Cardinals Surrender 10 Unanswered Runs in 10-8 Loss to Mets Friday Night

JUPITER, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (40-32, 3-3) give up 10 unanswered runs to the St. Lucie Mets (24-49, 2-5) after leading at one point in the game 8-0 and lost by a final score of 10-8 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the largest lead surrendered by Palm Beach this season and the Cardinals suffer just their 10th loss after scoring first.

After back-to-back games with the Mets scoring first, the Cardinals struck first in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Jose Cordoba hit a solo home run to left field, his third home run of the season, which gave Palm Beach the early 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals would add to their lead in a big way in the bottom of the third inning. With two runners on and one out, Chase Davis smacked his sixth home run of the year, a three-run shot, to right field to make it a 4-0 lead. Anyelo Encarnacion and Ross Friedrick later hit RBI singles which gave the Cardinals a 6-0 lead. Five runs scored in the frame on six hits and 10 batters came to the plate. Davis would add two more runs for the Cardinals in the bottom of the fourth thanks to his two-RBI double which put the Cardinals on top by a score of 8-0.

Palm Beach starting pitcher Jose Davila would not allow a run through his first five innings on the mound. However, in the top of the sixth inning, the Mets started making noise offensively. Davila was unable to finish the frame as St. Lucie sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs on three hits, one walk, and three hit batters which cut the Palm Beach lead to just 8-6. Davila finished with 5 2/3 innings pitched and five earned runs and got a no-decision.

The game would settle down until the top of the ninth inning. Palm Beach relief pitcher Henry Gomez (L, 3-3, BS, 3) would surrender a solo home run to Estarling Mercado on the first pitch of the inning to make it 8-7. The Mets would load the bases with one out and Kevin Villavicencio drove in two runs on a double hit down the left field line which put St. Lucie in the lead for the first time in the game. The Cardinals had no answer in the bottom of the ninth inning and would suffer the 10-8 defeat to St. Lucie Friday night.

The Cardinals offense had 11 hits in the game but did not register a hit after the fourth inning. Davis led the offense by going 2-for-4 with a home run, double, walk, and five RBIs. Travis Honeyman went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Johnfrank Salazar reached base four times by going 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Palm Beach pitchers hit five Mets hitters which is the most hit-by-pitches allowed in a game this season. The Cardinals came into the game with the fewest HBP allowed in the Florida State League.

With the series tied at two games each, Palm Beach and St. Lucie continue the series with game five on Saturday, June 29th with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Click here to purchase your tickets.

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.