Jupiter, FL – The Palm Beach Cardinals (55-40, 15-13) were held to three hits over the first eight innings as they lost 5-2 to the Charlotte Stone Crabs (45-51, 14-14) on Christmas in July.
Jake Woodford got the start and struggled early as he walked two batters and hit another in the first inning, but got out of it with a few ground balls. He then got in a hole early in the second inning. Jim Haley started the frame off with a single and got to second on a pickoff error on the first baseman Chris Chinea. Haley then score the first run of the game as Thomas Milone doubled him in. Peter Maris took the next pitch over the right field wall for a two-run shot to give Charlotte a 3-0 lead.
Helsley took over for Woodford in the fourth inning and went 4.2 of an inning giving up three hits and one run while walking three and striking out five. Helsley gave up his run in the seventh to Brett Sullivan as he doubled in Maris.
Brady Bowen finished the game out and gave up a run in the ninth to make it a 5-0 game in the ninth inning. The Cardinals sparked a little life into the game as Thomas Spitz hit a single with one out in the ninth inning. Chris Chinea hit a double getting Spitz to third. Jose Godoy grounded out driving in Spitz for the Cardinals first run of the game. Shane Billings singled in Chinea to make it a 5-2 game, but it ended there as Pina struck out looking to end the game.
