The Palm Beach Cardinals (27-12, 59-50) defeated the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 4 – 3, in the series finale of this
three game series at Roger Dean Stadium. After leading for five innings, Charlotte scored three runs in the top of the sixth to
take the lead. Palm Beach answered by scoring one run in the seventh and one in the eighth to earn the win.
The Beach Birds got off to a hot start, scoring two runs on four hits in the home half of the first inning. Casey Turgeon collected
his fifth double to get the momentum started for Palm Beach, and Collin Radack mimicked Turgeon by hitting a double as well.
The Cardinals second run came on Luke Voit’s single, upping his RBI total to 52 on the year.
Although he received no decision, Blake McKnight started his first game as a Beach Bird and first game since last season. In his
first start of 2015, McKnight threw five scoreless innings and allowed three hits. In tonight’s contest, Palm Beach used five
pitchers to secure the win. The fourth pitcher of the night, Tyler Melling, earned his second win of the season. Melling threw a
hitless eighth inning during his time on the mound. In the ninth, Josh Lucas collected his fifth save by retiring the Stone Crabs
in order and striking out two.
In the top of the sixth, the Stone Crabs took their one lead of the game by scoring three runs on three hits and a walk. From the
start of the inning, Lee Stoppelman entered the game to relieve McKnight after his five innings. Stoppelman retired the first
Stone Crab he faced, but found himself in trouble after allowing a hit and then throwing two wild pitches. With runners on the
corners, Mike Marjama found the green in left field to score Kean Wong. Willy Adames tested Palm Beach’s defense but was
tagged out by Stoppelman at third. With one out needed to end the inning, Keith Butler replaced Stoppelman. Granden Goetman
wasn’t fazed by the new pitcher, smacking the ball over the left field wall to take a 3 – 2 lead.
In his first game since May 31, Mason Katz returned to the lineup to play left field. To lead off the eighth inning, Katz doubled
by finding the gap in left center field. He advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then scored the tying run on Carson Kelly’s
ground out. The next inning, C.J. McElroy also doubled to lead off the inning and scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice.
The Beach Birds will continue their home stand on Friday, August 7, with game one of a three game series against the Fort
Myers Miracle. First pitch for tonight’s contest is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
