FSL1 Palm Beach Cardinals

Katz, Caldwell Power Cardinals to Victory

Published on July 2, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Palm Beach Cardinals News Release


Jupiter, FL - Mason Katz homered in his Class-A Advanced debut and Bruce Caldwell went deep yet again to lead the Palm Beach Cardinals over the Jupiter Hammerheads 5-3 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals lead the 2014 Fins vs. Feathers series 5-4 with eight games remaining.

Caldwell has been red hot at the plate for Palm Beach. For the fourth time in his last three games, Caldwell recorded a home run - a deep shot to right-center field. The solo blast tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning, and broke up Scott Lyman's no-hitter with two outs in the frame.

Caldwell is the second Palm Beach player to homer in three consecutive games this season. Anthony Garcia also accomplished the feat from April 10-12. Caldwell has six homers this year and all have come within the last month.

Katz couldn't have asked for a better debut for the Cardinals (9-4, 45-37). In his second at-bat in a Palm Beach uniform, Katz crushed a Lyman pitch over the left field wall and off the Jupiter clubhouse. The two-run shot broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth inning. Nick Martini, who led off the inning with a walk, scored on the play to put the Birds on top 3-1.

The Hammerheads (2-10, 29-52) got both runs back in the sixth inning thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Jesus Solorzano and an RBI triple from Josh Adams.

But Katz wasn't done with his big night. With the bases loaded in the seventh, the designated hitter smacked a deep fly ball to right field, bringing Luke Voit home on the sacrifice. Voit singled to lead off the inning, Martini doubled down the left field line and Garcia walked to create the traffic jam for Katz.

Cesar Valera followed Katz with an RBI single to right to plate Martini and put the Cardinals up 5-3 after seven complete.

Katz, who joined Palm Beach from Low-A Peoria on Tuesday, finished 1-for-2 with three RBI, a homer and a run scored to lead the Birds' offense.

Silfredo Garcia turned in his fifth quality start in eight games this season for the Cardinals. The right-hander allowed three runs on nine hits over six innings but didn't factor into the decision. He walked one and fanned four on the evening.

Thomas Lee (6-3) surrendered just one hit over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen and was credited with the win for the Cards. Iden Nazario, who has a 0.66 ERA (2ER/27.2IP) since April 30, picked up his fourth save of the year with 1.1 scoreless innings to finish the game.

Lyman was cruising along before Caldwell's homer in the fourth inning. The Jupiter starter retired the first 11 Cardinal hitters in the game. Lyman (3-8) took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits.

Solorzano finished a triple shy of the cycle and led the Sharks with a 3-for-4 showing at the dish. The right fielder doubled, homered and drove in two runs in the game.

The two teams will square off again on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium. LH Jimmy Reed (1-0, 2.70) will start for Palm Beach against RH Brad Penny (0-0, 0.00) for Jupiter. The game will be broadcast live on JupiterHammerheads.com.

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Florida State League Stories from July 2, 2014


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