MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-JUPITER -- Tyler Robertson was strong through seven innings but Fort Myers was unable to mount a late rally in Monday's 4-2 defeat from the Palm Beach Cardinals.

The only blemish on Robertson's outing was a three-run third inning. The runs scored on two singles and a groundout, but the California lefty shut them down the rest of the way. He left after seven full innings having allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Robertson (5-4) lowered his season earned run average to 3.43.

Fort Myers had taken a 2-0 lead heading into that third inning against starter Chuckie Fick (3-2). Fick finished his day with two earned runs on nine hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out two. Fick exited in the sixth inning after a leadoff walk to Rene Leveret and a double down the right-field line by Nick Romero had put runners at second and third with none out. Palm Beach manager Tom Spencer summoned Jason Buursma from the bullpen, and the submariner induced a comebacker, swinging strikeout, and groundout to strand the runners.
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Just one day after scoring eight runs, the Miracle left eight on base and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The first seven hitters in the order, though, all recorded hits. The 5-6-7 tandem of Leveret, Romero, and Mark Dolenc combined to go 6-for-11 with a run scored, double, triple, and RBI. All three had two hits each.

Estarlin de los Santos started at shortstop for the first time after coming off the disabled list on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI triple. He made a throwing error in the seventh inning while attempting to turn a double play on a bunt. Robertson threw to second to cut down the lead runner, and de los Santos' toss ended up in the home dugout. He handled three grounders to his position without issue.

The series' rubber match is set for 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium.

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