FSL1 Palm Beach Cardinals

Cards Break Through Tough Jays Pitching

Published on May 14, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Palm Beach Cardinals News Release


Jupiter, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals scored nine runs in three innings and got quality pitching for the fourth straight game to beat the Dunedin Blue Jays 9-2 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals are up 2-1 in the series.

After falling behind 2-0 in the fourth, the Cardinals (18-21) took control of the game in the fifth. The Redbirds scored nine runs in a three-inning span to go up 9-2 after the seventh inning. It is the most runs allowed by the Blue Jays this season.

Anthony Garcia, who came in for Charlie Tilson in the first inning, went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and a double for the Cardinals. Breyvic Valera, Ildemaro Vargas, David Washington, and Alex Mejia also had two hits apiece to pace the Birds at the plate. Valera recorded three RBI and Washington touched home a season-high three times to lead the offensive outburst.

Palm Beach scored three, two-out runs in the fifth to take the lead 3-2. Jesus Montero and Washington each connected for singles before Garcia drove in the Birds' first run of the game on an RBI single. Valera sent two more to the plate with a double down the left field line later in the frame.

The Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth inning and cashed in four more runs as a result. Bruce Caldwell doubled, Montero walked, and Washington was plunked by a pitch to create the traffic jam. Mejia hit an RBI groundout and Vargas chipped in a RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field. Garcia smoked a line drive off the left field wall to drive in a run and Valera beat out an infield single to plate Garcia and give the Cardinals a 7-2 lead.

Caldwell walked and scored in the seventh when Washington lined a single to the right field corner. The club's big first baseman made the trip home when Mejia doubled to the gap in left-center field to cap the scoring at 9-2.

Thomas Lee (4-2) had another big night on the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings to pick up his third straight quality start. He surrendered a solo home run to Emilio Guerrero in the fourth and the Jays connected for three straight singles to score a second run off Lee later in the inning.

But Lee found his form again and retired the next seven batters to finish the night. He struck out four in the game. In his last three starts, Lee is 3-0 with a 2.41 ERA (5ER/18.2IP) and has struck out 10 batters while not issuing a walk.

Palm Beach starters have turned in four straight quality starts and have a 2.08 ERA (6ER/26.0IP) during the span.

Iden Nazario and Aidan Lucas finished the game with a combined three scoreless innings of relief for the Cardinals.

Dunedin starter Ben White (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 innings and took the loss for the Jays.

Despite the lopsided result, the Blue Jays (27-11) still hold the best team ERA in the Florida State League at 2.39 - 54 points higher than the second best mark.

Palm Beach and Dunedin will wrap up the four-game set on Thursday morning at Roger Dean Stadium. RH Joe Cuda (0-4, 9.78 ERA) will start for the Cards against RH Jesse Hernandez (2-1, 3.21 ERA) for the Jays. First pitch is at a special 10:35 a.m. start with the first of Roger Dean Stadium's 2014 Education Days. Hundreds of children will be on hand to learn about the game of baseball. The game will be broadcast live on PalmBeachCardinals.com.

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Florida State League Stories from May 14, 2014


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