The Cardinals held the Marauders to just 5 hits and 2 runs in Bradenton on Thursday. �Two of those hits were by CF Robbie Grossman, and SS Brock Holt, RF Austin McClune, and 2B Greg Picart had one hit apiece. �The Marauders did pick up 4 walks too.
The Marauders had runners on base in 4 of the first 6 innings, but didn't get a runner past second base in any of those innings. �In the 7th, with two outs, Austin McClune and Greg Picart hit back-to-back singles. �The Cardinals changed pitchers, and Brock Holt greeted the new reliever with a double into right field, scoring both runners, including Picart all the way around from first base. �That was all Bradenton could get though, as they went down in order in the 8th, and had three batters strike out around a walk in the 9th.
Starter Brian Leach had trouble right away in the top of the 1st. �He gave up a lead-off single, a walk, and a 3-run homer, to give the Cardinals an early 3-run lead. �Leach gave up walks in each of the innings he pitched, for a total of 7 walks in 4.1 innings. �He worked around the walks in the 2nd and 3rd, and worked around two walks in the 4th. �The 5th inning began with 2 walks, then a single to load the bases. �The next Cardinal batter grounded to third, and 3B Jeremy Farrell fired back to C Tony Sanchez to force out the lead runner, but Sanchez made a throwing error on the relay to first base, and that allowed a run to score. �A double into center field brought in two more runs, to give Palm Beach a 6-0 lead.
Mike Felix relieved Leach and finished the 5th inning. �He pitched the next two innings and gave up 3 walks, but two timely double plays kept the Cardinals from scoring again. �Mike Colla retired the side in order in the 8th, and Diego Moreno pitched a scoreless 9th, allowing a double.
