Cardinals Bounce Back with 3-2 Victory over Dunedin Wednesday Night
JUPITER, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (31-22) held on to defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays (26-27) by a final score of 3-2 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It was also the fastest game of the season at one hour and 52 minutes. After Cardinals' starting pitcher
JUPITER, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (31-22) held on to defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays (26-27) by a final score of 3-2 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It was also the fastest game of the season at one hour and 52 minutes.
After Cardinals' starting pitcher Darlin Saladin (W, 3-0) tossed a scoreless top of the first inning, Palm Beach got to work offensively in the bottom of the frame. Sammy Hernandez hit a double and Miguel Villarroel hit a single with one out to put runners at the corners. Chase Adkison then got the first run home on an RBI fielder's choice off of his former Oklahoma State teammate and Dunedin starting pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown (L, 1-4) to give Palm Beach a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Saladin was cruising through the next four innings until he can into some trouble in the top of the sixth inning. Marcos de la Rosa led off with a bunt single for Dunedin and later with one out Manuel Beltre singled and advanced to third base to put runners at second and third base. Saladin was called for a balk to bring in the first Dunedin run. Kekai Rios followed that with an RBI groundout and Dunedin took their first lead at 2-1.
However, Palm Beach was quick with a response in the bottom of the frame. Trey Paige led off with a single to left field and Hernandez reached on an error to put runners at first and second base. Three batters later with two outs, Chase Davis provided the key piece of offense with his two-RBI double to give the Cardinals the lead back at 3-2.
Saladin finished with a career-high seven innings pitched and allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters. It is the second time that a Palm Beach starter has finished seven innings with the other being Chen-Wei Lin back on April 28th at Fort Myers. It was announced earlier today that Saladin was named the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May where he allowed just two earned runs in five starts.
Palm Beach relief pitchers Packy Naughton (H, 1; MLB Rehab) and Zack Showalter (Sv, 4) tossed two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth and held on for the 3-2 victory in game two of this six-game series.
Villarroel, who earlier today was named the Florida State League Player of the Month for May, led the way by going 3-for-4 with a triple and accounted for three of the Cardinals' six hits. Hernandez finished 1-for-3 with a double and a walk and scored two of the three Palm Beach runs.
With the series tied at one game each, the Cardinals continue their series against the Blue Jays with game three of six on Thursday, June 6th with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. as Ixan Henderson (3-1, 2.76 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for Palm Beach.
MEGABASH: Celebrate America’s birthday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for MegaBash on July 3rd and 4th when the Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads hit the diamond. Click here to purchase tickets for Wednesday, July 3rd. Click here to purchase tickets for the July 4th game. Don’t miss the biggest bash in Abacoa with fireworks going off after both games!
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.