FSL1 Palm Beach Cardinals

Mercado Shines Bright

April 13, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Palm Beach Cardinals News Release


Jupiter, FL - The Palm Beach Cardinals (6-1) defeated the Daytona Tortugas (3-4) on Oscar Mercado's 2-4 night at the plate.

The Rundown

Jack Flaherty got his second start of the 2016 season and pitched another five innings while giving up six hits, striking out one and walking one. He also was charged with one unearned run to his name.

Not much happened in the first two innings of work between the two teams and then the Cardinals ended up striking first in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. Mercado reached base on a two out triple to right field. Danny Diekroeger then drove him in on a single for his only hit of the night that extended his hit streak to six.

Daytona ended up getting a single the next at bat from Avain Rachal, but Flaherty induced the inning ending double play to keep the 1-0 lead intact. In the bottom half of the fourth inning, Tyler Mahle ended up getting an inning ending double play of his own to squander the Cardinals threat.

The fifth inning saw the Tortugas come back and tie the game. Jonathan Reynoso laid down a bunt back to Flaherty that ended up being thrown down the right field line allowing Reynoso to reach third. He would later score on a Blake Trahan sacrifice fly to centerfield. Flaherty would end up getting out of the inning surrendering only the one run.

The Cardinals would get the only other run scored in the contest during the bottom half of the seventh inning. Nick Thompson would reach base thanks to a leadoff walk by Jake Erhet. Thomspon would then advance to second on a deep fly out to center off the bat of Blake Drake. Thompson would reach third as Mikey Reynolds singled a ball to the right side and put runners on the corners with one away. Oscar Mercado would take the opportunity given to him and hit a fielder's choice to first that would bring the winning run home from third base.

The bullpen of Kyle Grana, Michael Heesh and Kyle Herget would end up not allowing a run over the final four innings of the ball game. They would only give up two hits between the three pitchers. Herget would record his third save on the year and Michael Heesh would get his first win on the 2016 season.

Stat of the Game

1 - The Cardinals held Daytona to one run on the night. The run was charged to Flaherty, but was an unearned run.

Notes

The Cardinals victory kept Palm Beach in first place one game over the St. Lucie Mets, as the Mets won as well 7-2 over Dunedin.

Mercado recorded a triple on Wednesday night, one night after the Cardinals recorded three.

Herget recorded his third save on the 2016 season in a perfect inning of work in the ninth with two strike outs. It was his second save in as many of days.

Diekroeger recorded another hit one the night as he extended his hitting streak to six games.

Next Up

The Cardinals will play the Daytona Tortugas for the final game of the four game homestand tomorrow at 6:30 EST. The Cardinals give the nod to Austin Gomber for his second start of the 2016 season, as the Tortugas will turn to Keury Mella.

Check out the Palm Beach Cardinals Statistics



Florida State League Stories from April 13, 2016


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