Cardinals fall in extras to Lakeland

The Cardinals erased a four-run deficit, but it wasn't enough as Lakeland exploded for nine 10th inning runs in a 15-7 defeat. 
Andy Young put the Cardinals on the board in the second inning with a solo home run, it was his 11th of the season. Two inning later, Brian O'Keefe joined in on the fun and hit a solo home run of his own, his third.
Through four innings, starter Jesus Cruz kept the Flying Tigers on the ground and off the scoreboard. However, his final pitch of the afternoon was hit over the fence by Isaac Paredes and tied up the ballgame at two. Cruz struck six and allowed four hits in 4 ⅔ innings.
Lakeland added to its lead in the sixth with three more runs and scored one more in the seventh on a solo home run to extend its lead to 6-2.

Then, as they have done much this season, the Beach Birds came back.
The Cardinals scored four runs with two outs with Shane Billings and Stefan Trosclair each driving home a pair of runs with singles.
The game would go into extras where Lakeland strung together eight straight hits en route to a nine run inning.
Infielder Taylor Bryant and his knuckleball made an appearance on the mound in the 10th. The California native recorded a groundout before striking out the final hitter of the frame.
Chase Pinder led the way for Palm Beach with four hits and a walk.
Shane Billings added three hits with Andy Young contributing two hits and a walk of his own.
The teams will face off in the rubber match on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM.