Sloppy Start, Bullpen Woes Costly in 9-3 Loss
Jupiter commits 4 errors, but none during 4-run 6th
After battling to overcome an error-filled start, Jupiter watched its bullpen give up six runs as Palm Beach ran away with a 9-3 win to take the lead in the annual Fins & Feathers Series.
The Hammerheads and Cardinals, the only two teams in Minor League Baseball to share a stadium, entered the game with the season series tied at six games apiece, but it seemed neither team wanted to take this one at first.
Jupiter committed three errors in the 2nd inning, while Palm Beach starter Kevin Siegrist walked six batters and only got five outs. Their combined miscues left the game 3-3 after two frames.
Palm Beach got all three of their runs in the 2nd, with Robert Stock's walk and Rainel Rosario's single setting up Adam Melker for a sacrifice bunt attempt. Melker put the ball down the third base line, but rehabbing Marlins player Donnie Murphy threw the ball off of Melker and towards the bullpens, allowing both runners to score and Melker to reach third. Melker then scored on a sacrifice fly.
That made it 3-1 after Jupiter failed to take full advantage of Siegrist's inability to find the plate. The left-hander walked three batters in the first, but one was picked off and Murphy went down swinging. So when Rand Smith doubled through the left side, it only plated one run.
The Hammerheads returned from their three-error performance in the top of the 2nd to find Siegrist with no better command. After two more walks sandwiched a single to load the bases, Murphy got his first RBI as a Hammerhead by drawing Siegrist's sixth walk of the night. Sergio Pedroza's base hit followed and tied the game 3-3.
That's how it remained through four innings, as John Omahen exited his first start. Drafted just this year, the right-hander went four innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on a hit and three walks, filling in for the disabled Matt Montgomery.
His start would prove to be the highlight for a pitching staff coming off back-to-back shutouts, as the bullpen proved anything but unstoppable. Starlin Rodriguez greeted reliever Graham Johnson by crushing his first pitch well over the left field wall.
The next inning, Palm Beach feasted on both Johnson and A.J. Battisto to the tune of four runs. Johnson gave up a lead-off double and, after getting an out, offered up singles to the next two batters, plating a run and leaving with runners on the corners. Battisto was no better, giving up an RBI single to Greg Garcia and a two-run double to Kyle Conley.
Things might have gotten even worse if not for a highlight reel catch by center fielder Rand Smith. Smith's diving catch to snag a dying ball in short center was so unexpected that Conley was running home all the way. After showing that he did indeed make the grab, Smith simply tossed the ball in to second for the inning-ending double play.
With the win, Palm Beach takes the lead in the season series 7-6, though the teams meet five more times in the final 14 games of the season. It's the Cardinals 101st win all-time against Jupiter.
Having won the opener, the Hammerheads will try to take this set and even the season series with a win on Sunday. Chad James, the Marlins' top pitching prospect, will take on the Cardinals' Tyler Lyons, one start removed from tossing the first no-hitter in Palm Beach history. Jupiter will switch back to playing as the visitors in a 6:35 p.m. start at the teams' shared home, Roger Dean Stadium.
The Hammerheads and Cardinals, the only two teams in Minor League Baseball to share a stadium, entered the game with the season series tied at six games apiece, but it seemed neither team wanted to take this one at first.
Jupiter committed three errors in the 2nd inning, while Palm Beach starter Kevin Siegrist walked six batters and only got five outs. Their combined miscues left the game 3-3 after two frames.
Palm Beach got all three of their runs in the 2nd, with Robert Stock's walk and Rainel Rosario's single setting up Adam Melker for a sacrifice bunt attempt. Melker put the ball down the third base line, but rehabbing Marlins player Donnie Murphy threw the ball off of Melker and towards the bullpens, allowing both runners to score and Melker to reach third. Melker then scored on a sacrifice fly.
That made it 3-1 after Jupiter failed to take full advantage of Siegrist's inability to find the plate. The left-hander walked three batters in the first, but one was picked off and Murphy went down swinging. So when Rand Smith doubled through the left side, it only plated one run.
The Hammerheads returned from their three-error performance in the top of the 2nd to find Siegrist with no better command. After two more walks sandwiched a single to load the bases, Murphy got his first RBI as a Hammerhead by drawing Siegrist's sixth walk of the night. Sergio Pedroza's base hit followed and tied the game 3-3.
That's how it remained through four innings, as John Omahen exited his first start. Drafted just this year, the right-hander went four innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on a hit and three walks, filling in for the disabled Matt Montgomery.
His start would prove to be the highlight for a pitching staff coming off back-to-back shutouts, as the bullpen proved anything but unstoppable. Starlin Rodriguez greeted reliever Graham Johnson by crushing his first pitch well over the left field wall.
The next inning, Palm Beach feasted on both Johnson and A.J. Battisto to the tune of four runs. Johnson gave up a lead-off double and, after getting an out, offered up singles to the next two batters, plating a run and leaving with runners on the corners. Battisto was no better, giving up an RBI single to Greg Garcia and a two-run double to Kyle Conley.
Things might have gotten even worse if not for a highlight reel catch by center fielder Rand Smith. Smith's diving catch to snag a dying ball in short center was so unexpected that Conley was running home all the way. After showing that he did indeed make the grab, Smith simply tossed the ball in to second for the inning-ending double play.
With the win, Palm Beach takes the lead in the season series 7-6, though the teams meet five more times in the final 14 games of the season. It's the Cardinals 101st win all-time against Jupiter.
Having won the opener, the Hammerheads will try to take this set and even the season series with a win on Sunday. Chad James, the Marlins' top pitching prospect, will take on the Cardinals' Tyler Lyons, one start removed from tossing the first no-hitter in Palm Beach history. Jupiter will switch back to playing as the visitors in a 6:35 p.m. start at the teams' shared home, Roger Dean Stadium.