7-Run Seventh Inning Powers Comeback for 8-2 Palm Beach Win Over St. Lucie
The Palm Beach Cardinals (21-15) scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to power them to victory over the St. Lucie Mets (12-24) by a final score of 8-2 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the third-straight win for the Cardinals who maintain
The Palm Beach Cardinals (21-15) scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to power them to victory over the St. Lucie Mets (12-24) by a final score of 8-2 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the third-straight win for the Cardinals who maintain second place in the FSL East Division.
The Cardinals struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Trey Paige led off with an infield single and later made his way to third base. With one out, Chase Adkison drove in Paige on an RBI groundout to take the early 1-0 lead.
The Mets got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when, with one out, Jesus Baez launched a solo home run to quickly tie the game at 1-1.
Both offenses settled down after that as Cardinals starting pitcher Jason Savacool finished with five innings pitched, one run allowed, and struck out a season-high six batters but did not earn a decision. He was matched by Mets starting pitcher Ernesto Mercedes with five innings of one run ball of his own who also earned a no-decision.
The seventh inning was when things got interesting for both teams. In the top of the frame with Ixan Henderson (W, 3-1) on the mound for Palm Beach, the Mets took their first lead on an RBI single by Boston Baro which made it 2-1.
However, Palm Beach would erupt for the biggest offensive inning of the season in the bottom of the frame. 10 Cardinals batters came to the plate and a season-high seven runs were scored highlighted by an RBI double by Miguel Villarroel, an RBI single by Jose Cordoba, and a two-run home run by Ross Friedrick to give Palm Beach a comfortable 8-2 lead.
Henry Gomez came out of the Palm Beach bullpen for two scoreless innings on the mound and shut the door on the third-straight victory for the Cardinals winning tonight by the final score of 8-2. For St. Lucie, their losing streak increases to 12 games which is the longest active losing streak in all of minor league baseball.
Villarroel extended his hitting streak to seven games having a hit in 13 of his last 14 games and finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Friedrick hit his second home run of the season and it was just the third home run that the Cardinals have hit at home in 2024. Unfortunately for Johnfrank Salazar, his hit streak comes to an end at eight games after finishing 0-for-2 tonight with two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a run scored.
The second half of the six-game series between Palm Beach and St. Lucie begins with game four on Friday, May 17th with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Click here to purchase your tickets.
About Jupiter Stadium, LTD:
Opening in 1998, the 110-acre complex/stadium is specially designed to house two Major League and two Minor League Baseball Teams. The stadium is home to the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training. The Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Class A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) make their home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium from April through September. This year-round facility can accommodate the smallest birthday party to the largest corporate outing, while never forgetting that each and every fan is our most important product.