FSL1 Charlotte Stone Crabs

Cardinals Strike Back with 8-3 Win

Published on April 18, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Charlotte Stone Crabs News Release


JUPITER, FL (April 18, 2014) - This was supposed to be the night where Austin Pruitt picked up his first professional victory. After two unspectacular starts to begin the year, Pruitt finally rediscovered his form from last season and departed the seventh inning of Friday night's game with a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, that's when the Cardinals offense woke from its slumber, finishing with four runs in the frame and two more in the eighth to win 8-3 at Roger Dean Stadium.

Just one night after the ball would not carry in Jupiter, the second game of this three game series was defined by home runs. Starlin Rodriguez immediately made his presence felt as the second man to bat in the first inning when he clubbed a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left to put Palm Beach on top 1-0. Houston native Pruitt didn't make many mistakes the rest of the night, but Rodriguez had only begun what would become a memorable night.

The two out magic persisted for the Stone Crabs in the second after Justin O'Conner singled off Thomas Lee. Josh Sale then sent a sinking line drive into right field, and it caromed off Nick Martini and rolled towards the wall for O'Conner to score to tie the game. Charlotte then got an unlikely longball from third baseman Tyler Goeddel, whose line drive just tucked inside the left field foul pole for a 3-1 lead.

Pruitt's night was initially aided by the Stone Crabs defense, which helped him out in the fourth and fifth. After Martini bounced a grounder off Pruitt's glove, Leonardo Reginatto charged in from shortstop and barehanded a perfect throw across for the third out. In the fifth, David Washington skied an opposite field home run to left to bring the Cardinals back to 3-2. Adam Ehrlich then followed with a one out single, but Pruitt got an inning ending 3-6-3 double play started and finished perfectly by Jonathan Quionez at first base.

Sadly, the defense came undone on one tricky play in the top of the seventh. Pruitt departed with a 3-2 lead after a career-high six and a third innings pitched. D.J. Slaton came in for his second relief appearance and got Washington to ground into a fielder's choice for the second out before Ehrlich's single put runners at first and second. Charlie Tilson then sent a slow grounder to Tommy Coyle at second, and Ehrlich slowed down and ran close to distract Coyle, whose throw went into the first base dugout to bring in the tying run. The next batter was Rodriguez, who broke the 3-3 tie with another home run over the fence in left to put the Cardinals ahead for good 6-3. They added two more runs against Slaton in the home eighth on a two run double by Martini for an 8-3 victory and an end to their five game losing streak.

NOTES: The Stone Crabs have alternated wins and losses over their last nine and have not won two straight games yetthey left seven runners on base over the final three innings, including the bases loaded in the eighthAidan Lucas (1-0) got the win in relief for the Cardinals, while Dixon Llorens earned his second savePalm Beach's bullpen has not allowed a run in 12.2 IP over the last four gamesthe Stone Crabs hit into three double playsGoeddel's home run was the 14th of his career and he finished 3-for-4O'Conner had his second two hit game of the seasonKes Carter went 0-for-3 with a walk after collecting at least two hits in three straight gamesRHP Nicholas Sawyer retired both batters he faced in the eighth after coming in for Slaton (0-1).

The Stone Crabs and Cardinals will both try and take the series in the third and final game on Saturday night at 6:05 PM. Leonel Santiago (0-2, 9.00 ERA) goes for his first win against the Cardinals Chad Jones (0-0, 10.13 ERA). You can follow all the action by listening to the game on www.stonecrabsbaseball.com via TuneIn Radio, or tuning into 91.7 FM-WVIJ in the Port Charlotte area. The Stone Crabs Pregame Show starts at 5:45 PM on the Stone Crabs Radio Network!

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