Cardinals Score 9 Unanswered Runs to Defeat Marauders 9-2 and Take Series Victory

JUPITER, FL – Behind a season-high 18 strikeouts on the mound and a season-high 11 walks drawn on offense, the Palm Beach Cardinals (60-39, 23-10) score nine unanswered runs to defeat the Bradenton Marauders (41-60, 12-23) by a final score of 9-2 on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Cardinals become the second team in the Florida State League to reach 60 wins and also take the series over the Marauders by extending their win streak to four games.

After a scoreless first two innings, including a brief rain delay in the bottom of the first, the Marauders would score the first run in the game for the second consecutive night. With Palm Beach starting pitcher Gerardo Salas on the mound, Javier Rivas hit a solo home run to give Bradenton the early 1-0 lead. The Marauders added another solo home run in the top of the fourth inning off the bat of Axiel Plaz to make it a 2-0 deficit for the Cardinals.

Salas finished his start with four innings pitched and the two runs allowed while striking out eight batters in a no-decision.

However, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Cardinals started to change the narrative of the game. After Ian Petrutz led off with a triple, he came around to score as Ross Friedrick brought the run home on a double-play groundout to make it a 2-1 deficit. The Beach Birds went right back to work on offense in the bottom of the fifth. After Anyelo Encarnacion and Lizandro Espinoza reached base to lead off the frame, Brayden Jobert launched his seventh home run of the season, a three-run blast to right-center field, to give the Cardinals their first lead at 4-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Palm Beach sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs which included a two-RBI double by Petrutz, an RBI walk by Friedrick, and a two-RBI single by Cade McGee which expanded the Cardinals' lead to 9-2. For McGee, it was his first professional hit and RBIs.

Meanwhile on the mound, Randel Clemente (W, 2-1) was lights out in relief of Salas and tossed three scoreless innings and earned a season-high seven strikeouts. Michael Watson and Angel Cuenca each tossed a scoreless inning of relief out of the Palm Beach bullpen and the 9-2 score would hold and give the Cardinals the series victory over the Marauders.

The previous water mark for strikeouts by Palm Beach pitching was 17 back on May 22 at Lakeland. Before tonight's game, the season-high for walks drawn was nine on two different occasions as the Cardinals came into tonight with the fewest walks drawn in the entire Florida State League.

Petrutz finished the game by going 2-for-4 with a triple, double, two RBIs, two runs scored, and two walks. Jobert went 2-for-5 at the plate with the three-run home run and a single. Encarnacion and Espinoza each scored two runs. Bryce Madron led the game with four walks drawn and also scored a run.

The Cardinals look to end the series with a fifth-straight win against the Marauders on Sunday, August 4th with first pitch scheduled for noon. After the series finale, Palm Beach will hit the road and take on the Dunedin Blue Jays beginning on Tuesday, August 6th for the start of a six-game series.

***UPCOMING PROMOTIONS AT ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET STADIUM***

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Noble Meyer Bobblehead Giveaway: You won’t want to miss out on two limited-edition collectors’ items. On Saturday, August 10^th, the Jupiter Hammerheads host the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at 6:00 p.m. where the first 500 fans will receive a Noble Meyer mini bobblehead presented by Gordon and Partners. There will also be a special wine-tasting event in our luxury suites which fans 21 and older can be a part of for a special price of $30 per ticket when purchased in advance. The Hammerheads will also wear specialty jerseys which will be auctioned to benefit Vita Nova. Fans have the option of purchasing a guaranteed bobblehead package for $40 by clicking here which gets you both mini bobbleheads and a reserved box ticket to both games. Visit the ticket office or call Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for more information.

Women Run the Diamond: Come to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for “Women Run the Diamond Night” on Saturday, August 17^th when the Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals take the field at 6:00 p.m. There will be a women expo beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a chance to meet-and-greet women throughout the game and industry. Nominate women of the community by going to rogerdeanchevroletstadium.com/women-run-the-diamond with six winners being selected to be recognized before the game and treated to a suite and behind-the-scenes tour.

Baseball and Brews: Combine beer and baseball for “Baseball and Brews Night” presented by Southern Eagle Distributing on Saturday, August 24^th when the Jupiter Hammerheads host the Daytona Tortugas at 6:00 p.m. With a special $30 ticket ($35 at the gate), it includes admittance to the craft beer tasting event from 5:00-7:00 p.m., souvenir tasting mug, and a seat at the game. Plus, there will be fireworks after the game.

Dog Day: Be sure to bring your dog to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for the final “Dog Day” of 2024 on Friday, August 30^th when the Palm Beach Cardinals host the Daytona Tortugas at 6:30 p.m. All dogs get in free if their owners have a game ticket.

Masyn Winn Bobblehead Giveaway: On Saturday, August 31^st, the Palm Beach Cardinals host the Daytona Tortugas at 6:00 p.m. where the first 500 fans will receive a Masyn Winn mini bobblehead presented by Window Gang. Fans have the option of purchasing a guaranteed bobblehead package for $40 by clicking here which gets you both mini bobbleheads and a reserved box ticket to both games. Visit the ticket office or call Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for more information.

Dollar Night: End the season on a night dedicated to dollar deals and baseball for “Dollar Night” at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Saturday, September 7^th at 6:00 p.m. when the Palm Beach Cardinals and the Jupiter Hammerheads hit the diamond.

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.