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JUPITER, Fla-Chalk up Tuesday night's
game at Roger Dean Stadium as just another learning experience
for the Daytona Cubs in the first chapter of their 2005
story.
Just don't forget to turn the page because
chapter one is now officially in the books.
On the final game of the first half of
the Florida State League season, Daytona got torched by
the Palm Beach Cardinals to the tune of 10 runs on 11
hits including a nine-run bottom half of the second inning,
as the Cardinals jumped on top early and later cruised
to the Game 2 victory by a final of 10-3.
Daytona left-hander J.R. Mathes (5-3)
got the nod and was charged with the loss in his shortest
outing of the season, as the southpaw lasted only 1.2
innings and surrendered nine runs (four earned) on seven
hits.
In stark contrast Palm Beach righty Josh
Axelson (1-1) was sharp on the hill, and he notched his
first victory of the '05 campaign, tossing six innings
of three-run five-hit ball as he struck out eight Cubs
batters and walked only one.
The Cubs offense was dormant for most
of the evening, as first baseman Matt Creighton and designated
hitter Brian Dopirak were the only two starters to record
multiple hits in identical 2-for-4 performances at the
plate, with each adding a late inning double.
With the loss Daytona finished their
first half with a record of 35-32 as the Cardinals ended
with a ledger of 30-40.
After starting the season 4-0, the Cubs
first half results ended ironically like the month of
March: In like a lion, and out like a lamb.
But with a crop of fresh young arms and
a lineup determined to heat up like the July humidity,
the Cubs are primed and ready for a successful second
half.
Daytona will try to start off on the
right foot Wednesday, as the Cubs square off against the
Palm Beach Cardinals in the rubber match of their three
game series in Jupiter.
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