Bats Go Silent as Miracle Shut Out Cardinals

Jupiter, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (14-13) only mustered five hits as they fell 3-0 to the Fort Myers Miracle (16-11).

The Rundown

Jacob Evans (2-1) received the loss despite tossing eight innings of three run baseball (two earned). He struck out four, walked one and only gave up six hits on the evening.

Casey Turgeon got the first hit of the game in the first inning, but Grayson would end the inning by grounding into a 4-3 double play up the middle.

Fort Myers got the lead early in the second inning and never surrendered it the rest of the night. Trey Vavra started the inning with a double to left and reached third the next at bat as Alex Swim singled to right. Evans would then get Alex Real to strike out swinging, but Logan Wade would bring Vavra in on a Sacrifice Fly to left. The Miracle would take a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals would get another chance in the third as Mikey Reynolds reached on a throwing error by Wade and would reach second on a stolen base. Tyler Jay would then strike out Turgeon and Blake Drake to squander the opportunity.

The fourth would be another opportunity for the Cardinals to tie the game as Casey Grayson started the inning off with a single up the middle. Orlando Olivera would then strike out and Oscar Mercado would ground into a 643 double play to end the inning.

The fifth would see a one out single by catcher, Steve Bean, but Seferina would line into a 9 to 3 double play ending yet another opportunity for Palm Beach.

Fort Myers would then score two in the sixth to give them some insurance. Sean Miller would reach on a fielding error by Oscar Mercado. Edgar Corcino would then single to left field. Jacob Evans would then walk Chris Paul to load the bases. Jacob Evans would then bring in a run by hitting Vavra on a 0-2 pitch. Alex Swim would drive in the final run of the game on a Sac Fly to left.

The bottom of the seventh would be the last time that the Cardinals would get an opportunity to score. Olivera would receive a one out walk and Mercado would follow with a single through the hole a short. The Miracle would then bring in Brandon Peterson to relief Tyler Jay. Peterson would get Andrew Sohn to line out to left and then would walk the bases loaded as he gave a free pass to Bean. Seferina would then end the inning by hitting a dribbler right back to the pitcher.

The Cardinals would not record another hit the rest of the evening against Peterson and Luke Bard.

Stat of the Game

3 - The Cardinals hit into three double plays on the night squandering numerous opportunities early in the game to get a run across.

Notes

• Cardinals were shut out for the second time this season.
• Evans tossed a season high eight innings in the loss.
• The contest was the quickest game this season by Palm Beach at 1:55.
• Mercado had his ninth error of the season when he bobbled one at short in the sixth inning.
• Evans recorded his first loss on the season.

Next Up

The Jupiter Hammerheads will return to Roger Dean Stadium as the Cardinals will play host to them tomorrow evening. The Cardinals will send Matt Pearce (2-0) to the mound as Jupiter will counter with Luis Castillo (3-1). First pitch is set for 6:30.