Cardinals and Nationals Split Twin Bill at Pelota Park

Ian Hoffstetter circles the bases after hitting a grand slam.

LA VERNE, May 18, 2017 — Baseball is a funny game. After the Cardinals whitewashed the Nationals by the stratospheric score of 31-0 in the opening game of their doubleheader on Wednesday night at Pelota Park, the Nats turned the tables in the nightcap by defeating the Cards 9-5, earning a split of the two games.

Early on in the second game, it appeared as if the Cardinals were well on their way to a sweep when they scored three runs in the top of the second, the key hit coming on an RBI double by J.T. Reilly, who would later score himself.

Hunter Vigil leaning in to get his signs came in and provided the Nats with late relief to win the game.

The Nats answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Hunter Vigil got things going with a single and Logan Moore and Josh Kim each collected walks.

In the top of the fourth, the Cards pulled out to a 5-2 lead on the strength of solo home run shots by Lucas Szabo and Tyler Holley. Both home runs sailed well beyond the outfield fence and into the night.

The Nationals, however, responded in the bottom of the inning by batting through the entire lineup. Ian Hoffstetter struck the decisive blow with a grand slam. When the damage was tallied up, the Nationals took a 9-5 lead, and that score held the rest of the way.

The game provided a solid tune-up for both teams with the playoffs set to begin next week at Pelota.

Coverage sponsored by La Verne Realtor Colleen Bennett, Sotheby’s International Realty (909.374.4744).

The Cards’ Tyler Holley gave maximum effort both on the mound and at the plate.