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Palm Beach Cardinals

Three Home Runs Power Cardinals to Victory

April 18, 2014 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Palm Beach Cardinals News Release


Jupiter, FL - Starlin Rodriguez clubbed two home runs and David Washington launched another to lead the Palm Beach Cardinals to an 8-3 victory over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Cardinals and evened the current series at one game apiece.

Rodriguez started the home run derby with a solo shot to left field in the first inning to give Palm Beach the early lead.

The Stone Crabs (5-10) were quick to respond with a three-run second inning against Cardinals starter Thomas Lee, but the Palm Beach bats were just warming up.

Trailing 3-1 in the fifth inning, Washington powered an opposite field home run over the wall in left-center field off Charlotte starter Austin Pruitt. Washington's third homer of the year was a solo shot to cut the Birds' deficit to 3-2.

The Cardinals (7-8) evened the score on a Charlotte throwing error in the seventh and took their first lead in four games with Rodriguez' second bomb. The Palm Beach left fielder lifted a three-run blast to left to put Palm Beach up 6-3. Adam Ehrlich and Charlie Tilson each reached on singles to get into position for Rodriguez.

Nick Martini padded the Cardinals' lead with a two-RBI double in the eighth to finish the scoring at 8-3.

In his first start since July 29, 2013, Lee was terrific on the mound for Palm Beach. He allowed three runs on six hits over six innings and came a few short feet from an even better performance. His only blemish was a three-run second inning. With two outs, the Stone Crabs pieced together three straight hits, including a home run off the bat of Tyler Goeddel that barely snuck inside of the left field foul pole.

Aidan Lucas and Dixon Llorens combined for three shutout innings of relief to finish the game for Lee. Despite allowing eight base runners over the span (four hits and four walks), Lucas and Llorens were able to make big pitches down the stretch to get out of tough jams. The biggest of all was a Llorens bases-loaded strikeout to end the eighth.

Lucas (1-0) earned his first win of the season while Llorens picked up his second save.

The Palm Beach bullpen hasn't allowed a run in 12.2 innings spanning the last four games.

Pruitt scattered six hits, allowed three runs, and struck out three over 6.1 innings for the Stone Crabs. D.J. Slaton (0-1) surrendered five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks to take the loss for Charlotte.

The Cardinals and Stone Crabs will finish the three-game series on Saturday night at Roger Dean Stadium. RH Cory Jones (0-0, 10.13) will make his third start of the year for Palm Beach and RH Leonel Santiago (0-2, 9.00) will start for Charlotte. Saturday night is Bristol Management Night at the ballpark, with fun for the whole family all game long. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

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