Cardinals Bounce Back to Defeat Hammerheads 5-4 on Friday Night

JUPITER, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (45-34, 8-5) come back and hold on to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads by a final score of 5-4 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the win, the Cardinals force a rubber match in the series finale on Saturday as they try to win their third series against Jupiter in 2024.

For the second consecutive night, the Hammerheads got on the scoreboard first. Palm Beach starting pitcher Chen-Wei Lin ran into some trouble with two outs in the top of the second inning. After two-straight walks allowed, Lin surrendered back-to-back-to-back RBI singles by Cristhian Rodriguez, Colby Shade, and Junior Sanchez to give the Hammerheads an early 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals had an answer a littler later in the bottom of the third inning off of Jupiter starting pitcher Keyner Benitez (L, 0-2). After Chase Adkison led off with a double, Lizandro Espinoza drove him in on an RBI groundout which cut the deficit to 3-1. Palm Beach went right back to work in the bottom of the fourth inning. After three consecutive singles to begin the frame, Adkison drew an RBI walk and Ross Friedrick smacked a ground-rule, two-RBI double to give the Cardinals the 4-3 lead.

The Cardinals capped off their run production in the ballgame thanks to Espinoza's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning which made it a 5-3 game in favor of Palm Beach.

Lin finished his start with four innings pitched and three runs allowed in his third no-decision against Jupiter this year. Meanwhile, Hunter Hayes (W, 2-1) came out of the Palm Beach bullpen and tossed four scoreless innings and allowed.

Jupiter threatened with a comeback in the top of the ninth inning against Cardinals' relief pitcher Henry Gomez (Sv, 5) by scoring a run on an RBI groundout by Rodriguez but Palm Beach held on for the 5-4 victory on Friday night.

Espinoza and Friedrick led the Cardinals' offense with two RBIs each. Hayes has not allowed a run in his last three appearances out of the bullpen with a combined 11 innings pitched.

The Cardinals and Hammerheads will conclude the series and the week with the rubber match on Saturday, July 6th with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Hunter Kublick (1-2, 4.81 ERA) will get the start on the mound for Palm Beach against Jake Brooks (7-1, 1.57 ERA) for Jupiter. Click here to purchase your tickets for "Mascot Mania" as "Robbie the Redbird" and "Hammy" and several of their mascot friends are celebrated at the ballpark.

Silver Sluggers Program: Want to beat every early-bird special in Palm Beach County? Fans 55 and up can click here to become a member of the Silver Sluggers program which gets you a ticket to every Wednesday Florida State League game, a chance to win prizes in baseball bingo, an official Silver Sluggers T-shirt, a team store discount, and a free hot dog and soda at the ballpark.

Thirsty Thursday: All fans 21 and up can click here to become a part of Thirsty Thursdays at The Dean. For $75, fans get a reserved box seat to every Thursday Florida State League game and a special koozie which gets you access to $1, $2, and $3 drink specials.

Kids Club: Kids can click here take part in the best entertainment deal in Palm Beach County. For $30, members receive tickets to every Saturday Florida State League game, a free hot dog and soda at the game, an official Kids Club T-shirt, a team store discount, and a chance to run the bases after the game.

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.