Cardinals Take Series Finale
The Palm Beach Cardinals scored five unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings to escape an early deficit and defeat the St. Lucie Mets 5-2 on Sunday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Mets scored runs in the third and fifth innings, but Palm Beach took the lead with
The Palm Beach Cardinals scored five unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings to escape an early deficit and defeat the St. Lucie Mets 5-2 on Sunday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
The Mets scored runs in the third and fifth innings, but Palm Beach took the lead with a three-run fifth inning and never looked back. A pair of doubles from Ryan Holgate and Hansel Otamendi tied the contest before Tyler Reichenborn's RBI single put Palm beach up 3-2.
An inning later, Brady Whalen hit his first home run of the season before Jeremy Rivas scored on a wild pitch later in the frame.
Palm Beach's pitching preserved the win. Starter Inohan Paniagua took his first win of the year, going five and 2/3 innings while allowing the two earned runs. The righty struck out seven batters and walked two. Hayes Heinecke tossed two and 1/3 innings while allowing only one baserunner, via walk. And Andre Granillo claimed his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth, needing a double play to escape the final inning with the tying run at the plate.
Sunday's 12:00 p.m. first pitch was the second consecutive win for the Cardinals, who also notched double-digit hits for the second game in a row. Holgate and Reichenborn each went 2-3 Sunday while the shortstop Rivas was a perfect 4-4. The home team was error-free in the win.
The Cardinals leave Palm Beach County and visit the Gulf Coast for a six-game series this upcoming week at the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. First pitch for Tuesday's series opener at Hammond Stadium is 7 p.m.
Palm Beach returns home on May 17 against the Bradenton Marauders.
For Sunday's box score, click here.