mets in a three game series. They will return to Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, June 15, to host the Dunedin Blue Jays in a four game series. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com.