One night removed from an extra innings loss to the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Palm Beach Cardinals looked to win the series finale to take two games out of three from their divisional rivals. Jack Flaherty got the start on the afternoon for Palm Beach.
However, thanks to a great day from the Hammerheads’ Taylor Ard, Jupiter edged out the Cardinals in a 3-2 victory.
Ard finished 2-3 with three RBI’s, his first career three-RBI game.
“Felt pretty good to grab an early 2-0 lead,” Ard said. We hit a lull and grinded it out to clinch the series against our pseudo rivals. The RBI’s would not have been possible without Anderson, Schales and Kjerstad getting on base, so I tip my cap to them. The game really slowed down for me and I saw different assortment of pitches. It is huge to get this series win right before an off-day that gives us a chance to re-charge for the upcoming series.”
As for Palm Beach, Flaherty pitched five innings, allowing three hits, two runs (both of them earned), walked two and struck out seven batters. Ian McKinney entered the game next for the Cardinals and pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit, and taking the loss as he allowed the winning run to score.
The bats were pretty silent for the Cardinals as well on the afternoon. Some bright spots for the Palm Beach offense included Danny Diekroeger going 2-4 with two hits (one of which was a double), and Mikey Reynolds scoring a two-out RBI.
Esmerling De La Rosa earned the win pitching the final 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and one walk, but did not allow a run.
Throughout the course of the three game series against Jupiter, Palm Beach was held in check, as the pitching staff of the Hammerheads held them to a .186 batting average, an at .325 with 20 strikeouts in three games.
The Cardinals have an off-day tomorrow, and then travel on the road to face off against the Bradenton Marauders.
