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Cards Inch Closer to Playoffs

September 1, 2004 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


The New Jersey Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) finished off a 3-game sweep of the Vermont Expos (Montreal Expos) tonight at Skylands Park, 4-3. Mike Gross (2-1) picked up the win for the Cardinals (38-34) while David Trahan (3-1) suffered the loss for the Expos (32-36). Cory Doyne worked the 9th for his 11th save of the season. In other New York Penn League action, Hudson Valley (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) was defeated by the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox), meaning that with the victory the Cardinals are just 1.5 games out of the wild card race.

Also with the win tonight, the Cardinals assured themselves of their 3rd winning record in franchise history. The only other two times the club has finished above .500 came in 1994 when they finished 43-32 and won the NY Penn League Championship, and in 2002 when they finished at 39-37 in Tom Shieldsfirst year as manager. The Aberdeen Ironbirds (Baltimore Orioles) lost to the Tri-City ValleyCats () tonight as well, meaning the Cardinals can finish no lower than 3rd place in the McNamara Division. It is only the 5th time the Cardinals have finished above 4th place (1994 1st, 1995 3rd, 1997 3rd, 2002 3rd).

The game was a see-saw battle the whole way as neither team could take the lead for long. After falling behind, 1-0, after the 2nd inning, the Cards got on the board in the 3rd. Matt Shepherd reached on an error and came around to score on a Wes Swackhamer ground out. Then after the Expos took the lead in the 4th inning, Tony Grandadillo scored when Shepherd reached on another error. The Cards took the lead in the 6th, but the Expos came right back to tie it in the 7th. In the bottom half of the inning, Sam Herbert led off with a double and scored when Brandon Yarbrough singled to left to give the Cards the 4-3 victory.

Tomorrow night the Cards continue their 6-game home stand as the Aberdeen Ironbirds (Baltimore Orioles) visit Skylands Park for the final regular season series of the year. Thursday, Phils Ford sponsors a Cardinals baseball giveaway, Friday night is fireworks night thanks to Miller Beer and the New Jersey Herald, and Saturday is Rally Cow Bobblehead giveaway day.



New York-Penn League Stories from September 1, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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