Palm Beach's late rally falls short vs. Daytona

After trailing by as many as five runs, Palm Beach had the tying run in scoring position in the ninth inning but were unable to complete the comeback in a 5-3 loss to Daytona. 
The teams were scorless heading into the third inning until Daytona scored three runs against Palm Beach starter Edgar Gonzalez. The 22-year-old threw just 2 2/3 innings, allowing those three runs and striking out one. 
Daytona's lead grew to five when the visitors plated two more runs in the fifth off Zach Prendergast. 
The Cardinals got on the board in the bottom half of that inning when Luken Baker's two-out single brought in Justin Toerner. Right behind him was Yariel Gonzalez who got thrown out at home after a gorgeous throw from the outfield. 
Daytona was in prime position to score extra insurance runs with the bases loaded and no outs in the seventh, but Patrick Dayton pitched himself out of the jam and kept Daytona off the scoreboard. 
In the eighth, Bryce Denton hit a two-out RBI single that scored Baker and brought Nick Plummer to third, however the throw home was cut off and Denton was thrown out at second base trying to advance, ending the threat and the inning. 
Palm Beach showed signs of life in the ninth, scoring a run and bringing Nick Dunn to the plate with runners on second and third base down two runs. The left-handed hitter hit a two-strike pop up to the shortstop ending the last effort and the game. 
Justin Toener walked twice and Yariel Gonzalez had three hits in the loss. 
Out of the bullpen, Patrick Dayton tossed two scoreless innings followed by Junior Fernandez's scoreless ninth. 
The teams will complete the four game series on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM. Enjoy $1 beer and $2 craft beer specials all night long as part of Let's Have a Party Thursday. Tickets and more information can be found at Rogerdeanchevroletstadium.com.