Cardinals Fall To Mets 6-4

JUPITER, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals fell in the series finale to the St. Lucie Mets 6-4 on Saturday night at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida State League action. The Cardinals out-hit the Mets, but left 11 runners on base throughout the game.

St. Lucie (63-62) drew first blood on Saturday night by striking for two runs in the third inning to gain the early advantage. Maikis De La Cruz reached on a single, while Amed Rosario reached on a fielder's choice with an error that allowed De La Cruz to be safe at second. Lednier Recardo then moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt as Victor Cruzado was able to follow with a two-RBI double to open the scoring.

Palm Beach (69-56) was able to get one of the runs back in the fourth inning when Collin Radack was able to score. Radack reached on a walk then advanced to second with a stolen base. Carson Kelly was then able to drive Radack home with a single to right field to make it 3-1 through four innings.

The Mets were able to extend their advantage to four runs in the sixth inning with a big three-run four-hit trip to the plate. Cruzado was able to lead off the inning with a walk then advanced to third on a single by Jeff McNeil. David Wright then followed with a RBI-groundout to plate Cruzado. Dominic Smith then scored McNeil with a single. Matt Oberste continued the attack with a double to adavance Smith to third, who then scored after a single from Stefan Sabol.

St. Lucie would then plate its final run in the ninth inning after a double and two walks loaded the bases. Ricardo scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-1.

The Cardinals attempted to rally in their final trip to the plate with three runs on four hits, two of which went for extra bases. C.J. McElroy led the frame off with a single and advanced to second on a wild throw. Breyvic Valera was then able to plate McElroy with a triple to the power alley in right-center field. Mason Katz then drove in Valera with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to cut the lead to 6-3. Radack kept the rally alive with a two-out single then scored a batter later after a double down the left field line from Luke Voit. The Mets were then prompted to make a pitching change as Jimmy Duff entered the game and picked up the one-out save by striking out Danny Diekroeger.

Voit led the Cardinals offensively on Saturday, going 3 for 5 with a RBI. McElroy also added a multi-hit performance going 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Scarlyn Reyes (2-1) was the winning pitcher for the Mets, while Luis Perdomo (0-2) took the loss for Palm Beach. Perdomo allowed five runs, four earned, on five hits with a walk and one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings pitched tonight. Keith Butler looked impressive out of the bullpen tonight as he allowed just three hits while striking out four in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Lee Stoppelman pitched the final frame and allowed one run on one hit with two walks while fanning one batter.

The Palm Beach Cardinals return to Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. as they begin a three-game set with the second-place Bradenton Marauders.. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com. Also follow the Palm Beach Cardinals on Facebook and Twitter (@GoPBCardinals) for updates and news around the ballpark.